Podcast 018 | A Chat with Florian Kempinger from Hangar-7 in Salzburg

March 24

Sommelier Florian Kempinger from Restaurant Ikarus, Hangar-7, Salzburg

Chianti Classico: A Love Letter from the Heart of Salzburg

In my podcast episode #018, I'm taking you on a super special journey, away from the wineries like usual, and straight into the heart of Hangar-7 in Salzburg. Here, in this architectural masterpiece, surrounded by historic planes and Formula 1 cars, I have the pleasure and honor of chatting with Florian Kempinger, Hangar-7's Head of Gastronomy, about our shared passion: Chianti Classico. But this time, we're looking at it from a sommelier's perspective and the special role Chianti Classico plays in a restaurant setting.

Florian and I have known each other for a few years, and our shared love for Chianti Classico really connects us. This time, I had a surprise for him: a wine from Poggerino in Radda in Chianti, without telling him what it was beforehand. His thoughts totally confirmed what we both know about Chianti Classico – it's a wine full of joy, shaped by its unique soil, coming from a cooler part of Chianti, and thanks to the careful work of winemaker Piero Lanza from Poggerino.

An Amazing Meeting Spot: The Ikarus Restaurant

Chatting with Florian, we dove deeper into the world of Hangar-7, checking out their diverse food offerings and the philosophy behind their one-of-a-kind guest chef concept. It's super fascinating to hear how every single detail, from picking the wines to designing the perfect wine pairings, is carefully thought out to give guests an absolutely amazing experience.

More Chianti Classico for your ears

Episode 029 | Casaloste - With Maria Giovanna: Wine is a living product, right from the start

What happens when you swap London for Panzano – and suddenly find yourself in the middle of the grape harvest? Maria Giovanna d’Orsi from the Casaloste winery tells us about her first harvest, where she also took on responsibility in the cellar – with sparkling eyes, wet boots, and a whole lot of heart. This episode is about passion, change, and the vibrancy of wine – right from the start.

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Episode 028 | Il Molino di Grace - With Iacopo Morganti: Where Wine Meets Art and Character

In conversation with Iacopo Morganti from the organic winery Il Molino di Grace in Panzano in Chianti, we talk about art, sustainable viticulture, Sangiovese with character, and the vision of founder Frank Grace. A real highlight for Chianti Classico fans.

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Episode 027 | Fontodi - Young. Brave. Full of Energy. In Conversation with Margherita Manetti - Part 2

Episode 027 | Fontodi - Young. Brave. Full of Energy. A Conversation with Margherita Manetti - Part 2

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Episode 026 | Fontodi - Young. Bold. Full of Energy. In conversation with Margherita Manetti - Part 1

Episode 026 | Fontodi - Young. Brave. Full of energy. A chat with Margherita Manetti

A chat with Margherita Manetti about family history, working biodynamically, the legendary Flaccianello, and the new generation at Fontodi. We're sitting with a view of the Conca d'Oro, a glass of Chianti Classico in hand – and suddenly it's clear: it's not just wine growing here, it's the future.

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Episode 025 | Sophie Conte on Respect, Terroir, and Dreams in Tregole

In this episode, I'm visiting Sophie Conte at the Tregole winery in Tuscany. At 520 meters high, Sophie tells me how she went from marketing to wine production and brought the centuries-old family estate back to life. You'll find out why 2023 was an especially challenging year, how Sangiovese grows at extreme altitudes, the fascinating history of Tregole since the Etruscans, and how her unique labels came to be. It's an authentic wine story from Tuscany with a winemaker who perfectly blends tradition and innovation.

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Episode 024 | Monia Piccini on Sangiovese and her Fairytale Castle

In this podcast episode, I'm meeting Monia Piccini at the Il Palagio di Panzano winery – a small, family-run estate in the heart of Tuscany. With a view of the famous Conca d’Oro, we chat about the 2020 vintage, the importance of Sangiovese, about soils, vines – and why some wines tell really personal stories.

Monia shares honest insights into her life as a winemaker, talking about her grandmother, her daughters, and the passion with which she and her husband Franco live for wine and hospitality.

