Embarking on a wine journey that spans continents and cultures, we sit down with Nello Gatti, “The Ambassador” of the wine world and distinguished Member of the Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ Premium Wine & Spirits Brands Advisory Board.

Hailing from Irpinia DOCG, with roots tracing back to Lacryma Christi, and an upbringing in the Lambrusco Valley, Nello’s narrative unfolds like a rich blend, reflecting a life marked by global residences, explorations in economics, and a deep connection with the world of wine.

From refined winemaking skills to his nom de guerre, “The Ambassador,” Nello’s story is one of turbulent reflections and the ever-evolving tapestry of the wine culture.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: As “The Ambassador,” you’re known for connecting wine with various subjects. How did you develop this unique approach to promoting a more inclusive wine culture?

Nello Gatti: That comes from merging both my day-by-day duties in the wine industry and all the other aspects. I was nicknamed “The Ambassador” during my old glory days spent in Spain, where I was meant to connect producers to consumers as a salesperson. But time after time, I discovered that it wasn’t just a matter of pricing or trends, as I always preferred to have a more inclusive approach to wine knowledge and let everyone feel welcome in this world.

Consumers or potential consumers come from uncountable different stories and we don’t have to hide all the facts related to an alcoholic beverage, including warnings and problems, but we can strive for better consideration and wider knowledge, so everyone’s contribution might be important to find more interesting a wine story. That’s the main reason why I choose to promote wine-sharing multi-sided influences.

LLA: What are some emerging trends or developments in the world of wine that you find particularly interesting or exciting?

NG: Wine follows society and so, a few changes may be connected to each other. As a product, specific topics such as environment, sustainability, and new generation trends seem to be the big changes of the early future, but at the same time law regulations and trade policies are trying to be up to date with our scenario, including certifications, tariffs and monopolies.

As an Italian professional, I find quite interesting all the movement behind non-alcoholic wine and a potential law regulation related to “natural wine”.  When outside the country, I love to understand different points of view coming from the market and see how we can improve the Italian wine discovery, while respecting local culture and global needs.

LLA: When assessing wine, which specific elements do you prioritize, and how do you weigh factors such as aroma, flavor, body, and finish in your overall evaluation process?

NG: The approach can drastically change depending on the desired output.

I am not that kind of “very strict” rules fan, as I actually prioritize much information behind each label such as area factors, producer history, vintage condition, winemaker’s intention, target market, and all the stories which allowed me to evaluate a glass with full deep knowledge.

So I might be against most of my colleagues, but I am a wine lover who cares more about stories rather than scores. Reasonably, I think that’s one of the few things that might be frustrating for some groups within both producers and potential consumers, but I strongly believe that’s the path to follow, being more students and fewer judges.

Scores and evaluations are important for some markets in terms of sales but we mostly have to improve a global education method which helps producers to be more aware of the market and consumers to be more involved in the wine scene. Nevertheless, don’t forget about wine pairings: today’s globalized cuisine could be an interesting thing to explore and discover some unusual connections.

LLA: For someone exploring the world of wine, what advice would you give in terms of choosing wines, especially when faced with a vast selection?

NG: Do follow your own rules. Of course, never overestimate your own knowledge or feel invincible, but try to connect your experience to people you may find inspirational to this world. Every day we have many occasions to develop our own understanding, connecting wine to some of the best pleasures we might have in the next days like holidays, dinners out, or a simple friend’s reunion.

A sommelier could be a good advisor so I’d suggest to do care about those who studied, but then it’s up to you to find your own feelings, passion, and desire to discover. We also have plenty of YouTube videos, classes, and private events, which I suggest you try at least once.

The only rule is: to keep your brain on while listening. Everyone’s feeling is different, so take the best from the others and develop your own skills. You’ve got the power!

LLA: Having engaged with winemaking, writing, event organization, associations, and even politics, your influence extends across various spheres. How do these different aspects of your life intertwine, and how do they contribute to your approach as “The Ambassador” of the wine world?

NG: I consider myself just a good listener and my main goal is to be a loyal bridge between professionals and those who didn’t get into the wine industry as a “way of life”. The global community is what I care about the most and to reach a wider audience you need to involve and encourage people to be part of the discussion.

Wine gives everyone the opportunity to feel something strictly personal, so no one’s got the real solution, but we can all be part of a shared experience where leaders pull out all the technical aspects and all the others will enrich the overall feedback. Sharing is caring. Not to forget, wine is not made by the winemakers for themselves, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with them; sharing your points. We need improvements, no more parrots.

LLA: The title “The Ambassador” has a fascinating origin. Can you share more about how this name came about and how it has shaped your approach to representing wines and winemaking traditions?

