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Wine press review for Saturday December 13 – 2025

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News about Italian wine, cellars and wines.

Italian wineries

Sankt Pauls Winery – Four Great Labels from Alto Adige From Kalkberg Pinot Bianco to Lagröll Lagrein Riserva, four iconic wines from the cooperative founded in 1907: rigorous selection of plots, long refinements, and a strong territorial imprint at the foot of Mount Macaion.

Producers of Manduria – the soul of Primitivo The historic Apulian cooperative tells the story of Primitivo between past and future: from structured reds like Lirica and Madrigale DOCG, to fresher, more contemporary interpretations like AKA rosé and AKA Charme.

Tenuta Sant’Aquilina – new sparkling wine from Sangiovese. Almanìni Rosé Extra Brut Metodo Classico 24 months is born: aged in an ancient cave in Santarcangelo di Romagna, between oenological innovation and historical memory.

Vigna Madre – Di Carlo Family Six generations linked to Abruzzo viticulture: a narrative that unites time, the energy of the land, and family continuity, from 19th-century origins to the contemporary vision.

Ruffino – a new chapter in Tuscan wine. A restyling of the identity and a repositioning for one of Chianti’s historic brands. Six estates, a focus on advanced wine tourism and the valorization of the local heritage.

Velenosi – the white challenge from mountain vineyards “Montagna”, a pure Pecorino from high-altitude vineyards (560–700 m): steel, essentiality and Apennine character for a taut and distinctive white.

Andreola – Promoting the Rive di Valdobbiadene Clear strategy for the DOCG: highlight individual geographical indications to convey the nuances of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene region.

Vigne dei Mastri – Monferrato between hospitality and wine A young but well-established company, combining wine production and wine tourism, with a strong focus on hospitality.

Tenute Deidda – the first winery in Mandas (Sardinia) is born. A family project that continues the father’s agricultural work and inaugurates the town’s first winery, in the heart of Trexenta.

Anna’s Winery – Smaragdus Bianco Anna De Santis’s unique white wine, Müller Thurgau from mature vines in the Aosta Valley: artisanal production with a strong connection to the territory.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Friuli Venezia Giulia – €121 million for agriculture and supply chains. Regional resources for ecological transition, local product promotion, rural logistics networks, and forestry management.

Colli Piacentini Consortium – End of Representative Status. The DOC Consortium ceases operations on December 31st due to a lack of Masaf requirements. The Board of Directors remains in office for ordinary administration.

Asolo DOCG – Consortium Coordinator Zuccato resigns : the issue of internal governance of the Asolo Montello Wine Consortium resurfaces.

Alto Adige – the phenomenon of the “Super Südtiroler” Top-of-the-line wines, often blended, with long aging periods and high prices: a distinctively South Tyrolean response to the concept of super wines.

Oltrepò Pavese – the Classese brand is born. The Classic Method Pinot Noir is changing its name: the new brand will be officially presented at Vinitaly 2026.

Piedmont – 2025 production declines. Volumes between -7% and -10%, but grape quality is good. Exports slightly down: a technical and economic snapshot of the regional vintage.

Wine-Searcher – The Best Italian Wines of 2025 Masseto, Brunello Cerretalto, and Solaia dominate the rankings: Tuscany and Piedmont are the absolute stars of collecting.

International

Bas Armagnac Dartigalongue – new blends and a new identity A complete rethinking of the historic French Maison: refinements, toasting, blends, and design to enhance the aromatic evolution.

Wine events and wine culture

Teatro San Carlo in Naples – official Dubl sparkling wines. The collaboration between Europe’s oldest opera house and the Campania Classic Method of the Tenute Capaldo – Feudi di San Gregorio Group begins.

“The Soul of Amarone” – art, wine, and artificial intelligence Fabrizio Plessi’s site-specific installation in the Fruttaio di Monteleone21 transforms Amarone into light, image, and movement.

Sauvignon Blanc Tasting: A sensory journey led by André Senoner through international interpretations of the grape variety, with a blind tasting.

Cantine d’Italia 2026 – Go Wine Over 850 wineries reviewed: the guide confirms its position as a reference for wine tourism and excellent wines.

