Ep. 1941 Victoria Cece interviews Federica Bonetta | The Next Generation

The Italian wine podcast is the community driven platform for Italian winegeeks around the world. Support the show by donating at italian wine podcast dot com. Donate five or more Euros, and we'll send you a copy of our latest book, my Italian Great Geek journal. Absolutely free. To get your free copy of my Italian GreatGeek journal, click support us at italian wine podcast dot com, or wherever you get your pots. Welcome to the next generation with me, your host Victoria Cetje. This is your podcast to learn about all the cool things Italians thirty and under are up to in the food and wine scene. And yes, that includes all the best things to eat. Hello, everyone. You're tuning into another episode of the next generation. With me, Victoria. How's everything going? Today, we have very special guests coming to you all the way from Australia, actually. We have Ferreka voneta. Tell Ferreka. Hi. Hi everyone. Hi. So, well, it's for me. It's nine in the morning for you. What time is it there? It's five PM. Yeah. I'm talking with you from my room in Melbourne. So I'm in the south, Australia right now. I'm not in Sicily. I'm not sitting in Milana. I'm just finishing my master's degree here. So this is the reason why I'm talking from Melbourne. And thanks for having me. It's so incredible. You're like Island, Hoping, going Sicily, Australia, Australia. I mean, Milan's not an island, but you know what I mean? It's it's kinda like its own island in its own way. Yeah. Yeah. But that is so exciting and you're you're just what? You're just twenty four years old. So you're moving around a lot. I decided to move to Milan to start my studies there. So I'm from Sicily, but I decided to leave in Milan since twenty nineteen. I studied Economics and business administration there. After I finished with my bachelor degree, I decided to start with a master degree. And right now, I'm completely in my master degree in economics. So fingers crossed, I will finish this summer and to graduate, like, on September. Well, best of luck with that. I obviously have so many questions for you. So I guess we should start from the beginning. I guess is the best to say. Like, When did, like, you know, little baby Zendarika realize that she wanted to be in the wine world? I grew up among the vineyards with the sound of clicking wine glasses and general masks of most. Do you know? So line is faster me, I can say. So I always working around this family business. And, it's a family business. So when you visit, you'll immediately feel at home. So I decided at first to focus about my academic study, like, to study and to grow a little bit. And so right now, of course, I need to do some some choice I don't know, but, I'm just figuring out what I'm gonna do in the next month, but I'm pretty sure that I wanna travel a little bit before coming back to Sicily. And I think that is the best choice for me right now travel, discovering new things, and being, added value after, my academic and professional background with me. Absolutely. And I'm sorry. I didn't introduce your family's winery, but it's the barrio del cristo de campovelo. Is that the? Cristo de campovelo. Yeah. Exactly. Okay. Just making sure. So everyone hears it. I know it'll probably be in your pretty little show notes, but just a good shout out. Well, that's so special. I mean, granted, you're so very young and so much future ahead of you. And, of course, you have to travel because, you know, there's so much to learn in our world, you know, not just wine. You know, there's other things to explore. Of course. When you're young, you wanna, you know, you wanna eat good food, you wanna make friends, all these things. I mean, speaking of which, like, how has it been, you know, in Melbourne, like, especially, like, as someone who is a wine lover, do you find yourself actually, like, going out and drinking wine with friends? Oh, no. Actually, I will be honest with you. The whole thing that I miss right now is people that wanna drink wine with me. I think it's, like, cultural things because here people about my age are not so interested in into wine. So I really will be sad just for this very little bit of Melbourne because it's so international. But with this age, maybe my age at least twenty three, twenty four is not easy, like, to find someone, to doing one with you. So I think it's a cultural thing. You need to hear people are not, like, with the European culture. And after university, you don't go to a wine bar and having a glass of wine with friends. You probably go around, having some Asian foods. I think it's what I see. So it's completely different. Now I can imagine. I mean, what do people drink there? Like, is there a drinking culture? Beer, of course. It's the couple West. