S14 Ep31: Girovino!! | The Wines of the 2026 Giro
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In this year's pre-Giro d'Italia special, The Cycling Podcast's host dives into the 'Girovagando Selection' — a curated case of six wines from regions along the 2026 Giro route, selected by wine expert Greg Andrews and Luciano Girotto of Divine Cellars. The episode blends a freewheeling conversation about Italian wine culture, innovation, and shifting consumer habits with a playful, thematic exploration of the wines themselves. From a vibrant Bulgarian blend inspired by a Guardians of the Galaxy mixtape to high-altitude whites from Val d'Aosta and bold, traditional Aglianico from Calabria, the case reflects both the diversity of Italy’s terroir and the evolving spirit of its winemakers. The hosts reflect on broader trends: declining wine consumption in Europe, the rise of low-alcohol and alternative crops like hazelnuts, and the growing global influence on regional winemaking. The episode closes with a lighthearted nod to the future — perhaps one day, the Giro case will feature nuts instead of wine.
Italy’s wine industry is undergoing a quiet revolution, with innovation thriving beyond traditional regions like Tuscany and Piedmont.
Eastern European wines, especially from Bulgaria, are delivering exceptional value and quality, driven by foreign investment and skilled returning winemakers.
Climate change and economic pressures are pushing some Italian producers to diversify into crops like hazelnuts, challenging the dominance of wine in historic regions.
Consumers are drinking less wine overall but are increasingly willing to invest in higher-quality, thoughtfully made bottles when they do choose to drink.
The Girovagando Selection highlights a shift in the podcast’s format — not just a wine case, but a celebration of regional identity, evolution, and the interplay between sport, food, and culture.
The Girovagando Tradition Begins
The host introduces the annual pre-Giro wine podcast, explaining its whimsical yet meaningful connection to the race’s cultural and geographical roots. The focus is on wine as a lens into the territories the Giro traverses.
Italy’s Hidden Wine Revolution
“The real skill is not the tradition. It's not the sort of heritage as we imagine it. It's the innovation.”
The Decline of Wine and the Rise of Alternatives
“When you first hear that, it almost beggars belief to think that nuts could be as viable and as lucrative as the very expensive wine that they sell there.”
Bulgaria’s Wine Renaissance
“We're seeing that come through, particularly with a lot of the indigenous varieties that you see planted.”
From Aglianico to Calabria Rosso: The Case Unveiled
A chronological walkthrough of the six selected wines, from the bold, traditional Aglianico del Vultura to the refined, modern Calabria Rosso, highlighting regional diversity and winemaking evolution.
“When you first hear that, it almost beggars belief to think that nuts could be as viable and as lucrative as the very expensive wine that they sell there.”
“The real skill is not the tradition. It's not the sort of heritage as we imagine it. It's the innovation.”
“It's not the tradition. It's not the sort of heritage as we imagine it. It's the innovation.”
Host
Guests
Giro d'Italia
other
Greg Andrews
person
Bulgaria
place
Luciano Girotto
person
Calabria
place
Piedmont
place
Divine Cellars
organization
Tuscany
place
Aglianico del Vultura
other
Beaujolais
other
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