Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2678 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with Jessica Dupuy, co-author of “Italianity, The Culture of Italian Wine”.  Highlights of the conversation include: What is “Italianity”? Working with Andrea Lonardi MW Exploring Italy and the concept of “Italianity” Embracing the Italian concept of “sprezzatura” How the US Wine Market has survived recent political and economic instability  Further reading: “Italianity, The Culture of Italian Wine” is available online at: www.italianity.wine and www.jessicadupuy.com and other major online retailers. Jessica’s substack is: https://jessicadupuy.substack.com/. The restaurant in Masala that Jessica mentioned in the conversation is Le Lumie (https://www.ristorantelelumie.com/).  The Book Review by Richard Hough: “Italianity is an extraordinary achievement. Not only have Jessica Dupuy and Andrea Lonardi created a sumptuous, original and insightful meditation on the culture of Italian wine, they have done so in two languages in a style that is ambitious yet humble, soaring yet grounded. Italianity is one of those books that effortlessly inspires, as it takes the reader on an unforgettable journey across Italy alongside two of the wine world’s most capable contemporary communicators.” About today’s guest: Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published, The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. She also co-hosts podcast, Another Bottle Down. Connect: Website: www.jessicadupuy.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicandupuy/  More about the host: Richard Hough is the editor, translator and project curator behind The Art of Wine Storytelling, Wine Democracy and Vine and Prejudice. He has also published several books about life in Verona, chronicling the city’s history, culture and daily life, not forgetting, of course, its wine, including Verona Campione, published in May 2025. With a long-standing passion for whisky and beer, he’s a relative newcomer to the world of wine and is now desperately trying to make up for lost time! He is the host of Book Club on the Italian Wine Podcast. Connect: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rickhough.bsky.social  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verona_campione  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhough/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp     If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/. Until next time, Cin Cin!