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Wine press review for Wednesday February 4 -2026

with:

Italian wineries and producers, wine news.

Italian wineries

Barbera d’Asti’s resurgence enters the world’s top 10. Wine Spectator has recognized Chiarlo’s “Le Orme” among the great international wines. This recognition completes a journey that began in the 1960s: from a popular wine to a global icon of Monferrato.

Marilina Winery, Val di Noto. The Paternò family focuses on native, organic grape varieties. Limestone soils, Mediterranean winds, and manual farming create a coherent vision of identity and sustainability.

Baglio di Pianetto launches the 2026 Manifesto, “Wine Knows No Bad Intentions”: a campaign manifesto that refocuses wine as a cultural, landscape, and social phenomenon. Six principles for a new narrative of Sicilian wine.

Le Crode, mountain grappa in Belluno Vincenzo Agostini keeps alive the only active distillery in the province of Belluno, restoring the historic building and still: artisan resistance at high altitude.

Bosca presents the Luigi Bosca dealcoholized Rosso. A zero-alcohol red that surprises with its drinkability and identity. Not a sacrifice, but a new way of drinking. Bosca confirms its pioneering vision of no/low alcohol.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Langhe Nebbiolo in bag-in-box format: an open debate. Young producers are in favor, but small wineries are divided. The format is seen as a solution to unsold stock and a response to Northern Europe, but fears of reputational impact remain.

Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato, a grape variety saved from oblivion. The story of Don Giacomo Cauda and a unique semi-aromatic grape variety, now a DOCG, that tells the story of a less obvious Piedmont.

Mountain wines, the excellence of the Alps. From Valtellina to the Dolomites, 15 labels symbolizing heroic viticulture ready to shine at the Milan-Cortina 2026 race.

Valpolicella: less organic, more integrated pest management. Membership of the SQNPI (Self-Protection System) is growing: pragmatic sustainability, cost control, and greater climate adaptability. Over 53% of the land is already involved.

Amarone 2021: a complex vintage, consistent wines Presented at Amarone Opera Prima 2026: irregular climate, careful management and a return to freshness and acidity as a stylistic feature.

Plant diseases: €2 million to agricultural businesses. Condifesa TVB completes settlements for damage to vineyards and arable land: the first operational case of fully functioning mutual funds in Europe.

International

Northern Sardinia conquers Denmark. Promocamera’s mission to Copenhagen: 15 wineries, over 80 operators met. The Danish market confirms its position as a strategic hub for Scandinavia.

Too much wine, too few sales: the sector under pressure. Over 8 billion bottles remain unsold in Italy. Analyses indicate a structural decline in European volumes by 2035.

Pizzolato Winery partners with Winter House Milano 2026. Focus on the USA and a Zero Alcohol proposal for the Olympic context: sparkling and non-alcoholic RTDs for a contemporary and inclusive toast.

Wine events

Slow Wine Fair 2026: Historic Vintages Take Center Stage. The Wine Bank showcases time as a value: older vintages compared to current ones.

Italian City of Wine 2026–2027. The Castelli Romani region will hand over to Conegliano Valdobbiadene and Vulture. For the first time, two regions will unite.

Pompeii returns to producing organic wine. A unique winery is born in the Archaeological Park, in collaboration with Feudi di San Gregorio: wine as a cultural and scientific project.

Let’s Drink South: Calabria Takes Center Stage. Record results for the seventh edition: nine award-winning labels and two new regional ambassadors.

Vito Oddo won a double award for his Amber “Re Siculo” as Best Orange Wine and Best Label at the Beviamoci Sud Festival.

Vinario4 opens at Rome’s Mercato Centrale: a new space showcasing wine, cuisine, local produce, and sustainability.

WineAI Forum – Alba, May 8, 2026 International conference on artificial intelligence and digital innovation applied to viticulture.

Food and wine events 6–8 February 2026 Festivals, fairs, and tastings throughout Italy, with Milan already in an Olympic mood.

Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Tuesday February 3 -2026

with:

Italian wineries and producers, wine news.

Italian wineries

Wine as a choice, not a defense. Martin Foradori Hofstätter ‘s contribution opens a lucid discussion on the future of wine: communication, territory, the consumer crisis, and no/low-alcohol wines as a possible path. This presentation invites the sector to govern change, not endure it.

