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Wine press review for Saturday December 27 – 2025

with:

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

Italian wineries

Cantina Terre del Barolo: Growing cooperation (Langhe) Consolidating balance sheet: revenue close to €22 million (8%) and net profit of €2.7 million . The shareholders’ meeting on January 11th will be an opportunity to share investments and strategies, with a focus on the vineyard and supporting the local area.

Antica Cantina di San Severo: INNOWINE and low alcohol (Puglia) The INNOWINE research project has been concluded (final conference 16 October 2025): optimization of an innovative and sustainable process for producing low-alcohol wines, in collaboration with the University of Foggia and technical-scientific partners.

Colosi, Salina: Volcanic Wines and Family Identity (Aeolian Islands) A tale of generational continuity and island-based work: vineyards, volcanic soils, and Mediterranean style. The narrative focuses on authenticity, local tradition, and supply chain oversight.

Lea Winery / Franc Lizêr: 0% sparkling wine and sustainability (Friuli Venezia Giulia) A project launched in 2018: 132 hectares (105 hectares of vineyards), sustainability as an operational practice. The 0% alcohol line (rosé sparkling wine) uses membrane technology to preserve aromas and flavor profile, with a “contemporary drinking” positioning.

Tenute Carrisi (Al Bano): critical review. A deliberately provocative tone and clear judgment: a media case that reopens the issue of “celebrity wine” vs. perceived quality and coherence of positioning.

Camilla Lunelli: Female Leadership and the Ferrari Trento Model. Focus on governance and generational transition (“family pact”), with a key fact: in Italy, only a minority of wineries are run by women. The message: excellence as a daily operational culture, not a slogan.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Holiday Pairings: The Right Wine to Avoid Ruining Dinner. From “fish” Christmas Eve to desserts: this article highlights the most common mistakes (wrong contrasts, mismatched intensities) and the real impact that an out-of-place wine can have on the overall taste of the meal.

Lambrusco: Identity and Future of a Popular Wine Lambrusco as a system (territories, grape varieties, styles) is undergoing a repositioning process: balancing volume and value, more informed storytelling, and stylistic consistency to meet a market that prizes recognizability.

Francesco Sorelli: “The Molecule of Civilization” Wine as a cultural and historical phenomenon: myth, art, philosophy, and “enography” to explain how wine has accompanied human social evolution long before writing.

International

Sotheby’s & Masters of Wine: Online Auction at £147,000. The Institute of Masters of Wine’s benefit auction achieved a positive result: some lots sold above estimate, others fetched collectors a bargain. The top lot by auction was a Champagne-themed experience tied to Bollinger.

Champagne and Meunier: the “accessible route” to luxury. With purchasing power under pressure, there is growing interest in more “entry-level” Champagnes based on Meunier grapes: same appellation, different composition, with the aim of capturing demand without sacrificing status.

Italian sparkling wines: the most popular bubbles in the US. Production by 2025 will exceed 1.03 billion bottles , with 360 million destined for the holidays. Exports dominate (about 7 out of 10 exports): an industrial axis that supports volumes and market shares, avoiding supply chain declines.

Wine events

Grosjean x Pila (Aosta Valley): When the mountains meet wine. Official collaboration starting December 28th between the winery, the resort, and the tourist consortium: tastings, mountain activities, and vouchers for winery visits (valid for 12 months). Wine tourism “without fireworks,” but with method.

Pietrabbondante “Divino” – Christmas Wineries (Molise) On December 28th, a food and wine tour of wineries, local cuisine, and culture (music, poetry, art). Wineries open at 7:30 pm with a sommelier and a selection of regional wines.

New Year’s Eve: bottle selections and “out-of-the-box bubbles.” Two “service” features: a bottle list to break the ice and a selection guided by a young sommelier (focusing on lesser-known territories and with a limited budget). A useful format for both the general public and restaurants.

Rovereto: the historic Due Colonne bar reopens. New management, a retro identity, and a wine-focused menu (in addition to cocktails and tapas) are a sign of how the wine bar experience continues to evolve.

QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor Where value isn’t talked about: it’s demonstrated. Complex transactions, sectors we truly understand, management right through to closing.

Thanks for listening: today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Thursday December 25 – 2025

with:

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

Italian wineries

Conte Vistarino, Pinot Noir Oltrepò Pavese Tavernetto 2019 A Pinot Noir that recounts over 160 years of Oltrepò Pavese history. The 2019 Tavernetto combines memory and drinkability: an elegant profile, crisp fruit, measured oak, and a dynamic palate that emphasizes freshness and tension.

