Attilio Scienza interview with Stevie, Sardinia - pt. 2

Stevie Kim and the Professor return for the second part of another episode of "On the Road Edition" (available here and on the Italian Wine Podcast) filmed at the Sella & Mosca winery in Sardinia. As you know, they are on a "School Trip" or "Field Trip" discovering the island, its culture, its heritage, its cuisine, and, of course, its wine. The third day of the trip focuses on the area of Sanluri and Cagliari, in the southern part of the island.

The video is in Italian with English subtitles, but you can always listen to it in podcast form on Soundcloud by visiting: www.italianwinepodcast.com

The main topic that Stevie and the Professor explore in this session is "precision viticulture" and the emerging role of satellite technology in wine production. If all this sounds rather technical, don’t worry: it is actually a truly fascinating topic, and the Professor, with his expertise and erudition, can help you understand it.

Of course, a detour or two is made along the way, including a brief lesson on Greek etymology, one on the importance of the Ecomuseum of Vernaccia di Oristano, as well as a quick exploration of the best fishing opportunities on the island.

Returning "to the theme", the conversation focuses on the characteristic wine grape of the island, Vernaccia di Oristano. The Professor explains how oxidation can affect the sensory characteristics of the wine and how its suitability for maritime transport has helped it conquer export markets. Stevie and the Prof even agree that this is a wine that both could enjoy! Finally, you can listen to the Professor’s best pairing advice for Vernaccia di Oristano - a strong and spicy cheese is recommended in case you were wondering!

Shifting the focus to the Argiolas winery, the professor explains how it is one of the most important wine producers in Sardinia from the south, with deep roots and a long history on the island. Founded in 1930, the family business is now in the hands of the third generation of the Argiolas family. Renowned for its intense ruby red Turriga, a wine that some experts consider the best red of Sardinia, it has certainly brought the spotlight to the Argiolas winery.

Argiolas is also renowned for innovation and for using cutting-edge agricultural techniques, particularly for the use of "precision viticulture".

Of course, this is one of the many topics in which the Professor is a great expert, and he explains what precision viticulture is, how it works, and why it is not yet so widespread in Italy.

As the professor explains, "precision viticulture" is a precision agricultural technique used to optimize vineyard performance, particularly by maximizing yield and grape quality while minimizing environmental impacts and risks. It uses satellite georeferencing to map environmental variability, which can help the vineyard operate more sustainably, all controlled from a simple cellphone.

Stevie then questions the Professor about the launch of this technology and its availability for smaller producers. Given the average size of vineyards in Italy, which is around a couple of hectares, the Professor estimates that few producers are currently able to resort to this technology. But with the correct training, the use of specialized contractors, and collaboration among producers through cooperatives, smaller producers can pool their resources to invest in this type of technology.

As for the benefits, the Professor explains that precision viticulture can not only help producers establish the current state of their crop but can also allow them to predict, prepare for, and prevent future events, such as the spread of diseases and water stress.

On The Road Edition hosted by Stevie is a series that is part of the Mamma Jumbo Shrimp brand, available both on YouTube and on the Italian Wine Podcast. In addition to these, in the Mamma Jumbo Shrimp family, you can also find a book series, wine courses, and much more - the truth is we love Italian wine but we won’t turn up our noses at other wines! You can discover more about us through this link: www.italianwinepodcast.com