Casa Grazia Sciarm Vol.2 – wine, oil and a culture of peace From December 14th to 15th in Sicily, a festival that unites territories, gastronomy and cultural values.

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

See you tomorrow.

QUIDQUID, Strategic Business Advisor

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Where value isn’t told: it’s demonstrated.

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QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor
Wine & Mineral Water | High-Value Transactions

www.quidquid.eu – info@quidquid.eu

Wine press review for Friday December 12 – 2025

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Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Wine raises a toast to UNESCO’s recognition of Italian Cuisine. The recognition of Italian Cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is enthusiastically welcomed by the wine world, an integral part of conviviality and national economic value. For UIV, wine contributes significantly to wealth and employment, with a foreign trade balance of approximately €7.5 billion annually. This is an encouraging sign in a challenging period for the sector.

The resilience of wine: producing less, but better. Cantina Frentana responds to declining consumption and global uncertainty by focusing on quality, protecting the land and its members. With the merger with Cantina San Giacomo, following the merger with Cantina Sangro, a new, more solid cooperative is born.

Failed 2025 table grape season According to Donato Fanelli (CUT), the weather has compromised the campaign: 90% of the latest stocks were lost due to botrytis and humidity, affecting both seeded and seedless grapes.

The 2025 Piedmont Wine Vintage has been presented. Estimated production exceeds 2.15 million hectoliters (-7%/-10%), revenue of €1.18 billion, and exports down 2.8%. An early harvest and lower yields, but good grape quality.

Natural wine and certifications: the debate Jean-Hugues Bretin (Raisin) warns against certifying natural wine, fearing drifts similar to those of organic and excessive lobbying influence on a still niche but highly visible movement.

NoLo and Alcohol-Free Drinks: Between Health and New Habits The market for low- and no-alcohol drinks is growing, driven by younger generations and a greater focus on health, especially during periods of heavy drinking like the holidays.

Carbon farming and digital Carbon as a new “crop”: carbon farming, also supported by digital technologies, could generate carbon credits and new revenue for farms, in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal.

Agriculture and Credit: Growing Financing In the first half of 2025, bank financing to agricultural businesses grew by 30.5%, well above the average for Italian businesses, driven by unsecured mortgages and loans.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Tenuta Artimino and the “differently native” New single-variety crus tell the story of contemporary Medici wine, with an approach that places the vineyard, territory and history at the centre.

Vecchie Terre di Montefili, the voice of the Chianti Classico Sangiovese hillside between Panzano and Montefioralle: an agricultural and cultural project that seamlessly restores the local identity.

Terre d’Oltrepò: Possible buyer for the cooperative. The cooperative in liquidation is in a delicate situation; the Region emphasizes the commissioner’s work to ensure continuity and respect for members.

Super Südtiroler: Alto Adige raises the bar. A new category of top-of-the-range Alto Adige wines is born, based on native varieties and long refinements, with a premium positioning.

Tenuta Lagala, hospitality and tradition in Vulture. Agritourism and viticulture in the heart of Basilicata, between Venosa and Matera, offering a blend of hospitality and agricultural heritage.

Case Alte in Camporeale: Local Catarratto and Syrah. In the heart of the Monreale DOC, a winery that showcases historic Sicilian grape varieties.

Villa Saletta, the winery as a “theater of making” The architectural project by Rossiprodi Associati transforms the winery into a continuous narrative between landscape, production, and hospitality.

INTERNATIONAL

Ukrainian wine market recovering. According to the USDA report, consumption and imports will return to growth in 2024-2025. Italy is a leading supplier, with demand skewed toward dry wines and Western styles, especially among young people.

The Great Wine Brands Invest in Masters of Wine. Starting in 2026, the Grandi Marchi Institute will once again support the Institute of Masters of Wine. The introductory course will return to Italy in 2026, in Puglia, at the Rivera winery.

WINE EVENTS AND WINE CULTURE

“61-37 – Wine and Cabala” at Vesuvius On December 19, 2025 at Vigna delle Rose (Casa Setaro) a historic vertical of Vesuvio DOP Contradae 61-37, led by AIS Vesuvio, between numbers, symbols and territory.

Producers from Sicily and Marche at the Carrù Fat Ox Fair. A Slow Food initiative to discover one of Piedmont’s most deeply rooted agricultural and food traditions.