Cantina Marilina (Val di Noto): identity and native grape varieties. A Sicilian family history founded on organic farming, respect for the soil, and the valorization of local grape varieties in one of the Mediterranean’s most favorable climates.

Nove Lune: PIWI Gold for its passito “Theia.” The Cenate Sopra winery stands out at the 5th National PIWI Wine Show, confirming the qualitative potential of resilient and sustainable viticulture.

Orsogna Winery: wine, biodiversity, and folk culture. From the revival of native grape varieties to the peasant devotion to Saint Anthony the Abbot, wine becomes a vehicle for cultural identity and collective memory.

Nals Margreid: three whites, three vintages. The Alto Adige cooperative presents a vertical tasting of its iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, exploring terroir, time, and production precision.

Casa Tallone and the Roero challenge. The Sacchetto brothers aim to free Roero from the shadow of the Langhe, with clear technical choices and a contemporary vision of the vineyard.

Cantina Giardino: the Aglianico that demands silence. “Le Fole” comes from historic Montemarano vineyards, cultivated with rigorous organic methods and a simple approach: a story of agriculture even before it becomes a winemaking one.

Terre d’Oltrepò Winery: lease to Collis Veneto Wine. To ensure the 2026 harvest, leasing a business unit is being considered: a bridging solution while awaiting feedback from the local community and its shareholders.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Certification and governance: the Triveneto Winemaking Hub is born. A new model uniting inspection bodies, consortia, and institutions in an area that accounts for 30% of Italy’s bottled wine. Coordination, sustainability, and market access are at the core.

White and rosé wines: the challenge of stability. Maurizio Ugliano (University of Verona) analyzes thermal and oxidative stresses and packaging choices that impact quality throughout the shelf life of wine, especially on export markets.

Amarone and sustainability: 53% of vineyards are green. Valpolicella is responding to the red wine crisis by focusing on organic production and environmental certifications, meeting demand from the most sensitive markets.

A century since the birth of Luigi Veronelli. A figure who today would denounce the standardization of production and reaffirm the value of craftsmanship, the land, and small producers.

International

Wine Paris 2026: Romagna takes center stage. The Consorzio Vini di Romagna is participating with ten wineries, bringing the biodiversity and richness of the Romagna region to Paris.

Elton John launches a 0% alcohol-free sparkling wine. “Zero Blanc de Blancs” debuts in the UK as a non-wine alternative to Champagne: the ritual of alcohol-free toasts, pop style, and the evolving alcohol-free market.

Spirits crisis in the US: tequila and whiskey prices slow. Social tensions related to immigration are hitting Hispanic consumption. Large multinationals are accumulating record inventories, a sign of a market under pressure.

Wine events and supply chain

Turin Wine Fair 2026 (February 28 – March 2). Over 600 wineries will be at the OGR Turin for the fourth edition of Piedmont’s great “open cellar,” with a national focus and a comprehensive program called “Waiting for the Fair.”

Amarone Opera Prima 2026. The 2021 vintage debuts amidst UNESCO Italian cuisine, sport, and the Olympics: wine, culture, and lifestyle as ambassadors of the country.

Vulture and Conegliano-Valdobbiadene: Italian Cities of Wine 2026–2027. Passing of the flag at Palazzo Giustiniani: two iconic areas for a shared wine tourism and cultural development project.

Milan-Cortina 2026: Umbria at Casa Italia. Cantina Todini’s Rubro IGT has been selected among the 26 Made in Italy ambassador wines for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Policies, promotion and communication

Institutional wine campaign: “We cultivate what unites us.” From February 15th to March 15th, TV, radio, and print ads will reaffirm the cultural and social value of wine and promote informed consumption.

UIV and Masaf: promotion, CAP, and new markets. The supply chain committee relaunches the CMO Wine, investments, and international promotion. Lamberto Frescobaldi emphasizes the change in communication strategy and the importance of post-2027 funding.

Wine is once again taking the public stage. A shared strategy to counter simplification and demonization, strengthening the reputation, oversight, and positioning of Italian wine on global markets.

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

Wine press review for Monday February 2 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Amarone Opera Prima 2021: Assessments, Tastings, and Strategic Vision The 22nd edition of Amarone Opera Prima in Verona concluded with solid results (67 wineries, 400 operators, 1,500 enthusiasts) and a clear picture of the 2021 vintage: balanced, elegant, and promising, despite a challenging climate. The event intertwined wine, Italian Cuisine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, reinforcing Amarone’s role as a cultural and economic icon of Made in Italy. Ample space was also given to blind tastings and a technical analysis of the vintage.