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Podcast 023 | Race Against the Weather - Harvest 2024 at Le Fonti

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Podcast 022 | With Gianmaria at Enoteca Baldi in Panzano in Chianti

In this episode, I'm taking you to Enoteca Baldi, one of Chianti's most charming wine bars, right in the piazza of Panzano in Chianti. There, I meet Gianmaria Garbin, co-owner, sommelier, and passionate guardian of an impressive wine collection.

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Podcast 021 | Podere Capaccia - A Boutique Winery in Radda in Chianti

Today, I'm checking in from a super special spot – a gorgeous vineyard that's part of the Podere Capaccia winery. This vineyard actually gets its name from a huge oak tree. But Querciagrande isn't just any big tree…

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Podcast 020 | Weather with 'Weather Guru' Piero Lanza from Poggerino

Piero Lanza from the Poggerino winery in Radda in Chianti, who I lovingly call the 'weather guru,' has once again made time to chat with us about the weather. It's not because we couldn't think of anything else to talk about, but because the weather…

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Podcast 019 | Fattoria di Rignana - A Reunion with Cosimo

In this episode of "A Glass of Wine with Nina in Chianti," I visit Cosimo Gericke at his Fattoria di Rignana. Two years after our last podcast together, we're checking out what's new to discover at his winery.

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Podcast 018 | A Chat with Florian Kempinger from Hangar-7 in Salzburg

In my podcast episode, I'm taking you on a super special journey, right into the heart of Hangar-7 in Salzburg. Here, in this architectural masterpiece, surrounded by historic airplanes and Formula 1 cars, I have the pleasure and honor of chatting with Florian Kempinger…

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Podcast 017 | Sangiovese - Italy's Red King of Grapes

In this episode, I want to dive into the most important ingredient in Chianti Classico: the Sangiovese grape. After all, every Chianti Classico has to have at least 80% Sangiovese, and more and more winemakers are even choosing to make their Chianti Classico purely from Sangiovese grapes…

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Podcast 016 | Casaloste Celebrates 30 Years - How a Vision Became a Lifelong Dream

Casaloste is a family winery that Giovanni d'Orsi and his wife Emilia have been running for 30 years. This episode dives into the fascinating story of this winery, which we explore together with Giovanni, Emilia, and their daughter Maria Giovanna. Maria Giovanna, who lived in London for a while and is now back working at the family winery, helps us tell the story.

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Podcast 015 | Chianti Classico Collection 2023 - Part 2

The Chianti Classico Collection in Florence is THE wine fair for Chianti Classico, and for me, it's one of the most important events of the year. With this episode, I want to take you along for the second time, so you can learn more about the new Chianti Classico vintages that you'll be seeing soon in restaurants, on wine shelves, and in online shops.

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Podcast 014 | The Chianti Classico Collection 2023 - Part 1

The Chianti Classico Collection in Florence is THE wine fair for Chianti Classico, and for me, it's one of the most important events of the year. I want to take you along with this episode and tell you why my year only starts in mid-February, and why I love a drafty train station in Florence so much.

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Podcast 013 | From Harvest to Year-End - The Weather in Chianti with Piero Lanza

Today, I want to tell you all about my last visit to the Poggerino winery with Piero, our local weather whiz and winemaker. As usual, he shared some really interesting insights into what the weather's been up to and how the latest harvest went.

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Podcast 012 | Mr. Sangiovese? A Chat with Michael Schmelzer from Monte Bernardi Winery

Welcome to a new episode of my podcast! In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Schmelzer from Monte Bernardi. Michael, whom I affectionately call "Mr. Sangiovese," gives us an insight into the art of winemaking and his passion for the Sangiovese grape.

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Podcast 011 | My Chat with Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi from Rocca di Montegrossi Winery

In this episode, I'd love to introduce you to Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi from the Rocca di Montegrossi winery. Marco is a descendant of the famous Ricasoli Firidolfi noble family in Tuscany. But to me, he's a passionate winemaker who produces some truly exceptional wines.

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Podcast 010 | A "weather update" just before harvest with Piero Lanza from Poggerino winery

Today I'm visiting Piero Lanza again at his Poggerino winery in Radda in Chianti. During my last visit, we decided to meet up again at the end of summer to chat about the weather right before harvest.

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Podcast 009 | In the Land of Dreams - Visiting Gagliole Winery

Today, I'm taking you on a trip to one of the most impressive wineries in the region: Gagliole in Castellina in Chianti. I'll be joined by Alessia, who's the right-hand person to Gagliole's owners, the Bär family.