Christmas in the Cellar in Tuglie Music, culture, and solidarity in the festival hosted by Cantina Peparussu, with events until January 6, 2025.

CONSUMPTION, STORIES AND SUGGESTIONS

The right wine for every person you love. Five characters, five wines: wine as a “psychological” gift, capable of telling the story of both the giver and the recipient.

Holiday wines and Christmas gifts Advice and reflections on conviviality: sparkling wines, whites, reds and dessert wines as a symbol of sharing.

Wine in 300 strokes Cannonau di Sardegna 2023 Iolei: steel, austerity and fragrance for a young company from Oliena.

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

See you tomorrow.

Wine Trends and Performance in Italy — Week 8–12 December 2025

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The week of December 8–12, 2025, captures an Italian wine in a “two-speed” phase: a major reputational and cultural boost (with the long-lasting impact of UNESCO recognition of Italian Cuisine), but also real economic tensions on exports and consumption.

In the middle, a rather clear winner: whites and sparkling wines (with Prosecco being the driving force), supported by new, more “everyday” consumption styles and a young target audience.

Red wines and categories more closely tied to traditional consumption are suffering the most, while the HoReCa channel remains a battleground where positioning, distribution partners, and the ability to activate sell-out make the difference.

1) UNESCO: Italian Cuisine Recognized, Wine Claims Centrality (and Economic Value)

UNESCO’s recognition of Italian Cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is seen by the industry as a sign of energy to restart in a challenging time. The key message: wine is not an accessory, it is a structural part of Italian dining culture.

  • Uiv (Frescobaldi/Castelletti) underlines the impact not only symbolic but also industrial: wine contributes to wealth and employment, with a positive foreign trade balance indicated at around 7.5 billion euros/year .
  • Federvini interprets the award as a reward for a comprehensive culture of conviviality, where wines, spirits, and vinegars are pillars of identity; and connects it to new perspectives for promoting Made in Italy products and food and wine tourism .
  • Città del Vino (over 500 municipalities) reaffirms the link between production, culture, development, and territorial identity.
  • Veronafiere/Vinitaly links the theme to international promotion through its own platforms (Vinitaly and the trade fair “ecosystem”).
  • Federdoc emphasizes an additional responsibility: protecting and promoting Designations of Origin as a guarantee of quality, traceability, and sustainability.
  • Fivi recalls the concreteness behind the “intangible heritage”: people and territories, especially internal areas , avoiding “embalming” tradition and focusing on economic and social innovation.
  • Assoenologi promotes the food-wine union as a historically successful combination, now strengthened by global recognition.

Operational implications: Recognition becomes a powerful narrative and commercial lever, but it only works if translated into action (promotion, wine tourism, DO protection, training, territorial oversight).

2) Consumption: less quantity, more selection. Reward freshness and drinkability.

A clear pattern emerges on the domestic market: people drink less often , domestic purchases are more selective , “special occasions” are on the rise, and categories perceived as more contemporary are prevailing. The focus is shifting toward fresh, versatile, and (partly) lower-alcohol wines , with a growing awareness of well-being and lifestyle.

In this week’s story, this transformation isn’t a collapse: it’s a constant erosion of traditional consumption, with demand redistributed toward segments that are easier to integrate into everyday life.

3) Sparkling wines: structural resilience and a driving force for young people. Prosecco, a global player.

The data and analyses cited confirm that, despite a difficult 2024, sparkling wine is holding up better than still wines in key markets and is strongly appealing to Gen Z and Millennials : bubbles are moving away from the sole logic of “celebration” and entering informal consumption.

Key points emerged:

  • Prosecco growing especially in the USA and France , more static in the United Kingdom (signs of a “peak”).
  • Champagne in difficulty in three markets: its premium positioning and higher prices make it more vulnerable in a phase of economic uncertainty and “down-trading”.
  • Space is opening up for “sidebar” but growing categories: flavoured sparkling wines (USA) , Crémant (France) , English sparkling wines (UK) , and cocktails/spritzes as occasional drivers.

Strategic reading: to grow, simply “making bubbles” isn’t enough; you need to manage consumption moments (aperitifs, informal gatherings, cocktail culture) and speak the language of younger audiences without distorting their identity and quality.