NG: I didn’t choose this nickname, I am not that narcissistic. It was a former employer who was attracted by my good manners combined with a faithful desire to get more than expected from that job. Thanks to many people, coming from both inside and outside the wine business, I am more aware of how wine culture can be pushed to a wider society rather than just considering brands, awards, and glory. I am happy while reading, and writing, and from the past experiences gaining the backbone of my future decisions. I dream of sharing with everyone who feels excluded or unprepared, an opportunity to handle this topic and be gratefully involved.

Like a real Ambassador and acting as a loyal wine communicator, taking care of suggestions and being helpful is my key mission. I just follow a few very simple rules: be real and keep studying, live the present with people you may share something and get educated by the ones who you can read the future. In Italian, I used to say “L’Ambasciatore non porta pena, ma da bere”.

LLA: Despite not coming from a long line of winemakers, you’ve noted the democratic movement in the wine world. How do you perceive the role of wine in fostering inclusivity and community, and what experiences have reinforced this belief during your decade-long journey among wineries, restaurants, and importers?

NG: My multi-sided experiences went towards different points of view, from winemakers to consumers, from importers to restaurants. As a result, I am able to consider my personal opinion of the entire line coming from the vineyard up to the glass. Today’s community is much bigger than before and as with much of today’s things, we noticed pros and cons.

Social media helps to push an unexpected raise but it also creates some new troubles within the market like fake advisors, lack of regulations, or information given with no control. On the other hand, we are not just Sommeliers who’ve been studying for years who’ve got control of pretty much everything in regards to opinions, as more people are daily jumping into this fascinating world.

Regarding inclusivity, I don’t want to victimize, but please be aware that the wine world has the same problem as society itself, including some very dark clouds I’ll not highlight along these lines. The only solution? Education first, and I am not talking about wine this time.

LLA: As a member of the Advisory Board for Luxury Lifestyle Awards, specializing in Premium Wine & Spirits Brands, how do you envision your role contributing to the recognition and celebration of exceptional wines and spirits on a global stage? What aspects of the industry do you believe are crucial for acknowledging excellence in this category?

NG: It’s an amazing opportunity to measure today’s situation. We have to recognize all the changes and challenges coming from all over the world without putting personal opinions on top, as we will be more focused on global solutions. The wine industry nowadays is not only focused on products, as global warming and market effects are both stretching the previous scenario, so it’s a historically important time to realize all the few changes we may consider to guarantee a safe and loyal future for both wine producers and consumers. I am honored to sit down together with some very bright personalities to develop a common path within this category.

LLA: Being a renowned sommelier, how do you approach pairing wines with different types of cuisines, and what considerations do you take into account?

NG: The most valuable expertise will come considering multi-sided approaches, combining your education with chefs, farmers, bartenders, and anyone involved in the food and beverage industry. The source and the origin of an ingredient might be an interesting point to consider when pairing a wine and developing a perfect match between taste and storytelling.

I also use it to connect other topics such as movies, music, or celebrities to have a better understanding and sincere feedback from the client. A simple example? I used to talk about Pavarotti and Giuseppe Verdi while explaining Lambrusco, Lorenzo de Medici when we’re jumping into the Chianti Classico world, Napoleon Bonaparte when we have to discover the wide personalities around Pinot Noir or Il Gattopardo when a Sicilian glass is on the table.

LLA: Beyond the formalities, what’s one light-hearted or amusing story from your extensive travels and experiences in the world of wine? Whether it’s an unexpected wine pairing or a memorable encounter, we’d love to hear about a moment that brought joy and laughter into your vinous adventures.

NG: Most of our good memories are linked to the people we’ve been with and so I cannot refuse to mention some memories I still keep with myself thanks to those people. Coming from 3 different experiences I’d like to pursue what people like Luca Matarazzo, Roberto Costa, and Luigi Tecce taught me. The first is a recognized and open-minded Sommelier who helped me a lot during my first wine-judging event a few years ago. I’ll never forget the effort and the happiness shared with me in order to improve and adapt my own method.

The second is a world-famous restaurateur who I consider one of the best inspirations within the Hospitality industry. He’s smart, keen on details, and always innovative, merging together hospitality experience in a very polite and collaborative manner.

Last but not least, the wine poet from my hometown, Luigi Tecce. He has no social media and prefers to read Greek literature while developing one of the most outstanding Taurasi which represents a faithful throwback to when wine was a matter of people, not industry. I deeply respect him because we sometimes have very different opinions, but the loyal friendship between us is endorsed thanks to our different points of view which we respect each other’s.

I can also mention a few other people met thanks to social media and events, but would be impolite to the ones I don’t mention, so I am very happy with colleagues when we share ideas and develop a common vision. Communication is not only my point of view but also our efficient point of connection.

As we savor the last drop of insights from Nello Gatti, “The Ambassador,” we are reminded that the world of wine is not merely about what’s poured into a glass but the stories it encapsulates—the stories of cultural richness, inclusion, and community. Cheers to a life well-paired!