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Podcast 008 | A colorful conversation with Piero Lanza from the Poggerino winery

Today I want to take you on a trip to beautiful Chianti, specifically to Radda, where I visited Piero Lanza at his Poggerino winery. Poggerino is just a few minutes from Radda's town center, nestled in an idyllic valley.

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Podcast 007 | Giovanni Manetti - A Chat About the New Milestone in Chianti Classico

Just a few weeks ago, the members of the Consorzio Chianti Classico set a new milestone for Chianti Classico. Giovanni Manetti, who owns the Fontodi winery in Panzano in Chianti, is also the current president of the Consorzio Chianti Classico.

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Podcast 006 | Poggio al Sole, where the hill is in the sun and a colorful bouquet of wines is the main event

Welcome back to "A Glass of Wine with Nina in Chianti"! Today, I want to take you on a special trip to the heart of Chianti Classico, specifically to the Poggio al Sole winery in Barberino. There, I met the family behind this unique winery: Kathrin, Steffi, Johannes, and Valentino.

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Podcast 005 | About the Power Place Rignana, Hedgehogs, and Sangiovese - A Chat with Cosimo Gericke

For today's podcast episode, I'm visiting the Fattoria e Villa di Rignana winery in Panzano in Chianti, and Cosimo Gericke, the owner, is right here with me.

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Podcast 004 | Le Fonti Panzano - A Chat with Vicky Schmitt-Vitali

For today's podcast episode, I'm visiting the Le Fonti winery in Panzano in Chianti, and I get to sit on my favorite terrace in all of Chianti – Vicky and Guido's terrace, the owners of Le Fonti.

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Podcast 003 | What does a black rooster do on a wine bottle and why is it important?

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Podcast 002 | What you absolutely need to know about Chianti Classico

I want to explain what you should know about Chianti Classico. So, what exactly is Chianti Classico? Where does Chianti Classico come from? What's the difference between 'Chianti' and 'Chianti Classico'? What are the quality levels? And what are the main differences? And how do I recognize Chianti Classico?

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Podcast 001 | I'm Nina in Chianti and Chianti Classico is my passion

Hello and welcome to the first episode of my podcast, 'A Glass of Wine with Nina in Chianti,' your go-to podcast for all things Chianti Classico. Today I want to tell you a bit about myself and how my big passion for Chianti Classico came about, and why I eventually turned that passion into my job.

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Florian's insights into the world of Hangar-7 were a total highlight. The wine cellar is like a treasure chest, packed with wines from all over the globe – from famous labels to hidden gems. Discovering, tasting, and finally picking the wines to show guests is an art in itself. Florian and his team navigate this huge variety with a mix of knowledge, gut feeling, and always looking for something new. Reviews and recommendations matter, sure, but ultimately, it's all about the wine's quality and the experience it brings. The wine cellar isn't just a storage spot; it's the very heart of Hangar-7's food philosophy, aiming to find the perfect wine for every single dish.

The Art of Harmony: Chianti Classico and Food

We also talked about how beautifully Chianti Classico pairs with food. Florian, who's a real pro, explained how its complexity, distinct fruitiness, and refreshing acidity make it a super versatile partner for all sorts of dishes. Thinking of Chianti Classico as a food companion means seeing how it can really boost and support both simple and complex flavors. Whether it's a rich meat dish, a delicate fish, or a creative veggie meal, Chianti Classico brings that perfect balance. This chat really cemented my belief that Chianti Classico is more than just a wine; it's also like an ambassador for the joy of Italian dining.

Our chat also took us back to memories of our first experiences with Chianti Classico and how this wine sparked Florian's interest in the wine world. It's a journey full of tastes, aromas, and memories that really show just how diverse and profound Chianti Classico can be.

Wine as an Ambassador for Italian Dining Joy

Finally, we chatted about how Chianti Classico has grown, the big deal about introducing Gran Selezione, and how the region and its wines are always evolving to wow wine lovers everywhere.

I really hope I managed to show you a little piece of my world, and maybe it'll inspire some of you to look at your next glass of Chianti Classico differently – seeing it as a glass full of history, passion, and pure joy.