Best Campania Podcasts (2024)

1
Uncovering Italian Ancestry: A Journey Through History and DNA 49:39

3h ago49:39

49:39

Send us a Text Message. When John Vallillo lost his mother in 2005, he had no idea it would ignite a passionate journey into uncovering his Italian roots. Join us as John takes us through the meticulous process of tracing his great-grandfather Giovanni Vallillo's story, including the surprising discovery that Giovanni's name was altered at a cemete…

1
WTF is Agiorgitiko? (This Greek red wine is a hidden gem, a must-learn wine) 39:00

3h ago39:00

39:00

Don’t sleep on Agiorgitiko! You may not be familiar with Greek wines - or know how to pronounce them (we didn’t!) - but this is a wine that deserves to be on your must-learn list! Agiorgitiko is a hidden gem in the wine world - a versatile red that comes in different styles, goes well with tons of foods, and can be found at very reasonable prices. …

1
Costco Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel Challenge! (Kirkland wines vs. similarly priced wines) 42:26

6d ago42:26

42:26

Sometimes being old is good. Aged cheddar? Check. Vintage cars? Yep. Antique furniture Fo’ Sho’! Old Vine Zinfandel? You bet your a$$. In this episode, we return to one of our much beloved Kirkland Signature Challenges, and this week we pit the Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel against similarly priced and easy to find Old Vine Zinfandels to se…

1
Reviving Ancient Traditions: The Renaissance of Calabria’s Silk Industry 35:12

9d ago35:12

35:12

Send us a Text Message. What happens when you mix age-old traditions with the passion of modern entrepreneurs? Join us as we uncover the inspiring story of Miriam Pugliese, co-owner of Nido di Seta, who left the bustle of Milan to breathe new life into Calabria’s ancient silk industry. Miriam, along with her partners Domenico and Giovanna, transfor…

1
Great American Sparklers: 2024 Edition! (California Brut Sparkling Wines for the 4th of July - or Anytime!) 39:10

13d ago39:10

39:10

What’s more American than sparkling wine?!? Seriously, we make a lot of sparkling wine in the U.S. and we drink a lot of sparkling wine, too! And we think there is hardly anything better on warm summer afternoons and evenings than a nice glass of bubbly! Don’t save sparkling just for serious occasions. And on July 4th?!? Sparkling wine is perfectio…

1
Unveiling Italian Heritage: Sannicandro Di Bari 41:46

15d ago41:46

41:46

Send us a Text Message. Unlock the secrets of Italian genealogy with our guest, John Ruscigno, whose passion for family history was sparked by the remarkable legacy of his 102-year-old grandfather. Faced with language barriers and misinformation, John shares his inspiring tale of perseverance, detailing how he turned to a research company and Ellis…

1
Getting Serious About Rosé #1: Pinot Noir Rosé (Choose a Rosé based on the red wines you like!) 37:59

20d ago37:59

37:59

We admit it, we have not always been fair to Rosé, but starting today, we are going to set the record straight! If you think you don’t like Rosé, it may be because you have not yet met a Rosé you like. And the key to finding a Rosé you like is to start with a red wine you like and then finding a Rosé made from that wine. Because, afterall, Rosé is …

1
Unlocking the Secrets of Your Emotional DNA with Judy Wilkins-Smith 42:20

26d ago42:20

42:20

Send us a Text Message. Unlock the secrets within your emotional DNA and transform your life with Judy Wilkins-Smith, our esteemed guest, as she guides us through the intricate layers of inherited emotional patterns. You'll discover how thoughts, feelings, and actions passed down through generations shape your decisions and behaviors today. By unde…

1
The Legacy of Italian Roots and Family History 46:36

28d ago46:36

46:36

Send us a Text Message. What if unraveling your family's past could lead you on an unexpected adventure across oceans and through centuries? Join us as Chris Francese, a passionate member of the Italian American Association of the Township of Ocean, recounts his incredible journey into his Italian lineage, all sparked by a simple school project. Th…

1
Italian Wine Adventure #12: Dolcetto! (Similar to Gamay, the Sommelier’s secret weapon) 46:05

27d ago46:05

46:05

From the great wine region of Piedmont, Italy comes the red wine called Dolcetto, which means “little sweet one” - but don’t be fooled, this is not a sweet wine, although it is a red wine with flavors and aromas of crunchy red fruit. In our latest Italian Wine Adventure, we travel back to one of our favorite wine areas to see if Dolcetto should be …

