Ep. 2293 Ryan Lewis | Grandi Langhe 2025

The evolution of Grande Langge is just yeah. How has it evolved over the years? And seeing it grow with the number of producers, seeing it grow with the number of international buyers, and it's been almost a privilege to be part of that. And see it change as I say with my own eyes rather than being told, it's an exciting time. It's really good. And I'm so happy I need to add this, Stevie. It's really important that it's good to see that the region is investing in themselves. As the official media partner, the Italian Win podcast is excited to present exclusive coverage from Grande Alanga, El Pemonte Delvino twenty twenty five. This special series feature first send perspective from top producer and buyers, as they navigate new style, vineyard innovations, and shifting global markets. Discover, expert takes, hidden gems, and the trends shaping the region's future. Tune in every Friday, trivium, or visit Italian when podcast dot com for more. Hello. Welcome back. My name's Stevie Kim, and this is the Italian wine podcast on the road edition. We are here at Grandilanga two thousand twenty five. This is Ryan Lewis from Liverpool. Ryan, would you like to tell our audience a little bit about yourself what you do, especially when it comes to Piedmont wines? Yeah. Sure. Hi, guys. Ryan Lewis here from Henry Vines UK. And we are very passionate about working with producers that represent their regions, indigenous grapes, I guess, are the two important words for us. Which new or emerging PMont wine stars have caught your eye this year? That's an interesting question. There's been a few of them. I guess one that stands out for me in the experience that we've had just today at the event is favorita. Favorita, I think is the standout one if I had to choose it from a few others, definitely. Okay. Have you noticed any specific trends in winemaking or vineyard management techniques among producers this year? If I'm honest, I wouldn't say I have noticed anything too specific, you know, at the end of the day, we know what we enjoy, what we can pass on to our customers, the techniques, that's a tough one, if I'm honest, as I say from a buyer's point of view. We're very, conscious that the producers are keen to work with natural ways of working, I guess. What are international buyers? Like yourselves. Right? Currently, or your customers. Are your customers mostly trade? Like restaurants and hotels? Okay. What are they looking for now in Piedmont wine? Well, I mean, we are so lucky we have the best of both worlds, not just with restaurants, the horror sector, but with private clients as well since the crazy lockdown times. But they're looking for new exciting things, new exciting wines, grapes, In particular for us, we, as I say, it's hidden vines. It's in our name, I guess, that they want to know, they want to know what's being developed by the producers. We know this fantastic region is all about Barolo and barbaresco. But we would love to introduce them to the new varieties that we're discovering. How many times have you come to Gandhi? This now, I think it's either my fourth or fifth time if I remember correctly after at this great. And I love the evolution. The evolution of Grande Langay is just yeah. How has it evolved over the years? Oh, well, I've seen it with my own eyes rather than hearing from other people and seeing it grow with the number of producers. Seeing it grow with a number of international buyers, and it's just it's been almost the privilege to be part of that and see it change as I say with my own eyes rather than being told by someone else and to see another haul been added this year. It's an exciting time. It's really good. And I'm so happy. I need to add this, Stevie. It's really important that it's good to see that the region is investing in themselves. So which out of this, right, producers or wine labels have surprised you the most? Well, I mentioned to Avarita before. Yeah. Nachetta, for sure, you know, again, an interesting grape, but not many producers have. Albarossa was a discovery we made earlier. I actually don't remember tasting it before. Maybe. Maybe. I don't know if you wanna be nice. But But but are there any producers that specifically that sticks out? Oh, producers for me. Yeah. I would say I love to see what to Rossello has done. They're based outside of Albert, about half an hour south of Albert, if I remember. They're bringing in the Alta language, the bubbles. The classic method, which taking from twenty four months on lease to thirty six to their new project. Now it's forty eight months on lease, and I would try that for the first time today. We've been lucky to try, you know, lots of new things today, but that one stands out for sure. So you spoke about Nacheta Pavorita. Right. Have you encountered any unexpected grape varieties or up and coming terroars here at Gandhiange? I think I mentioned it earlier with that Alba Rosa was the unexpected one for me personally from not really knowing anything about it and discovering a couple of producers today, I filled my notebook so many times over. I think I wrote more notes today than I ever have done at any other event. So it's it's been great to discover this. And looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest opportunity for wines from Piamonte from where you are. Your local market, which is, by the way, what exactly? Well, northwest of UK. Okay. Northwest of UK. Okay. Yeah. The opportunities are there. I think the producers know the opportunities that are there by developing their range of wines, developing their techniques that you've already mentioned, the ways of working. I think people are excited to know that Paimon is not just about the borollos, the barbaresco's, about gavi. Sorry. I didn't say that before, but there's so many other grapes, indigenous grapes to be discovered. And I think that's what people are excited about. The producers know this, and I think the producers are on board with creating something over the next ten twenty, the next generation to come. And how does meeting face to face with producers and other buyers shape your perception about wines from Piamante? Meeting other buyers face to face. That's what we call a Mastercard moment. Money can't buy. It's about investing in ourselves, investing in our companies, and we all meet each other. And and the world of wine is very small, as you I'm sure you know, anyway. But whether it's, friends or ours or we work together, Greg, that's come over from, from San Diego in California, whether it's twan, we got this, say, a quick height of twan that's based over in Hanoi in in Vietnam, and everywhere else in between pavel who's in in in in Krakow, there's so many of us in our group, and it's a fantastic group that we can actually all learn from each other, learn about each other's markets, and we can adapt to that, adopt something, adapt it, and improve it. And it's great. It's a wonderful place to be. And finally, after having, attended Grandilang, What key takeaway or trend are you eager to share with your folks back at home? Well, I think the eagerness has already been shown in the discoveries of some of these native grapes. Native grapes that producers thankfully are realizing, you know, let's bring them back. And there's other regions that are doing this for sure, and I'm I'm really happy that this is one of those regions that they're doing, they're recognizing, and we can take this back and pass it on to our customers. And, obviously, from the restaurant point of view, they can, pass it on to to their customers and make this region certainly in the top of the list again. Vonage questions. What what is your favorite piedmonte food? And wine pairing. There's so many food and wine pairings you could choose from. One. Okay. One I will choose has to be I'm gonna be a bit obvious here, I guess, everybody. I'm sorry. But the cold platter, the veal, you know, with the little sauce. It's It's got to be with a nice young, which is the style of For me, that combination is a great combination. Okay. And that's a wrap with Ryan Lewis from Liverpool. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Listen to the Italian wine podcast wherever you get your podcasts. We're on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, HimalIFM, and more. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the show. If you enjoy listening, please consider donating through Italian wine podcast dot com. Any amount helps cover equipment, production, and publication costs. Until next time. Chichi.