{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Inside Valentino: Piero Selvaggio on LA\u2019s Italian Food Revolution and Wine Culture","description":"Step into the story of LA\u2019s culinary evolution with Wine Talks, where conversations are poured as generously as the wine. In this episode, I welcomes legendary restaurateur Piero Selvaggio\u2014a man whose career spans the golden age of Los Angeles dining, and whose philosophy on food and wine has inspired chefs, winemakers, and bon vivants the world over. Wine Talks isn\u2019t just about swirling glasses and describing bouquets\u2014it\u2019s about the unforgettable people behind the bottle, and the moments that shape the table. Imagine LA in the early 1970s, when Italian cuisine meant little more than checkered cloths and spaghetti. Into this world, Piero Selvaggio arrived with little more than $5,000 and a vision\u2014an immigrant\u2019s drive, sharpened by honesty and the hunger for authenticity. Through his iconic restaurant Valentino, Piero Selvaggio became both a host and a bridge\u2014introducing LA to the wonders of Italian food beyond the basics, and to wines that would soon rewrite world history. The cast is rich with characters: Jim Barrett of Chateau Montelena, the quiet revolutionary behind the Judgment of Paris; Wolfang Puck and Michael McCarty, friends and culinary disruptors; and a procession of winemakers, chefs, and critics who together transformed LA\u2019s dining scene from backwater to beacon. But at the heart of the story is Piero Selvaggio's enduring message: passion and curiosity are what make the journey worthwhile. He shares how a well-timed piece of honest criticism set him on a path of discovery, how the bonds between food, wine, and people mean more than accolades, and how restaurants aren\u2019t just businesses\u2014they\u2019re places of memory, inspiration, and celebration. As Paul Kalemkiarian and Piero Selvaggio unfold the tale, you\u2019ll hear about earthquakes that shatter cellars but never friendships, about the pursuit of true ingredients, and about the resilience behind the glamour\u2014especially in times of uncertainty. The conversation is a tribute to tradition, innovation, and the spirit that keeps us gathering, toasting, and tasting no matter what. Listen to Wine Talks for a seat at the table of LA\u2019s great culinary adventure, and find yourself inspired not just to drink, but to savor the story in every glass.   winepodcast, LArestauranthistory, Italiancuisine, PieroSelvaggio, PaulKalemkiarian, Valentinorestaurant, winecollecting, JudgmentofParis, Californiawines, foodandwinepairing, restaurantbusiness, Michelinguide, chefculture, winedistributors, winelistcuration, pandemicrestaurants, culinaryinnovation, sommelierstories, finedining, wineeducation, neighborhoodrestaurants ","author_name":"Wine Talks with Paul K.","author_url":"https:\/\/www.winetalkspodcast.com","html":"