1
Heritage Stories and Culinary Traditions 46:14

30d ago46:14

46:14

Send us a Text Message. Ready to uncover the rich tapestry of Italian and American genealogy? Join us as we embark on a fascinating journey with Jack and Mary Ciaccia, tracing Jack’s roots back to the regions of Taranto and Messina in Sicily, and Mary’s lineage to the early American settlers of Jamestown in 1608. Discover connections to notable fig…

1
Malbec: The Ultimate Summer Cookout Wine! (A lush, fruity, inexpensive crowd-pleaser) 40:58

1M ago40:58

40:58

Summer is here, and that means cookouts with family and friends! If you are wondering what kind of wine would be a crowd-pleaser and pair well with food and fun, we have the perfect answer: Malbec! This juicy, well-balanced wine from Argentina is an inexpensive wine that doesn’t taste or drink like it's inexpensive. You may ask why would a wine fro…

1
Unveiling the Past: Italian and Chinese Ancestry 53:29

1M ago53:29

53:29

Send us a Text Message. Ever wondered what it takes to trace your family roots across continents and eras? Join us on an enthralling journey with our special guest, Stephanie Larimore, as she uncovers the layers of her multicultural heritage. From starting her genealogical quest with 23andMe to delving deep into Ancestry, Stephanie's adventure reve…

1
From Sicily to San Diego: Preserving Italian Heritage 33:59

1M ago33:59

33:59

Send us a Text Message. What if your family's immigration story bypassed the iconic Ellis Island, heading straight to the sunny shores of San Diego? Join us as we sit down with Tom Cesarini, founder of Convivio, who uncovers his rich Sicilian heritage and shares his family's unique journey to America. From working in a macaroni factory to establish…

1
Minisode #13: Help! I Don’t Know How to Love White Wine! (Use the B-FAST method to learn to love White Wine) 17:58

1M ago17:58

17:58

We introduce you to the B-FAST method in this minisode so you can become a white wine lover. What’s that you say, you’ve never heard of the B-FAST method? Well, that’s because it is a Wine Pair Podcast original! To love a thing, you have to learn about a thing, and you have to spend time with a thing. You can’t just go with your first impression! Y…

1
Embracing Our Italian Lineage and Cultural Quests 51:15

2M ago51:15

51:15

Send us a Text Message. Embark with Maggie Workman and me on a voyage through time as we trace our Italian lineages from the cobblestone streets of Onano, Viterbo to the bustling avenues of America. Our conversation meanders through generational tales that piece together a mosaic of our Italian-American identities, blending personal experiences wit…

1
Minisode #12: What Are the Noble Grapes? (And Why Should You Care?) 14:17

2M ago14:17

14:17

When it comes to wine grapes, it’s ok to play the field, but it is a good idea to get to know the Noble Grapes. And the good news is - you may already be really familiar with them. That’s because many of the most popular wines and wine blends, both red and white, are often made of these grapes. But what makes them Noble? We’ll tell you! And does th…

1
A Deep Dive into Italian Genealogical Records 59:42

2M ago59:42

59:42

Send us a Text Message. Embark on an ancestral odyssey with Katherine Pennavaria, whose blend of scholarly rigor and personal passion for genealogy unveils the remarkable layers of Italian history hidden within civil records. Our exploration takes you through the twists and tales of Katherine's Italian lineage, revealing how the meticulous document…

1
Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #8: Jennie Murphy of Oxlee Graham Wines! (From forensics to wine making, being a woman in the wine industry 41:57

2M ago41:57

41:57

Jennie Murphy is, like her grandmothers who she named her winery after, a tough, resilient, and determined woman. After losing her home in the 2017 wine country fires, she started to seriously think about starting her own winery. We learned a ton about the winemaking world in our conversation with her - things that the average wine drinker never th…

1
Journey to Italy's Soul with Phil Micali 54:48

2M ago54:48

54:48

Send us a Text Message. Embark with us on an intimate voyage into the heart of Italy's cultural tapestry, guided by Phil Micali of Philitaly. We weave through the narratives of Phil's ancestors, in regions steeped in tradition and history. The discovery of our roots takes on new meaning as we traverse the landscape of Molise, Basilicata, and Sicily…

1
WTF is White Grenache? (AKA Garnatxa Blanca and Grenache Blanc, an underrated white wine, an alternative for Chardonnay lovers, a good summer wine) 38:48