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The commonwealth states or the the British culture is dominant here. You can find wine lover, but not, like, under thirty, I think. So it's pretty complicated. Of course, I am drinking wine also here. So I can't live without wine. So I'm just trying to explore Australian wines, but I drink Italian wines. I'm honest. There's a lot of, you know, Italian varietals that have traveled, you know, to Australia. Like, have you been tasting any of those? No. Yes, sir. Because I'm just completely this month, my exam, but, on June, I wanna go to Yaroa Valley. That is a Victorian area nearby Melbourne. And, I will visit some winery's account wait. Oh, that's so exciting. That's so and, yeah, I could imagine you really have to plan and Australia because it's so big. Yeah. It's, you know, like, we we look at it from Italy because Italy, I mean, obviously, it's a lot smaller. And it's, like, even you could kind of figure out how to get to, like, even if I'm, like, I'm in Rome. So it's like, if I wanted to, I don't know, go to, like, let's say, Valdo Bialdene. Like, I could still take a train and then find a way someone to pick me up. Whereas, like, Australia, it's like you're in the middle. You can't do anything at least without a car. So you need to have a car with you, and I need to finish my Sam right now. So yes. Yes. Of course. Sorry. Priorities is your school not drinking. I'm trying to be a good influence since I'm older than you. Do your work. After you finish or when you're not studying. I'm sorry. Have you tried any, like, Australian wines you've liked? Are you enjoying this podcast? Don't forget to visit our YouTube channel, mama jumbo shrimp. For fascinating videos covering Stevie Kim and her travels across Italy and beyond, meeting winemakers, eating local food, and taking in the scenery. Now back to the show. I us, Sarah from, Victoria area. And it was, like, from a small producer, I met in a local wine bar because when I go to a wine bar, I always talk a lot when I I lost your question to the or the people that I met there. So I was lucky because I I found this guy that was making this fabulous Sierra, small production that was so good. So it's nice every time I have the possibility to talk with our producers too. So it was really nice. I know that you probably, like, really surprised them. They're like, who's this girl, like, that knows all this, like, knowledge about wine, and then she's like a talent. And you're like, why why are you here? I look so young. So every time, I talk about wine, they are so shocked, especially here because as I told you before, young people here don't drink wine. So they are so shocked about me. Oh, I can imagine. And I I get it because when I, like, started in the wine world, I was, like, twenty two, twenty three, and they would make a joke that I wasn't old enough to, like, work and wine. And again, granted, like, in the States, it's twenty one. Always like that. Always. Yeah. But they're they were, like, you walk like you're seventeen. And I was just, like, okay. Well, you're hiring me. So I don't know, like, if you wanna take the risk, but I know that's wonderful, but it also, like, I have to ask because your sicilian and sicilian food is so good and and so, you know, obviously different all over the place all over the island. I mean, but, like, how has it been with food? Like, you know, in Australia? They don't have, like, particular scene. Here, you can feel a lot of mixed culture. So the most parts, you can feel the Asian part a lot. Because people also here also my friends, they are all from Asia. A lot of, Indonesian, a lot of Chinese, Japanese. So everyone in Melbourne is that it will be difficult to find, like, one hundred percent of Australian because it's such a, international place. So you, like, have, the opportunity to talk with the world. You know, I live with six guys from around the world. One is from Jacob one is from Nairobi. One is from Tokyo, and it's the best things that cannot come to me because I just opened the door. I talk with the words. I can say, so it's a really nice things and they are so kind and they would appreciate, like, the difference, see the difference between me and, That's no. That's that's so special. And and and it's such a unique experience that like, and why, you know, it's, oh, it's such a great thing that you can travel especially when you're studying because it's it's so hard. Like, when are you ever going to have that moment? I mean, again, working in the wine in tree does allow you to have those moments. It's one of the things I love about the food and beverage industry is, like, you can still have that. Like, you don't have to still be in college. But, like, it feels like you can have, like, you can sit in a room and a tasting and be with people from all corners of the globe. But for sure living together is another thing, and that's incredible. I think thinking about, you know, you're building your wine knowledge and eating all