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Wine press review for Tuesday February 10 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Tramin’s Epokale 2017: a wine that defies time. A Gewürztraminer that breaks the rules of ready-to-drink: late harvest, respectful vinification, and a unique six-year aging in the mountains at 2,000 meters. A tale of altitude, patience, and territorial identity that confirms the evolutionary capacity of Alto Adige’s great white wines.

The Valle d’Aosta cooperative creates a Pinot Noir for under €20. A wine awarded for the best regional quality-price ratio in the 2026 Gambero Rosso BereBene guide. Concrete proof that even “minor” regions can produce compelling, accessible Pinot Noir wines that are in keeping with the Alpine context.

Cantina Marilina: Lost Grape Varieties and “Naturally” Low-Alcohol Wines. In Noto, Angelo Paternò is pursuing radical work on native Sicilian varieties, non-invasive techniques, and experimentation. The rediscovery of Moscato di Noto and Catarratto Mantellato has now led to the creation of two low-alcohol wines, capturing a rapidly growing trend.

Nicodemo Librandi is remembered with a prize dedicated to him. Established by the SudHeritage association, the “Nicodemo Librandi” Prize will support the best doctoral thesis on corporate museums and archives. This award ties together business, productive memory, and the cultural responsibility of local communities.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Riccardo Cotarella: “Enough defending ourselves, wine must make its voice heard again.” In his public address, the president of Assoenologi (Italian Association of Enology) calls on the industry to make a change of pace: clearly distinguish between moderate consumption and alcohol abuse, defend the culture of wine, and regain a leading role in public debate. The message accompanies the launch of the institutional campaign “Wine is our time – Let’s cultivate what unites us.”

Basilicata: the future of wine starts with DNA. The Basilicata Region and ALSIA have authorized four new native grape varieties (Ghiandara, Zimellone Bianco, Damaschino, Montonico). This scientific genetic recovery project strengthens the biodiversity, identity, and quality prospects of Lucanian wine.

International

Agriculture: France heads for a deficit, Italy and Spain advance. According to a French Senate report, the French agricultural surplus has fallen 49% in five years. 2025 could mark the first deficit since 1978, while Italy and Spain are recording strong trade growth. This rebalancing will also impact European wine.

Wine events

Wine Paris 2026: Italy Takes Center Stage From February 9 to 11, Wine Paris confirms its position as a global hub for wine and spirits: over 6,000 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors from 155 countries. Italy is the second most represented country, with approximately 1,350 companies and 12,000 m² of exhibition space (25% more than in 2025), 130 of which are in the ICE collective.

Wine Paris kicks off: Italian exhibits quadrupled in six editions. A clear signal of the Italian wine industry’s strategic positioning on international markets. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and institutional leaders inaugurated the Italian Pavilion.

Grandi Langhe 2026: Record Number of Producers and Quality. Over 515 producers and thousands of labels at the OGR in Turin for an event that strengthens the regional narrative of Piedmont wine. Among the many tastings, one Barolo made its mark, confirming the appellation’s increasingly high average quality.

Vinitaly 2026: Xcellent Spirits is born. The 58th edition of Vinitaly sees the debut of a new pavilion dedicated to spirits and contemporary drinks. Over 1,000 m² showcases spirits, RTDs, soft drinks, and mixology, capturing the evolution of consumption.

Insuperlabel 2026: Design and Vermouth di Torino Auroflex launches the fifth edition of its label design contest, in partnership with the Consorzio del Vermouth di Torino PGI. A bridge between graphic creativity, product identity, and the culture of the Italian aperitivo.

Cantine d’Italia 2026 with Go Wine in Turin Evening tastings with over 100 wineries, discounted tickets, and the option to join the association until December 31, 2026. A format designed for an evolved and informed audience.