2M ago38:48

38:48

Yes, it’s true, they make Grenache is white as well as red! And it’s a great summer wine! Popular in the Catalonia area of Spain where it is known as Garnatxa Blanca, and in the Rhône area of France where it is often used as a blending grape and known as Grenache Blanc, White Grenache is a tasty, complex, and food friendly white wine that deserves …

1
Preserving Stories and Legacies with Peek Into The Past 34:46

2M ago34:46

34:46

Send us a Text Message. Embarking on a genealogical quest that spans continents and centuries, I had the chance to sit down with Jim Rothgeb, the visionary behind Peek Into The Past. Together, we unraveled the threads of ancestry that connect us to the echoes of history, with Jim recounting his profound experience of holding artifacts that once bel…

1
Spain’s Answer to Champagne: Cava! (A step up from Prosecco at a similar price) 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

A 10 point wine in this episode! If you want a higher-class alternative to Prosecco at the same price point, then Cava is your wine. Cava is an underrated sparkling wine from Spain that is made in the same way as Champagne, but at a fraction of the cost. Cava is unique among sparkling wines - it is made with native Spanish grapes like Macabeo, Xare…

1
WTF is Txakoli? (Fizzy, fruity, and fun dry white wine from Spain, aka Txakolina) 43:17

3M ago43:17

43:17

It may be hard to pronounce and spell, but is it ever easy to drink! In this episode, we introduce you to a fun, quaffable, and not so serious wine called Txakoli which hails from the Basque region of Spain. Sometimes also called Txakolina, this slightly fizzy white wine is a perfect summer sipper. While tasting it, we had visions of sitting by the…

1
An Italian-American Tale of Migration, War, and Family Bonds 38:39

3M ago38:39

38:39

Send us a Text Message. Have you ever been captivated by the stories of your ancestors, the journeys they embarked on, and the experiences that shaped their lives? In our latest episode, we're joined by Arnie Aranci, whose Italian-American roots are as rich and flavorful as the cuisine of his heritage. Arnie enthralls with tales of his father's mig…

1
Retracing Italian Family History from Torino to São Paulo and back 45:30

3M ago45:30

45:30

Send us a Text Message. Embark on an intimate odyssey with our guest Regina Vighetto, as she unveils her family's vibrant migration tapestry from Italy to the coffee farms of São Paulo, Brazil. Her tale is one of resilience and discovery, and unearthing a narrative enriched by ancestral dreams and the quest for prosperity in a new world. As Regina …

1
Costco Kirkland Signature 2019 Rioja Reserva Challenge! (A punch-you-in-the-face wine, perfect base for Sangria, for Cab Sauv lovers) 43:22

3M ago43:22

43:22

Rioja is the big dog of Spanish wines, but the question on everyone’s lips is - how does the Costco Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva stack up to other Riojas? Amiright?!? Well, without giving it away, we’re here to tell you that the Kirkland Signature Rioja is a worthy contender! But did it win in a knockout, or was it a draw? You’ll have to listen…

1
The Timeless Allure of Penne Nestled in the Abruzzo Region 15:37

3M ago15:37

15:37

Send us a Text Message. Uncover the secrets of Penne as Antonio Baldacchini from the Council of Community Planning joins us for an enchanting exploration of Abruzzo's mesmerizing landscapes and historical tapestry. Step back in time to discover a town where the past lingers in the cobblestoned streets and the future blossoms from the community's vi…

1
Spain’s Hidden Gem: Priorat! (One of the great wines of Spain, Grenache-based red wine) 38:16

3M ago38:16

38:16

When we say hidden gem, we are not kidding! When people think of Spanish red wines, they immediately think of Rioja, but don’t sleep on Priorat. Hailing from the Catalonia area of Spain, Priorat is a Grenache-based red wine blend that completely blew away our expectations! Rich, complex, and oh so drinkable, this is a wine that deserves a lot more …

1
Discovering Cultural Roots in East Harlem, Bari and Ponce 59:39

3M ago59:39

59:39

Send us a Text Message. As distant cousins intertwined by Puerto Rican roots, Valerie Evans joins us to unravel the vibrant story of her dual Italian and Puerto Rican lineage. Our conversation traverses the multicultural neighborhoods of East Harlem, brushes through the historical cobblestones of Sannicandro di Bari and Salerno, and touches on the …

1
High QPR Pinot Noir #4! (How the American wine palate has been programmed by big wine, Pinot is a polarizing wine) 43:30

