Have you ever noticed a bottle’s label prominently displayed during a pivotal scene in a favorite television show or film, and wondered: “Was that on purpose?” It just might be. That’s increasingly thanks to people like Anastasia Tarasova, the founder of Bottles on Set, a product-placement agency that delivers expertise in wine and liquor to film and television productions.

To learn about how this all works, we sat down with Tarasova to hear more about her agency’s projects. Listen as she shares tricks of the trade and some of her juiciest anecdotes. You probably won’t look at drinks on film the same way again.

Is there a guest you want us to interview? A topic you want us to cover? We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@wineenthusiast.net. Remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

On the surface, aperitivo is a pre-dinner ritual centered around small bites and a sensible amount of booze. But the true meaning runs deeper.

In this episode, we talk with Stef Ferrari, author of Stuzzichini: The Art of Italian Snack, to better understand what constitutes the “magic” of aperitivo and how to recreate it at home. We discuss why gathering is fundamental to Italian life, how the ritual of aperitivo can help fulfill the basic need and desire to connect with others and how a little bit of alcohol can be part of a healthy, enriched life. Plus, Ferrari shares some of her most memorable aperitivo bites in Italy that fueled the inspiration behind the recipes in her book.

Is there a guest you want us to interview? A topic you want us to cover? We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@wineenthusiast.net. Remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.