Meet Fabrizio Di rienzo | Wine Communicator and Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fabrizio Di rienzo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fabrizio, what do you attribute your success to?
The world of wine has been extremely distant from the great masses of consumers for many years, creating an incredible disparity between wine lovers and everyday consumers. In the past, the industry has unfortunately communicated to consumers that only people with a strong background in the world of wine would be able to fully appreciate what is hidden inside a bottle of wine. I have been exposed to the beverage world since I was 14 and I was trained with this strong imposition where my trainers made me believe that wine was not for everyone but only for a small elite. I hated this kind of approach and so in my career, I decided to spend my energies communicating rather complicated concepts in a simple and easily understandable way. This was for me the great revolution in my career. Over the years I have never imposed my thoughts or my evaluation on a specific wine but I have always tried to develop the skills of those in front of me. Very often I have compared my way of communicating wine to a journey to a new place I am your guide, however, I don’t give you a map but a compass. Enjoy the journey and maybe even change the destination during the ride.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Born and raised in Piemonte (The Italian capital of wine), I started my career in the world of wine at the young age of 14 when I enrolled in the Turin Food and Wine School. Since then I served as a wine specialist and sommelier in several awarded restaurants in Italy and the USA. Because the hospitality industry was not reflecting my belief, I took a break to be an airline pilot. Of course, I was loving my job and traveling the world but something was missing in my life, and it was the hospitality business. I quit my pilot job and I came back to the beverage industry in the early 2000s. In 2013 I moved to the USA where I started several companies related to wine and spirits. Today I’m an Advanced Sommelier, Italian Wine Specialist, Wine Personality specializing in celebrity projects related to wine and spirits, Writer, Wine Communicator, Influencer, and National Beverage Director for restaurant groups.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Miami and the surrounding areas are just unbelievable, sometimes I still cannot believe that I am living in one of the most gorgeous spots in the country. I would definitely take him/her to the phenomenal beach in south Beach or if he/she would have a family traveling along I would probably take everyone to hang out in the North Beach area. If they like nature and Ocean…down to the Keys from Islamorada all the way to Key West. While you are in Miami you need to try some of the best Cuban food in Calle 8. Versailles and La Rosa first. Being Italian I will take them to have dinner at Porthole in Coral Gables. Now if my friend would like arts I will ask to come during art Basel so we can meet amazing artists and enjoy events all over the city. Is my friend a food and beverage lover like I am? I would ask to come to the SOBE Food and Wine Festival

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani

Website: www.fabriziodirienzo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabri.diri/