these different foods, it actually need to probably just in strengthens your palate and your, like, curiosity, right, about, like, what pairings and things, especially with, like, sicilian wines. And the sicilian, I mean, I love food history too, and I I mean, sicily has so many, you know, cultural layers in its cuisine. Obviously, it's definitely far from maybe Indonesia, but, like It's so nice. Like, today, I was having pasta, with Pomodoro with Samantha. The simple one, and Costco. My Japanese friend was making noodles. So it's seeing our stable. It's so nice. It's so funny. Like, me with pasta and him with noodles. So I really appreciate this moments, or it's so nice living here and appreciate all these cultural things, cultural cuisine. So I'm so glad to be here. Absolutely. And because Sometimes we forget, and I think I was talking about this in a recent interview. You know, like, food and wine for sure is about the tasting and understanding, you know, the technicality is in the history, but most importantly, it's about how you share it up the table and the conversations you have and the memories you have. Like wine. Wine is all about sharing. So for the wines, like, the perfect combo, and it's difficult talking about this here because as I told you before, it's not so common talking about that, but I think it's just a cultural things. For sure. And I mean, as you're saying, like, there's always, like, kinda how you were eating the pasta than your Japanese roommate was eating the noodles, there's kind of always, like, a conduit. There's always, like, a point to connect, you know, even if the the things you're eating or drinking may be different. There's, like, might be some kind of similarity or some kind of aspect to it. You know, like, maybe, like, you know, who made it for you or, like, who showed you at first. And and you find that at the table, you know? Long have you been in Australia for? I arrived here last day of February, and it was summer. Now it's autumn here. Alright. Right. Yeah. This is always completely different right now. So we have two summer. I'm so happy too because we have two summer. When I come back, it will be summer in Italy, so I'm happy about it. That is awesome. Yeah. I'm jealous that because it's starting to get hot here now. But, yeah, it's just good results too. It's like twenty degrees. So Yeah. No. It's so good having this kind of autumn for me. That's beautiful weather. Well, I wanted to ask you one big important question before we wrap up and and and something because and we kinda talked about it through the interview with, you know, seeing the drinking customs in Melbourne and then, you know, thinking about, you know, your culture as a sicilian. How do you feel and you can answer this also with your dreams about wine drinking. But for, like, the young generation, how do you feel about the how young people are drinking wine? Like, what do you see? Like, what do you hope to change? I can use, like, an example, about me in Milan. Because Milan right now is changing, a lot. And I like this, the faces it's going through. It's becoming more and more European. In fact, in the past few months, many of them. Yeah. Sorry for the French term, but they are, like, neighbors, wine barre, have sprung up, and I have many beautiful memories in this place. And I love, like, the only atmosphere that you can feel, convivial atmosphere where everyone just wanna enjoy themself by, drinking wine. And I believe that the rise of this new venues is bringing younger consumer closer to the wine industry because the wine offering are very broad and they are, of course, super famous wines that come with the high praise tag, but we all know that you can drink well without spending, fortune. So there is a lot of talk about natural and biodynamic wines, but I say long life, good wine because too many labels are being created and they see a certain confusion among consumers. So I think that we should guide them not complicate the situation, especially at such a delicate time for the wine industry where we've, even talking about, you know, alcoholic wines. So it's a fact that young people are leaning towards alcohol wines and fresh, easy to drink wines, but I believe that we all need to adapt to these demands considering the sustainability and climate change. But I think that's the wine industry, like the wine of the future, there will be a strong focus on experimentation because nowadays, every younger consumer wanna try these organic wines, like, as I said to you before, fresh and easy to doing wines. So I think it's completely different like, the approach to the consumer behavior in general? No. I I I know exactly what you're talking about because Rome is experiencing a very similar thing to what you're discussing about in the lawn. You know, the cheerful, a useful mood with that place with the soft light links, smart policies. That's it's nice because