Montecucco DOC: signs of bucking the trend. The appellation closed 2025 with an 11.1% bottling rate (approximately 800,000 bottles), despite the decline in production during the last harvest. This figure reflects the wineries’ confidence and ability to dominate the market, bucking the overall Tuscan trend.

Cantina Vignaioli Morellino di Scansano: Large-scale retail trade growing. Positive 2024–25 results: 7.3% share in large-scale retail trade and total revenue of €15.7 million. Maintaining market share and the success of the bag-in-box product are key. Exports remain stable in a challenging international environment.

Sémida di Perda Rubia: the pure Semidano of Ogliastra. The promotion of historic Sardinian grape varieties continues with Sémida, a pure Semidano white. An identity project that combines varietal recovery, granite soils, and a contemporary interpretation of the terroir.

LEFFREY: Stefano Minetti’s Aosta Valley project . A tale of micro-territories between Adret and Envers della Dora Baltea. Vineyards managed at high altitude, with extreme exposures and an artisanal approach, yielding crisp, fresh, and profoundly territorial wines.

Wine Notes: Flora Mondello and Gaglio Vignaioli. The story of a Sicilian family since 1910, encompassing agricultural heritage, investments, and a female vision. An example of generational continuity that looks to the future without losing its identity.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Organic wine: production growth, market weakness. Organic products represent over 20% of Italian agricultural production and 21% of viticulture. However, the issue of shelf recognition remains: higher costs, production risks, and poor recognition in large-scale retail trade are putting pressure on the most virtuous companies.

Wine as a cultural food. From Siena, a reflection that intertwines history, science, and health. Wine is distinct from alcohol in the strict sense: an agricultural product, traceable, associated with conviviality, and to be consumed with awareness and moderation.

Wine stocks at an all-time high. 2025 closes with 59.5 million hectoliters in stock (4.4%). Producers are calling for more effective tools for promotion on foreign markets, while the issue of supply management is once again a central theme.

Viticulture and Biodiversity: The Wine of the Future Research into resistant grape varieties, reduction of pesticide use, and response to consumer demands: sustainability comes from varietal innovation and a new balance between the environment, quality, and the market.

Training: ONAV and the “humanism of the senses” A new approach to tasting: the centrality of human experience, an advanced sensorial method, and nationwide training.

Interview with Sergio Germano: Consumption and Territories From Grandi Langhe, a clear-eyed analysis of the current situation: no shortcuts, just small adjustments, territorial openness, and the ability to reach a wider audience without distorting our identity.

Politics and the sector: the Terre d’Oltrepò case. Parliamentary question on the cooperative’s management by a commissioner. The focus is on transparency of procedures, evaluation of expressions of interest, and protection of territoriality.

INTERNATIONAL

Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs 0%: Elton John’s alcohol-free sparkling wine makes its UK debut. This product aims to replicate the rituals and style of wine, appealing to the non-alcohol audience with a pop and inclusive style.

Moldova at BIT Milan 2026 The Republic of Moldova presents itself as an emerging wine tourism destination, with wines, typical products and tourism operators on display in Milan.

WINE EVENTS

Vinitaly 2026: NoLo, spirits, and wine tourism. A new area dedicated to zero- and low-alcohol wines, a spirits pavilion, and a focus on experience. A direct response to Wine Paris and ProWein, it captures the evolution of the market.

Turin Wine Fair From February 28th to March 2nd, over 500 wineries and 50 events at the OGR and in the city. A cultural format showcasing wine as an expression of community and territory, with a strong international buyer presence.

Wine&Siena: a confirmed success. Great participation in masterclasses and tastings, particularly on Pievi del Nobile. Growing attention is focused on low-/no-alcohol wines and new consumer segments.

Derthona on Tour – Milan Timorasso arrives in the Lombardy capital with 20 wineries. A grape variety that symbolizes the rebirth of the region and the longevity of Italian white wines.

diVino Roma 2026 On February 7th and 8th, over 100 wineries and 300 labels will be at Villa Piccolomini. Tastings, masterclasses, and direct discussions with producers.

OST – Temporary Starred Restaurant (Casentino) Five four-handed dinners between February and June: Michelin-starred chefs and local tradition to showcase the region through a gastronomic experience.