Tenuta Secolo IX makes Moscatello Casauria sparkling wine. The Abruzzo winery presents “Fonte Moscato Spumante Dolce,” a limited edition of 3,300 bottles. Made using the Martinotti method, it has a 6.5% ABV, a high residual sugar content, and is a project that showcases a historic grape variety from the Castiglione a Casauria area.

NAMA 2022: Chardonnay according to Nals Margreid. The latest vintage of NAMA, a wine that symbolizes the evolution of the Alto Adige winery, was presented at the Merano Wine Festival. A project that reflects stylistic maturity, production continuity, and a dialogue between architecture, terroir, and winemaking vision.

Barone Pizzini and the Rosé from Pinot Noir. From its 19th-century origins to the birth of Franciacorta DOC, and its pioneering move to organic, Barone Pizzini confirms its identity-building journey based on sustainability and respect for the land.

Cantina Marilina has been awarded the Confeserfidi Future Award 2025. This recognition recognizes its commitment to the ethical and sustainable agricultural supply chain, with a focus on enhancing the local winemaking heritage and its positive impact on the region.

Restoration of the former Stradella Social Winery. Technical assessments have begun to evaluate the partial removal of the monument restrictions and unblock restoration work on the complex, currently in a state of disrepair.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Europe’s highest wine is produced in Morgex. On the slopes of Mont Blanc, Prié Blanc grows up to 1,280 meters. The Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle appellation is a symbol of extreme viticulture, climate resilience, and cultural identity.

Lambrusco PGI: the identity and future of a popular wine. Between tradition, volumes, and new qualitative ambitions, Lambrusco is undergoing a redefinition. Producers and consortia are being challenged to craft a more informed narrative, one that is more consistent with the contemporary market.

Vin Santo: a “relational” wine from Tuscany. An anthropological study of Vin Santo as an expression of memory, hospitality, and ritual, rather than a commercial product.

The best Italian wine under 10 euros According to the 2026 BereBene guide by Gambero Rosso, the 2024 Grignolino d’Asti from the Post dal Vin Terre del Barbera cooperative winery stands out for its quality-price ratio, with a score of 93/100.

Holiday pairings: whites, reds, and sparkling wines. From seafood to meat-based menus, sommeliers’ tips for avoiding mistakes that can ruin your Christmas dining experience.

International

United Kingdom: Alcohol consumption at an all-time low. In 2024, average consumption fell to 10.2 drinks per week per adult. This structural decline was offset, however, by peaks concentrated around the Christmas period.

The seventh-best wine in the world according to Wine Spectator. A critical reflection on the gap between iconic ratings, actual bottle accessibility, and end-consumer perception.

Wine Exports 2026: A Year of Laser Focus A discussion between sales directors and export managers highlights a complex context: mature markets, geopolitical uncertainties, and the need for increasingly selective and targeted strategies.

Wine events

Sparkling wine is the star of the holidays . Over 106 million bottles were uncorked between Christmas and New Year’s. Production is expected to exceed 1.03 billion bottles in 2025, with 96% of the bottles being Made in Italy.

A Christmas toast in Neviglie with the Bera family. A day of conviviality and local hospitality that brought together producers, institutions, and enthusiasts in the spirit of Langhe hospitality.

Langhe: open cellars between Christmas and Epiphany. From December 26th to January 6th, visits and wine tourism experiences to discover wines, villages, and traditions during a time of more intimate hospitality.

Sustainable wine tourism and digital platforms. The wine tourism sector is growing, worth approximately €2.9 billion in Italy. New digital services are facilitating connections between travelers, wineries, and regions.

QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor Where value isn’t talked about: it’s demonstrated. For fifty years, we’ve supported strategic transactions in the wine and mineral water sectors, with industrial vision, local knowledge, and support right up to the closing of the deal.

Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .