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

See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Monday February 9 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

  • Top 100 Italian Reds 2026 : Gentleman ‘s definitive ranking crosses the five main guides. At the top are Gaja , Tenuta San Guido , Bruno Giacosa , and Marchesi Antinori .
  • Change at the top of the Cantina di Nizza : Andrea Ghignone elected president, launching a strategic phase of cooperative relaunch.
  • Oltrepò Pavese, 200 years of history : Feudo Nico di Mornico Losana celebrates two centuries with Pinot Noir, Classic Method and an integrated business model (wine, catering, short supply chain).
  • Alto Adige, signature Lagrein : the Rottensteiner Estate in Gries presents a great limited-edition Lagrein, an urban-rural expression of Bolzano.
  • Langhe, 40 years of Darmagi : Angelo Gaja’s “Bordeaux” from Langa turns forty, a symbol of vision and breaking the mold.
  • Made in Italy : Castello di Meleto enters the MIMIT Register of Historic Brands of National Interest.
  • New business stories : San Martin is born between Canavese and Vercellese, an Italian-Argentine union between Mendoza and Piedmont.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

  • Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG takes center stage at Casa Veneto during the Olympics: territory, winemakers, and quality are at the heart of the story.
  • Viticulture and innovation : technical meetings on agricultural mechanics, genetics, alien insects, and AI applications (drones and regulations) return to San Pietro di Feletto.
  • Territory and Value : At “Grandi Langhe and the Piedmont of Wine,” reflections on the role of the Crus for Barolo and Barbaresco with the region’s key players.
  • Rules and maintenance : farmers are given an ultimatum regarding cleaning ditches for flood prevention and road safety.
  • Wine Culture : “Wine has brought us together for 10,000 years,” between history, sociality, and pleasure (conference “The Taste of Feeling Good”).
  • Inventories and the market : full cellars, exports as a relief valve; talk of reduced production is returning.

International

  • Champagne, the luxury paradox : declining shipments but high revenues; the risk of losing the heart of the terroir, according to Gianni Moriani.
  • Michelin Guide and wine : after restaurants and hotels, the historic guide extends its expertise to the promotion of wine and service professionals.

Wine events

  • Wine Paris 2026 : Over 1,100 Italian wineries at Porte de Versailles; Italy is the second largest exhibiting country.
    • Consortia and collectives : the Consorzio Vini di Romagna with 10 wineries; the IMT Marche with 15 wineries and 16 DOPs; Sicily with 41 wineries coordinated by IRVO.
    • Advanced format : Wine Paris, Be Spirits and Be No together to cover wine, spirits and no/low alcohol.
  • New formats : Fiera Milano and Excellence SIDI launch Wine Prime (debut January 2027).
  • Terre di Toscana : 18th edition in March with 140 winemakers at the UNA Esperienze Versilia Lido Hotel.
  • FuoriVinifera : Vinifera becomes widespread (21–22 March) in the Piana Rotaliana Königsberg.
  • Wine tourism : Valentine’s Day 2026 with the Umbria Wine Tourism Movement.

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

Wine press review for Sunday February 8 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Ornellaia 2023: Art Interprets the Terroir Marina Abramović signs the 2023 vintage of Ornellaia for the 18th edition of Vendemmia d’Artista . “La Vitality” becomes the story of a virtuous balance between nature and human intervention, debuting on the Italian market on April 1st.

Pio Cesare, the last winery in the heart of Alba. A physical and symbolic bridge between history and future: the Alba winery combines historic spaces and modern technology, remaining the only production facility still operating in the city center.

Terre d’Aenòr and Tenuta Martinelli Two young Franciacorta wineries (both founded in 2018) that represent a new generation focused on personal style, quality, and recognizability rather than instant success.

Davide Campagnano Winery (Castel Campagnano) A “third generation” story and a return to the land: organic viticulture, a non-invasive approach, and Caiazzo sandstone soils as a territorial signature.

Moncaro at auction: estimated value €2.3 million. The Marche-based cooperative Terre Cortesi Moncaro is headed for judicial auction: the focus will be on the value of the company’s branches and the decisions of the new Board of Directors, which have impacted contracts and the membership.

Lombardy Region: €3.7 million for wineries and hospitality. 2025/26 CMO Wine grants to 139 Lombardy companies for modernization, direct sales, and wine tourism, ahead of Wine Paris and Vinitaly.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Out-of-home consumption: €2.2 billion. The alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage market is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Still-carbonated soft drinks, cocktails, and spirits are growing. This trend is increasingly intertwined with the world of wine and mixology.