3M ago43:30

43:30

Pinot Noir can be a polarizing wine - some people love it, and some people just don’t get it. We think that happens for a few reasons. First, most wine drinkers have been trained to think that wines are supposed to taste like Cabernet Sauvignon - big, fruit forward, high in alcohol, and very tannic. Which is just not what a great Pinot tastes like.…

1
Wallet-Friendly Wine Reviews: Two Buck Chuck and More! (Reviewing wines under $5, cheap Cabernet Sauvignon, some pleasant and unpleasant surprises) 43:35

3M ago43:35

43:35

Believe it or not, 73% of the wine purchased in the United States is sold for less than $8. So, there are a LOT of people drinking those wines! But they don’t often get reviews, and so we thought we would take some time to taste and review some value wines to see just how different they are from slightly more expensive wines. The results: one of th…

1
Echoes of Our Ancestry: A Journey Through Italian Heritage 1:04:17

4M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

Send us a Text Message. Stepping through the cobblestone streets of my ancestral town, I was embraced by whispers of my past, the tales and traditions of my Italian heritage echoing around me. Now, I invite you to join Jerry Taverna and me through a riveting journey of discovery, from sulfur mines in Sicily and old family stories from Monopoli beco…

1
Bordeaux Bargains #1! (Haut-Médoc and Graves, Left Bank, why Bordeaux wines are so tricky to understand) 48:30

4M ago48:30

48:30

Bordeaux is home to some of the most famous - and most expensive - wines in the world. But can you find a great wine at a great price?!? You can!!! There is no reason to spend more than $20 a bottle to find highly rated and very enjoyable wines from this classic region. In this episode, we focus on Left Bank wines, and we bring that up because Bord…

1
Preserving Our Roots: Embracing the Italian Legacy Through Family Narratives 1:09:04

4M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Send us a Text Message. My grandmother's laugh always had a way of transporting me to her tiny Italian village, a place I'd never been but felt I knew intimately through her stories. This week's episode is a heartfelt homage to the power of family narratives, where Peggy, Josephine, Becky, Frank, Mirella, Ed and I share our adventures in preserving…

1
WTF is Muscadet? (Melon de Bourgogne, the Sur Lie method, batonnage, the ultimate fish wine, the best French white wine under $20?) 41:50

4M ago41:50

41:50

If you’re like us, French wines can feel so confusing - and that’s exactly why we do these WTF episodes! This week, we dive into a great French white wine called Muscadet, which is not to be confused with Muscat or Moscato (which are, by the way, the same thing). Muscadet is a wine made in the Loire Valley from the grape Melon de Bourgogne - and th…

1
A Nostalgic Look into Italian Heritage and the American Dream 43:37

4M ago43:37

43:37

Send us a Text Message. Embarking on a nostalgic journey to the heart of Italian-American life, we sit down with Margaret Fontana, more affectionately known as the Italian American Girl. Her story unfolds like a rich tapestry woven with threads of cultural heritage and familial pride, offering an intimate glance at the Italian-American dream. Marga…

1
Italian Wine Adventure #11: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo! (An underrated and underappreciated Italian beauty, the ultimate cookout wine) 43:04

4M ago43:04

43:04

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an easy wine to overlook. It is inexpensive, easy to find, and does not have the cachet that a Chianti or Barolo or Amarone has. But we are here to tell you that you should take a second look at this underappreciated and underrated Italian wine! In this episode, we tasted and reviewed three easy to find and reasonably pri…

1
How Good Are Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Wines? (TJ’s is a great, inexpensive place to expand your wine horizons, is high-end cheap worth the price?) 48:29

5M ago48:29

48:29

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve wines are meant to compare with wines twice their price, and are said to be top wines from top winemakers in some of the most prestigious wine-growing regions, but just how good are they really? We seek to answer that question to save you time and money. In this episode, we try three different Platinum Reserve wines fr…

1
Unearthing the Tales of Italian Lineage: A Conversation with Abruzzo Ancestors 1:06:22

5M ago1:06:22

1:06:22

Send us a Text Message. Embark on an emotional journey through time as we sit down with the remarkable duo from Abruzzo Ancestors, Davide Castellucci and Giulia Scappaticccio, who bring the hidden narratives of Italian lineage to light. The rolling hills of Abruzzo, steeped in the heritage of Italy's emigrants, serve as the backdrop for tales that …