See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Thursday December 25 – 2025

with:

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

Italian wineries

  • Farewell to Peppe Bonci , an enlightened winemaker of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi: a key figure in the qualitative rebirth of the Marche grape variety from the 1980s onwards, capable of transforming mass production into a territorial identity.
  • Collalto, a thousand years of wine and nobility : the thousand-year history of the Conte Collalto winery, from its documented origins in 958 to today, a symbol of agricultural and winemaking continuity in the Treviso area.
  • Mezzacorona surprises with its “everyday” wines : not the top-of-the-line ones, but the Trentino cooperative’s current labels stand out for their quality and reliability, confirming the strength of the structured cooperative model.
  • Cantine di Verona , 2024–25 fiscal year: revenue of €58.3 million (1.57%) and net profit of €420,000. Large-scale retail trade is holding up well and direct sales outlets are stable.
  • Nals Margreid , double recognition: Chardonnay Nama 2021 and Pinot Bianco Sirmian 2023 awarded the 5 Grappoli Bibenda and included among the 10 best wines in Italy.
  • Cantina Tramin presents Epokale 2017 , Gewürztraminer Spätlese: an iconic wine, aged in the mine, limited production (2,150 bottles) and longevity of over 20 years.
  • Cantina Marilina awarded the Confeserfidi Future Award – Promoting Made in Italy for sustainability, vision, and ethical supply chain.
  • Marrone Farm (La Morra) : four generations, 25 hectares of vineyards, and an approach that goes beyond organic and biodynamic, focusing on agronomic rigor and Langhe identity.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

  • Wine sales in Italian retail are heading for their fifth consecutive negative year : in the first 11 months of 2025, 552 million liters were sold (-3%), while the value remained virtually stable at €2.05 billion. Average prices are rising, but volumes are declining.
  • “If it’s cheaper at the supermarket, why buy it at the winery?” Comparative pricing is putting pressure on direct sales. The answer lies in storytelling, perceived value, and experience.
  • Wine in the EU until 2035 : production, consumption, and exports are expected to decline. Young people are more moderate, with fewer reds and more sparkling wines, whites, and wine-based beverages (low/no alcohol).
  • Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG : 2025 closes with 98 million bottles produced, confirming the centrality of Italian sparkling wines.
  • Wine and spirits packaging, 2026 trajectories : less neutrality and more regulatory, logistical, and communication constraints. The importance of transparency, legibility, and consistent positioning is growing.
  • Wine and health : Professor Scapagnini’s research on moderate drinking, cognitive health, and psychological well-being, reinterpreting wine from a Mediterranean and evolutionary perspective.
  • Alcohol and weight gain : During the holidays, alcohol blocks fat burning and affects metabolic balance more than you might think.
  • The perfect wine at the table : pairings, yes, but without overpowering the flavor of the food. The best wine is the one that makes the drinker happy, as long as it complements the dish.

International

  • The wine of the future in 2026 : gloomy balance sheets and complex forecasts. Divestments and writedowns by large international groups signal a phase of profound restructuring in the sector.
  • 2026 trends according to Bibendum (UK) : growth of French rosé, return of wine by the glass and relaunch of Pinot Noir as a response to the decline of structured reds.
  • Wine exports 2026: “laser focus” : a discussion between export directors of major Italian groups. Less dispersion, more market selection, and greater risk management.
  • The “Rosso Jannik” case in Manduria : unauthorized use of Jannik Sinner’s image on bottles of Primitivo. No legal action was taken, but the issue of protecting its authenticity remains.

Wine events, awards and wine culture

  • Christmas 2025: twenty recommended wines for the holidays and ten labels to bring to the table : selections designed for all budgets, with attention to quality/price and conviviality.
  • The best wines of Veneto 2025 (Vinetia Guide) : award-winning sparkling wines, whites, reds, rosés, and wines for aging, with three Vicenza excellences highlighted.
  • Slow Wine Fair 2026 : expanded focus on Central and South America, with wineries from Argentina, Chile, and Mexico and a prize dedicated to South American wine lists.
  • Cantina Sant’Andrea – “RaccontaStorie” : on December 27th, a poetic walk through the Campo Soriano vineyards, exploring memories, nature, and agricultural and pastoral culture.
  • Gallura Award 2025 : Awards presented aboard the Moby Fantasy, celebrating wine, business, and the Sardinian region.
  • A change of direction has taken place at Corriere Vinicolo : Fabio Ciarla will be the new editor-in-chief starting January, in a spirit of continuity and focus on the sector’s future challenges.

QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor

Where value isn’t just talked about: it’s demonstrated. For fifty years, we’ve been supporting entrepreneurs, funds, and international groups in strategic transactions in the wine and mineral water sectors, with industrial vision, in-depth knowledge of the local areas, and support right through to closing.

Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Tuesday December 23 – 2025

with:

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Consorzio Colli di Conegliano DOCG Isabella Collalto de Croÿ has been elected president of the Consortium. She succeeds Sante Toffoli after 17 years in office. The focus of the new direction: identity, uniqueness, and recognizability on national and international markets.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG closed 2025 with 98 million bottles sold (8% more than in 2024). This result confirms the solidity of the denomination and the strength of the consortium model.

Cantine di Verona Consolidated turnover of €58.3 million (11-month period). Large-scale retail sales are growing (2.5%), with a slight decline in direct sales outlets. Italian market share at 80%, exports at 20%.

Cantina Tollo: Production value up 35%, turnover up 20%. Member compensation improved. Abruzzo cooperative growing despite challenging conditions.

Caviro Group closed its 2025 financial statements at €351 million. Margins improved, EBIT returned to positive territory, and the financial structure strengthened. Bioenergy and supply chain integration remain strategic drivers.

Cantina Marilina has been awarded the Confeserfidi Future Award – Made in Italy 2025 Promotion Prize for sustainability, ethical supply chain, and local impact.

Cà dell’Orsa (Viggiù – Varese) A small classic method winery on the Swiss border. Young producers, a rediscovered territory, and a 90-point entry into the Veronelli Guide.

La Collina dei Ciliegi – Valpantena Prea Rosso Verona IGT 2021 presented. Supervalpantena project that combines oenological research, altitude and study of the terroir.

La Cantina – Alghero (Santa Maria La Palma) Temporary closure starting January 1, 2026 for renovations and a new strategic partnership. Reopening expected in approximately three months.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Best Italian wine under €10 : A Grignolino del Monferrato wins the quality-price award in Gambero Rosso’s 2026 BereBene guide. A “rediscovered” grape variety that’s making a comeback.

Italian sparkling wines for the holidays The Gambero Rosso selection for the 2026 Italian Wines Guide recognizes high-quality Classic Method and Charmat wines, many under 25 euros, several under 20.

Italy, the leading destination for food and wine tourism. According to the 2025 Italian Food and Wine Tourism Report, Italy is the leading destination for food and wine tourism. International demand and the propensity to return are growing.

2026 Wine Package – Federdoc Strengthened the role of protection consortia: from control bodies to true strategic governance players in the sector.

EU agriculture funds : Fraud alert: 1,433 irregularities in the 2022–2023 two-year period amounting to €138 million. A critical issue for the sector’s credibility and governance.

Wineries and Wine Estates Global investors are increasingly interested in vineyards and estates as real estate and production assets, with increasingly structured management models.

A rural spa in the cellar. The Pratello farm (Lake Garda) integrates wine, architecture, and wellness. Evolving wine tourism as a lever of value.

A glass that tells a novel. “Polvere di Ricordi” is born, a wine inspired by a novel and an integral part of the narrative. Literature and winemaking meet.

Vinology – Pairings Alessandro Torcoli’s new book proposes a rational and non-anxiety-inducing approach to food and wine pairing: method before rhetoric.

INTERNATIONAL

Fine wine under pressure. According to an analysis by Chandra Kurt (Weinseller Guide Journal), wars, tariffs, climate change, and alcohol marketing are holding back markets. Smaller regions are suffering the most. We need to change language and simplify.

Wine-Lister Leagues 2025: The drivers of the future: changing styles (more elegant and light wines) and wine tourism. Protecting the cultural value of wine and conviviality is key.

Collectible Wine Auctions : Wannenes’ “The Wine & Spirits Vintage Auction” nearly raised €350,000, with 70% of the lots sold. Collectibles are holding up, even in difficult times.

WINE EVENTS AND WINE CULTURE

Open Cellars at Christmas 2025 The FVG Wine Tourism Movement’s format combines visits, tastings, and gift experiences throughout December.

Stories about Wine The sixth edition of the Città del Vino literary prize is underway, with the winning stories published nationally.

Orvieto’s Palazzo del Vino: The Municipality confirms direct management of the structure as a strategic hub for promotion, events, and training.

Salone del Vino Torino 2026 From February 28th to March 2nd at the OGR: over 600 wineries, masterclasses and a technical day reserved for operators.

QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor Where value isn’t told: it’s demonstrated.

In wine and mineral water, every decision matters. For fifty years, we’ve been supporting entrepreneurs and investors in the transactions that truly transform a company’s future.

Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .

See you tomorrow.