Verona: Olympics, wine, and culture. In preparation for Milan Cortina 2026, the city showcases itself as a crossroads of sport, history, and food and wine, with a view that extends all the way to Valpolicella.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and local delicacies. An official visit and symbolic tasting of anchovies, truffles, and local wines: taste diplomacy in action.

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

See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Sunday February 1 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Amarone Opera Prima: the 2021 vintage and the future of Valpolicella. Amarone Opera Prima opens with the 2021 vintage at the center of tastings and discussions. The Valpolicella Consortium reiterates the need to maintain a presence in Asia, Northern Europe, the USA, and Canada, closely monitoring the EU-Mercosur and EU-India agreements. Producers have supported this strategy by increasing their consortium fees by 15%, a sign of a shared vision.

Monte Rossa and Pievalta: a memorable start to 2026. Monte Rossa’s Cabochon Fuoriserie N°025 Brut has been named one of Decanter’s Top 10 Wines of the Year 2025 – Italy, the only Franciacorta wine selected. This recognition strengthens the position of Brescia’s sparkling wines in premium markets.

Siddùra closes out a record-breaking 2025. The Sardinian winery consolidates its awards and financial results. Its first sparkling wine makes a successful debut, while 2026 will focus on new products, technology, and innovation to address evolving consumer trends.

A great Lagrein in just a few bottles from Alto Adige. From Gries, in the agricultural heart of Bolzano, a historic winery presents a Lagrein of the highest expression, a synthesis of urbanity and border viticulture.

Zuliani (Rauscedo): The great DOC Prosecco represents a structural turning point. Affordable pricing, freshness, and low alcohol content remain the keys to success. Prosecco remains the economic pillar of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Declining consumption and high inventories: why uprooting isn’t enough. The 2026 EU Wine Package reopens the debate on 100%-funded uprooting. UIV and FIVI warn: fewer linear cuts, more supply management, quality, and an industrial vision.

The Glera of the future is born. Seven new resistant varieties derived from Glera have been presented, the result of research by VCR and CREA Conegliano. This represents a key step for the “Prosecco world” amid climate change and sustainable production.

Freisa: the second youth of a Piedmontese red. A historic, aromatic, and distinctive grape variety, it returns to prominence with modern interpretations that dialogue with contemporary tastes.

Dolegna del Collio, a land of thresholds. A profound tale of borders, ponca, and vineyard landscapes, where viticulture becomes a cultural as well as agricultural infrastructure.

Wine Defects: Recognizing Them in the Glass A practical guide to the main sensory alterations, combining chemistry and microbiology, useful for professionals and enthusiasts.

Wine as a cultural food. From Confagricoltura Siena, a discussion on history, health, and awareness: wine as a traceable, convivial product tied to the territory.

International

USA: Difficulties yes, but no collapse for Italian wine. Consumption is declining for the fifth consecutive year, but Italy is holding up better than its competitors. The testimonies of top American players call for realism and continued presence.

UIV: Italy better than average in the US market. In 2025, sales of Italian wine will also decline, but with smaller drops than those of US products.

Champagne Bertemès, a journey to the Montagne de Reims. Tasting in Pescara with D’Alesio. Distribution: Artisanal Champagne, long refinements and territorial identity.

Wine events, culture and territories

Wine Paris 2026: Wine looks ahead under the Parisian sky. From February 9th to 11th, Wine Paris 2026 confirms Paris as the global wine hub. Italy is the second largest exhibitor, with a strong presence of European, American, and Asian buyers.

Milano-Cortina 2026: Italian wine ambassador From Cantina Todini’s Rubro to Tenuta Masselina’s dry Albana, the labels selected for Milano Cortina 2026 showcase biodiversity and regional identity at Casa Italia – MUSA.

Art and Wine in Barletta: Places of Beauty 2026. An artistic presentation and tasting in the Ex Cantina Sperimentale Library, exploring culture, territory, and collective memory.

“Nectar of the Gods”: wine becomes a global story. The Apple TV series, spanning France and Japan, brings wine back to the center of pop storytelling, as a cultural and symbolic object.

Less snobbery, more clarity: the producers’ recipe From Grandi Langhe a clear message: simplify the language, enhance the Mediterranean cultural dimension and navigate the markets with pragmatism.

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

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