Veneto, a winemaking crossroads. A cultural journey through iconic reds and sparkling wines: wine as an everyday language, capable of integrating tradition, cuisine, and lifestyle.

Young winemakers: less technique, more storytelling. Between the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato, a generation is emerging that speaks about wine starting from people and values, not just from winemaking.

Natural Wine: The Revolutionary Drive Is Over Roberto Frega’s book Post-Natural Wine proposes a paradigm shift: from the cellar to the vineyard, from an ideological break to an agronomic responsibility reconciled with science.

White challenges red. A cultural and generational analysis of changes in Italian consumption: color, occasion, and form of drinking are transforming along with people.

High inventories, exports as a lifeline. Italian wineries are facing inventories equivalent to nearly two harvests. International agreements are helping, but discussions about reducing production are returning.

International

Rooted vines blocked: alarm raised by Rauscedo. Morocco has halted the import of vines due to concerns about a bacterium present in Puglia. This has affected a sector that in Friuli represents over 60% of national production.

Hundred Hills (UK): a success with Italian roots Behind one of the best English sparkling wines is Enrico Cassinelli, a winemaker from Oltrepò Pavese, protagonist of the exploration of a new terroir in the Chilterns.

Luxury, wine, and AI. A week packed with global events: financial statements, French exports, the World AI Cannes Festival, and the Italy-Africa Summit. Signs of a world where wine, technology, and geopolitics are increasingly intertwined.

Wine events

Beer & Food Attraction 2026 (Rimini, February 15-17) Europe’s leading event for out-of-home dining, including beverages, foodservice, and new trends.

Vinitaly 2026: Spirits Make Way for Xcellent Spirits is launched, with an entire pavilion dedicated to mixology and spirits. Italian exports in the sector are worth €1.7 billion.

Wine Paris 2026: Franciacorta showcased by 30 wineries. The Parisian fair confirms its position as a key hub for international positioning.

Barolo joins Iter Vitis. The Piedmont region strengthens its European cultural profile by joining the Council of Europe network dedicated to the culture of vines and wine.

Wine tourism: billion-dollar projections. According to SRM-Intesa Sanpaolo, wine tourism could generate an additional €1 billion. Over half of companies will continue investing between 2025 and 2027.

“When Wine Meets Tourism” Report Presents figures and models of Italian wine tourism: from ancillary activity to strategic asset for value, territory, and new demands.

Organic Wine Guide 2026: Le Chiuse’s Brunello Riserva Diecianni 2015 (best red) and numerous other eco-friendly wines were awarded. Barone Pizzini was named best company with the lowest environmental impact.

Michelin Guide: the “Bunch” of Wine is born. A new distinction dedicated to wineries, a natural extension of Michelin’s expertise in catering and hospitality.

Milan-Cortina 2026: Wine at the Winter House Tastings and storytelling for the American press, with seven Italian wineries starring in Olympic hospitality.

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

Wine press review for Saturday February 7 -2026

with:

Winery, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Oltrepò: Losito and Guarini remain in the running.

  • The Losito and Guarini company confirms its interest in acquiring the Terre d’Oltrepò cooperative.
  • After the complaint of “failure to respond”, a formal communication arrives (29 January 2026) from ministerial commissioner Luigi Zingone.
  • Position: “open to any possible formula” → the game is still open, with territorial and socio-economic implications.

Tedeschi (Valpolicella): transition to the new generation

  • Enrico Giacomelli Tedeschi (from January), the first of the seven cousins of the new generation, will take over the role.
  • Key message: family continuity as a structured project (not just symbolic), with legal and managerial skills.

Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde: Organic certification halted, transition to integrated pest management.

  • Producer Nicola Campagnola makes a clear choice: abandoning certified organic production.
  • Hot topic: costs/complexity/perceived effectiveness of certification vs. “integrated” agronomic management.
  • Market insight: be careful about reputational risk and communication (how you tell it matters as much as what you do).

Lungarotti and “Progetto 1962”: Heritage as a Strategic Lever

  • Story of a structured reality (foundation company), with a focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and continuity of vision.
  • Reading: the past not as nostalgia, but as a tool for positioning and industrial coherence.