4) US exports: a loud alarm bell (and one to be handled without panic)

Lamberto Frescobaldi (UIV) reports a stark figure: approximately €110 million lost in three months on the US market compared to the same period in the previous year. The picture he describes is one of weakened demand and cautious distribution.

  • Italian wine exports to the USA: from 12.5% in value in the first quarter (driven by pre-duty frontloading ) to -4% in the first nine months , with -23% in the last quarter .
  • Average price leaving American distribution increased by approximately 4/5 points in October.
  • Retail orders for the Thanksgiving period did not pick up as expected.

Operational implications: the key word is “crisis management”: market diversification, work on shelf rotation and perceived value, avoiding both catastrophism and superficial optimism.

5) EU Rules: “Wine Package” between simplification and new categories (No/Low alcohol)

This week saw positive feedback for the EU’s political agreement on the Wine Package , seen as a step towards greater regulatory clarity and business stability. Among the elements highlighted:

  • Simplifications on labelling (including push for a harmonised symbol for access via QR code).
  • Greater continuity and access to CMO measures.
  • Promotion in third countries with extension of programs for up to 9 years (project stability).
  • Recognition of wine tourism as a strategic lever.
  • Clarifications on the wording for dealcoholized products: “alcohol-free” with “0.0%” below a very low threshold; and “alcohol reduced” for products above certain thresholds and with a significant reduction compared to the starting category (excluding the wording “low alcohol”).

Operational implications: Simplification can free up energy (less bureaucracy, more planning), but the real challenge will be implementation: consistency, timing, and interpretation.

6) HoReCa Italy: market “at breakeven”, but sparkling wines are an exception

In the HoReCa channel, the overall picture is one of slowdown, with the sector projected to close to stability by 2025. Within this scenario, however, sparkling wines stand out as the most dynamic segment.

Data and indications of the week:

  • Wine accounts for approximately 17% of beverage distributors’ revenue ; sparkling wines account for 33% of wine sales in the HoReCa sector.
  • In the world of sparkling wines, Prosecco accounts for 47% of category sales (almost half the market).
  • Signs of difficulty with alcoholic beverages (decreases in wine and beer consumption were reported in some periods), requiring targeted strategies.

Strategic lines suggested by the content:

  • Abandon the logic of just sell-in : we need to move the product to the point of consumption ( sell-out , activations, training).
  • Choose distribution partners carefully (the market is extremely heterogeneous in terms of size, philosophy, and impact of wine).
  • Clear positioning (target and context of use), network support, measurable initiatives and benchmarks.

7) Territories: Collio as a “case study” of white wine endurance

Among the denominations, Collio is described as recovering despite difficulties (taxes and the November flood). Key message: white wines are holding up . Mentioned are:

  • Stable sales across key price ranges and markets.
  • US exports from Collio are expected to decline by around 10% , a decline deemed absorbable with diversification.
  • Northern Europe is positive, Germany is stagnant; China has potential but is inconsistent; Southeast Asia is interesting for its food pairings, but requires promotional work.

Operational implication: Resilience is not “automatic”: it is the result of a market portfolio, consistent positioning, and continuous investment in demand.

8) Outlook 2026: Moderate rebound possible, driven by whites and bubbles

The week ends with a more “breathable” horizon for 2026: stabilizing inflation and the disposal of inventories in some markets open the possibility of a moderate rebound in demand , with white and sparkling wines as the main drivers and more contemporary communication capable of engaging new segments.

At the same time, authoritative voices (such as Carlo Ferrini) urge us to combine realism and confidence: the crisis is multifactorial (overproduction, prices, wars, generational change), but it is also a transformation that can be governed.

Final summary

During the week of December 8–12, 2025, Italian wine is experiencing a typically Italian paradox: at its peak cultural and identity strength (UNESCO) while battling a complex market environment (a slowing US market, more selective consumption). The clearest trajectory, however, emerges clearly: accessible premium, fresh, drinkable, sparkling wines and whites , with more rigorous focus on channels (HoReCa) and markets (export diversification), and with EU regulations that, if properly implemented, can reduce friction and increase the supply chain’s investment capacity.