Italy in a Wine Glass – Marc Millon’s latest book published to great acclaim
14th July 2024
OCC Patron Marc Millon’s recently published book, Italy in a Wine Glass: The Taste of History, is one of the most original and substantial works on wine to be published in many years. It reflects Marc’s deep love of Italy – its art, beautiful landscapes, famous cities, food and, of course, its wine. Built on years of research and immersion in Italian culture, it is both scholarly and immensely engaging.
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Italy in a Wine Glass reveals how the story of Italy has been entwined, since its earliest days, with seminal moments in Italian history. As Marc explains, “Italian wine, perhaps more than wine from anywhere else, holds within it such a rich concentration of stories and connections that link us directly to the past, whether to ancient times or yesteryear.” Across 25 chapters, arranged chronologically, Marc charts Italy’s social, political and religious movements, the influence of colonial powers and conflicts, moments of national pride and shame and the role of dominant personalities. At each turn he explores how wine has played its part – defining communities, fuelling economic activity, asserting regional distinctions, reinforcing egos of rulers and empowering previously overlooked peoples. Each chapter closes with a true taste of history – Marc’s personal recommendations for wines linked to the stories he has shared.
In the words of fellow OCC Patron, Jessica B. Harris, “Anyone curious about the history of Italian wines could find no better guide than Marc Millon. Italy in a Wineglass brilliantly recounts Italy’s history through its wines and, with an academic’s erudition and a bon vivant’s verve, offers a refreshing draught that can be savoured by novice and connoisseur alike.”
On 30th April 2024, to mark publication of Italy in a Wine Glass, OCC and Ulster University co-hosted a Culinary Salon dinner in the Academy restaurant, Belfast. Marc chose a range of notable wines, featured in the book, around which he designed a four-course menu. Over two days he worked with students on the execution of dinner, shared insights into Italian wine and food culture and engaged with local media, including undertaking an extensive interview with the evening television show, UTV Life.
The Culinary Salon series of dinners, co-hosted by OCC and Ulster University and featuring many of the UK and Ireland’s best loved chefs and food and drink writers, has been designed to give students outstanding, immersive learning experiences; showcase Hospitality and Culinary Arts Management as flagship areas of the university’s provision; and contribute to the development of Northern Ireland as a gastronomic destination.
