184: Prosecco's Success Story (and Snob Disdain) with Stevie Kim of Vinitaly

How did Prosecco lead the way for many people discovering Italian wines, and then why did it get so much hate? How can "Mamma Jumbo Shrimp" help you as a wine lover? Is food or wine the main protagonist of most meals?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with the founder of Vinitaly and host of the Italian Wine Podcast, Stevie Kim.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights What’s the best way for you to find Italian wines you might love? Why does Prosecco get so much hate from wine snobs? What are the different types of Prosecco available now? Why are Etna DOC wines so popular right now? Where did the “Jumbo Shrimp” name come from? How does Stevie’s brand “Mamma Jumbo Shrimp” help wine lovers? What is Stevie’s controversial perspective on food and wine pairing? How would Stevie pair her favourite childhood food with wine? What’s Stevie’s top tip for wine lovers?   Key Takeaways The story of Prosecco’s success in helping many people discover Italian wines, and then its plunge into ridicule by snobs has so many parallels in the wine world (think Chardonnay and Merlot) and beyond (think of certain movie stars and singers). Fortunately, there’s incredible value in this sparkling wine and it will persist, or you could say my love for it will go on and on. I love the concept of "Mamma Jumbo Shrimp" to help wine lovers understand Italian wines. Despite Stevie making a strong case for food being the main protagonist of the meal, I remain a wine-first kinda gal just like I buy the earrings, then the outfit.   About Stevie Kim Stevie Kim was born in Korea and raised in the United States. Today, she lives in Verona, Italy. She attended the New York University – Leonard N. Stern School of Business. After settling in Italy, she obtained an MBA at Bocconi University, School of Economics and Management. Later, she achieved a postgraduate specialization in Wealth Management at the University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School. Stevie is currently studying for her WSET Diploma, from the Weinakademie Österreich in Rust, Austria. As Managing Director of Vinitaly International, Stevie Kim has launched and now coordinates a series of new initiatives connected to the Vinitaly brand. As a Professional Wine Groupie, Stevie is always seeking innovative ways to communicate Italian wine – with a strong creative emphasis on social media and educational platforms. In 2017, Stevie produced the Italian Wine Podcast, the first podcast in English dedicated exclusively to Italian wine and its personalities. She also carries out various editorial projects, one of the latest being The Jumbo Shrimp Guide to Italian Wine and The Jumbo Shrimp Guide to International Grape Varieties in Italy. The books are reference guides, designed to simplify the complex world of Italian wine. Last year, Stevie started her On The Road Edition travels to wineries and regions across Italy, airing every week on the Mamma Jumbo Shrimp YouTube channel.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/184.