Marc Millon talks to Paul Bloomfield

Food and travel writer Marc Millon explains how the story of Italy has always been entwined with that of wine. And he offers some tastings to the audience.

Millon says wine has been the celebratory drink for millennia, given solace in times of despair and fortified warriors as they went into battle. He says wine gives a fascinating insight into the ideas, events and personalities that shaped Italy, whether it is Possessioni Rosso, still made by descendants of Dante, Barolo ‘Lazzarito’ from a wine estate founded by the son of Italy’s first king, or Terre Rosse di Giabbascio, pressed from grapes grown on ex-Mafia land.

‘The product of Marc Millon’s lifelong passion for Italy, this fascinating account of the place of wine in Italian life over the centuries is an utterly absorbing read. Enjoy it with a good glass of vino to hand!’ Fiona Beckett, Wine Writer, The Guardian

Millon has been writing about food, wine and travel for more than 40 years. He is a certified Italian Wine Ambassador and has a weekly podcast, Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. His previous books include Wine: A Global History and Food Lover’s Companion to Italy. Here he talks to Paul Bloomfield, consultant chef to Oxford Literary Festival.

Part of the festival’s programme of Italian literature and culture.