allowing you, like, to easily talk to everyone and meet new people, like, with genuine food, many bottles around you, and it's nice if you think that this formula with can be a way to introduce new consumers to wines. But I'm a little bit worried just because there is a lot of labels and I see a lot of friends also that's, Arlie will be confused about that. So you, you know, what I mean? Yeah. Organic, by Dynamics, natural, what? They asked me if they got what's happening in one industry was and I'm like, I'm just figuring out like you. Exactly. And and we also, you and I have to think about, like, what the, like, you know, the average consumer who doesn't come with a bunch of wine knowledge thinks when they are presented with this. And and they, you know, everyone wants something. They want something that that they'll enjoy drinking, but people, you know, are also a bit, you know, kind of health conscious, you know, if you tell someone that that a wine is better for them because of these things, and they'll stick in their brain. Right? And they'll be like, oh, okay. So I want, you know, this kind of label of, like, you know, biodynamic, whatever. And I'm with you. I think we're in an interesting time where we have this door that's opening for young people to, you know, come in and drink more wine, and they enjoy, and they feel like part of the community, and there's these really cool places. And they're introduced to all these bottles just, you know, in the the environment. But when it's it's curated in one way, it's almost cutting off a bit of the story of wine and the holistic kind of approach of, like, understanding really the Italian wine industry. And, I'm always a proponent of, like, you know, supporting, you know, smaller producers or family owned, you know, wineries that, like, have the transparency with what they do. Like, I'm not someone who's a stickler about these, like, you know, labels myself. Kinda like you're saying, if we could find some kind of, you know, middle ground, some kind of way to bring it together, it we really can have a beautiful future because I, yeah, in Rome, there's these really, really lovely places to drink wine and meet people and hang out with great music. But they can buy music and watch. Yeah. In Milan, it's like a new wave. And living in the city, I can see how consumers and their testing are evolving. So it's like this new wave, the one word that's can help young people understand, how and what to drink, then it's a great thing. But once you remain crucial, in my view, it's like the the role of the bar manager, Somelier, because the bar manager, Samelier, guides people in their wine choice. And, he needs to stay with them to tell the story behind this bottle. We really need, like, this kind of, you know, people who can plenty why in a professional, but in a fun way. Yeah. We need to find a way to, like, combine, like, the hip wine guy with the professional, some of you, like, find some kind of middle ground. I I really like the businesses I'm seeing, especially for Italy because I think given the way the country's marketed, especially for tourists and things, sometimes Italy gets stuck in this, like, old school kind of lens. And I like these young businesses because it gives hope for the future in this country too, like, in general, you know. Like, of what Italy could, you know, can become. And and also that is a very modern country in a lot in many ways, you know. So I hope we can combine this history with this new culture trying to do our part. So we just presented our new association, and I'm really excited about that. That is called, so next generation in English, and we've just presented during the Italy. So I'm really happy about that because we try to to do something good together with, a older younger producer, the sicilian younger producer costs, and we try to do our our best to really develop, new castro wine to have adapted the the modern wine with the new consumer. So it will be a really special challenge, and I'm so ready for that. Wow. That's amazing and such a beautiful thing to, like, wrap up our interview on because while you have, like, that to come back to. That's a beautiful project. That's really special. And, yeah, we may need another podcast to talk about that because especially with Cecilia and why. Well, Frederica, thank you so much for your time and for and, yeah, especially literally your time. I'm so happy we had this chat, and I really look forward to seeing all the amazing things you do. Thank you. Thanks for grabbing me, really. Awesome. Well, I wish you the best of luck finishing your masters. And, hopefully, I will see you on Italian soil one day. Yeah. One hundred percent. Alright. Thank you to everyone for tuning in today. Ciao guys. As always, a big Graza for hanging out with me today. Remember, you can catch me on the Italian wine podcast every Sunday and anywhere you can get your pots.