New Year’s Eve is almost here and we at the Italian American Podcast thought we should bring in a special guest to help us point you in the direction of Italy’s best “bubblies” so that when the Ball drops, and you pop the cork you could know exactly which Italian sparkling wine should be in your glass!

But, Christian Galliani, Founder of ‘Wine for the 99’ (not to mention the co-founder of “Arthur Avenue Food Tours” and “Feast on History”) is much more than a prosecco connoisseur… he’s a brilliant sommelier with an expertise in Southern Italian wines! So, while he’ll certainly be sharing his recommendations for the best sparkling Italian whites to bring to your New Year’s Eve parties tomorrow night, and we will discuss some of Italy and Italian America’s more unique New Year’s customs, this episode turned out to be a brilliant Master Class for listeners ranging from sophisticated oenophiles to those who can’t tell the difference between white and red.

And, since Christian decided to bring some of his favorites to the studio, he and John will make their way through a delicious bottle of prosecco while discussing the history of wine, its place in the Italian culture, and why there is a bottle fit for every drinker. Besides all the fascinating history, and increasingly frequent stutters and hiccups, you’ll want to hear which is Europe’s best recent vintage… so universally great that Christian recommends grabbing ANY European bottle you see from that year. Plus, these two will take you on a tour of Southern Italy’s seven Regions to get insights into this Somm’s favorites! We’ve listed a few below… but you’ll learn about dozens of great finds throughout this laugh-filled, Year Ending episode!

Wine for the 99
Feast of History
Borgo la Pietraia

What We’re Drinking in Studio:

Carpene Malvolti ‘1868 Brut’, Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG, Italy
2013 Terrazze dell’Etna Cuvee Brut, Sicily, Italy
San Salvatore ‘Ceraso’ Aglianico Paestum IGT, Campania, Italy

Christian’s Southern Italian Picks:

Abruzzo & Molise-
Emedio Pepe
Masciarelli Marina Cvetic S. Martino Rosso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy

Puglia-
Gianfranco Fino ‘Es’ Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia, Italy
Angelo Rocca Figli Sirocco Negro Amaro Primitivo Italy Puglia

Campania-
Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Rosso Irpinia, Campania, Italy

Calabria-
Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico, Calabria, Italy
Librandi ‘Gravello’ Val di Neto Rosso IGT, Calabria, Italy

Basilicata (Vulture)-
Vestini Campagnano Kajanero Terre del Volturno IGT, Campania, Italy

Sicily-
Armosa Siclys Nero d’Avola IGP Sicily, Italy
Donnafugata ‘Mille e Una Notte’ Contessa Entellina, Sicily, Italy

Grazie Mille,
The Italian American Podcast Team