1
WTF is Pinotage? (And WTF is Coffee Pinotage? South Africa’s signature wine) 44:59

5M ago44:59

44:59

Ok, let’s be honest. Pinotage is a TRIP. It is like no other wine we have ever had before, and is flat out an experience that you have to try. You may not love it, or even like it, but you have to try it. Especially the Coffee Pinotage which in and of itself is an adventure (and is really a thing)! Pinotage is a wine that was invented in South Afri…

1
Ancestral Bonds and Literary Pursuits 37:18

5M ago37:18

37:18

Send us a Text Message. Imagine being born to the wail of tornado sirens on a North Dakota nuclear missile base—that's the dramatic start to author Ryan Byrnes' incredible journey which he shares with us. His life, shaped by the wanderlust of a military family and rooted in a rich Italian heritage, unfolds in a narrative as compelling as his fictio…

1
Costco Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir Challenge! (The pros and cons of Costco’s wine selection, why few experts review Costco wines, Kirkland Signature Russian River Pinot Noir review) 44:59

5M ago44:59

44:59

Costco sells a TON of wine, but finding expert reviews of their Kirkland Signature wines can be very tricky. We are happy to help fill that void! Find out why few wine reviewers bother to review Costco Kirkland Signature wines, and where you can find some pretty reliable reviews for those wines. But, most importantly, find out what we think of the …

1
Josh Wines Are . . . Meh. (The truth behind the hype. BTW, we did not give this episode a title until after we tasted the wines in our recording!) 45:59

5M ago45:59

45:59

Josh Cellars wine has been all over social media recently, but the real question is - is it worthy of the hype?!? We gave Josh Cellars an honest-to-goodness opportunity to impress us. We tasted and reviewed three different Josh Cellar wines just to make sure that we were getting a proper sense of the breadth of their products, and the results were …

1
From Triggiano to St. Paul an Italian American Success Story 50:42

5M ago50:42

50:42

Send us a Text Message. Every family has a story stitched into the fabric of America's diverse tapestry, but few recount it with the warmth and wisdom of Rock LaManna. As Rock takes us back to his childhood home in St. Paul, Minnesota, we're invited to the dinner table of an 11-child family, where faith and hard work aren't just values—they're the …

1
Sweet Dessert Wines for Your Sweetheart! (Wines for Valentine’s Day, Savoring a meal and time with family and friends, WTF is fortified wine) 49:51

5M ago49:51

49:51

If you think you are not a fan of dessert wines, we believe we can change your mind - because we changed our own minds in this episode! Dessert wines are perfect for romantic evenings, but also a great excuse to slow down and extend a meal with family, friends, and loved ones. If you are looking for something special to do this Valentine’s Day, ser…

1
Rhythms of Resilience The Italian-Australian Immigrant Experience 34:42

6M ago34:42

34:42

Send us a Text Message. Embark with me on a heartfelt odyssey that traces the waves of Italian immigration to Australia's sunny shores, anchored by my own family's saga. Hear how my Calabrese and Roman roots intertwine with the broader tapestry of the Italian community down under, including the brave journey of my grandfather in 1952. The stories o…

1
Nourishing the Soul with Italian American Stories 1:06:02

6M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Send us a Text Message. Have you ever sat at a family gathering, basking in the warm glow of shared stories and home-cooked meals, and wondered about the heroes who shaped those beside you? Get ready to embark on an intimate journey through the lives of Italian American podcasters as they unveil the cherished icons of their childhood. From the velv…

1
Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #7: Drew Perry! (They make wine in Michigan! Head Winemaker for Simpson Family Estates: Good Harbor Vineyards and Aurora Cellars) 47:18

6M ago47:18

47:18

Did you know they make wine in Michigan. Yes, yes it’s true! And not only that, they make REALLY GOOD wine in Michigan. Don’t believe us? Then you need to listen to our interview with Drew Perry from Simpson Family Estates, home of Good Harbor Vineyards and Aurora Cellars and we’ll set you straight! We had the great honor of interviewing Drew who, …

1
Journey of Heart and Heritage: An Italian American Tale of Immigration and Entrepreneurship 28:35

6M ago28:35

28:35

Send us a Text Message. Embark on an emotional odyssey with Diane Marie Pisera as she recounts her voyage from the picturesque Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia to the bustling heartbeat of New York State. In her narratives of youthful summers spent in Calabria and the significant life shift of immigrating to America, Pisera's story is a vibr…

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Campania Podcasts

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