Santa Maria La Palma Winery (Alghero): A cooperative as a “widespread value”

  • Declared numbers: over 300 members , 800 hectares , approximately €28 million turnover , 8 million bottles .
  • Over €30 million redistributed to members (2021–2025), €8 million in the last year.
  • Model: international growth without relocation, with measurable local economic impact.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Large-scale retail trade: wine closes 2025 in the red (but holds up)

  • Large-scale retail trade sales (Circana): €2.3 billion value ( -0.5% ), 618 million liters ( -3.1% ).
  • Average price: €3.77/L ( 2.6% ).
  • 0.75 bottle: value 0.2% , volume -1.9% ; sparkling: value 3.6% , volume 3.1% .
  • Reading: volumes down, price up → promotional pressure and selective “trade-down” remain the themes.

Freisa: “Second Youth” in Piedmont

  • Focus on the origins, aromatic identity and contemporary rediscovery of the grape variety.
  • Undercurrent: return of natives with “character” when they manage to speak a modern language.

Prosecco “col fondo”: the ancestor that comes back to count

  • Cultural difference: “Easy” Prosecco vs. “straight” Prosecco, more gastronomic, less accommodating.
  • Market insight: identity niches that become credible (not artificial) storytelling.

Amarone: More elegance and drinkability (concrete signs)

  • The Verona preview revealed a stylistic evolution perceived as more realistic and less declarative.
  • Direction: “intelligent” lightening without losing identity.

Calabria on the Rise: Gambero Rosso’s Best Ciròs

  • Cirò as a symbol of a qualitative leap in the region and the consolidation of the native varieties.
  • Note: a new dynamic in events/national attention (festivals and local initiatives) is cited.

Palizzi (IGT): a territorial tale between the Ionian coast and Greek roots

  • Emphasis on cultural identity and soil and climate conditions (clay, sea breeze, altitude).
  • Theme: Micro-territories that work if they become experiences (not just labels).

Wine and the young: fewer slogans, more culture and people

  • Interventions by young winemakers (22–40 years): shifting the focus from technicalities to storytelling, values, and faces.
  • Implication: The question isn’t “do they drink,” but “what really hooks them.”

Institutional wine campaign: Coldiretti

  • Support for supply chain communication against “demonization”, with reference to the economic value of 14.5 billion .

Observatory: “Uncertainty is the new normal”

  • The “Wine Permanent Observer” report was presented in Alba: a complex scenario and declining exports.
  • Message: We need governance of change, not defense of vested interests.

International

Low/no alcohol drinks: yes, but maximum caution is required.

  • A young and growing market; a “Trojan horse” risk for bringing alcohol consumption back to sensitive targets.
  • Alerts and analyses recalled (WHO 2024 and expert summaries in scientific journal).

Dry January loses its grip (USA): fewer mocktails, more spirits

  • From American bars: January busier than expected, driven by corporate events.
  • Demand composition: fewer non-alcoholic drinks, more spirits → a signal to monitor for those investing in no/low alcohol.

UK: New alcohol excise duties (from February 1) and protests

  • Excise duty increase in line with the RPI index (3.66%); wine/beer sector disputes.
  • Topic: balance between revenue/health policy and competitiveness of the sector.

Australia: Wine Exports to Decline in 2025

  • Wine Australia data: -8% value (2.34 billion AUD), -6% volume (613 million litres).
  • Average value per litre decreasing → pressure on positioning and market mix.

Wine events

Wine Paris 2026: Sicily takes center stage with IRVO (41 wineries)

  • Project: “Sicily of Wine. Roots of the Future” (February 9–11, 2026, Paris Expo).
  • Format: beyond the fair, identity storytelling, training events and food and wine pairing (also in a hotel school context).

Wine Paris 2026: Consortium of Romagna Wines with 10 wineries

  • Presence at the fair (Hall 5.2 – Stand B130) and participation in the “Selection by VertdeVin” event (10 February).
  • Objective: label selection and international positioning.

Oltrepò Pavese: Buttafuoco Storico turns 30

  • Anniversary 1996–2026 with calendar of events: tradition, future, stricter DOC rules to protect identity.

“The Great Verticals of the Cities of Wine” (January–April 2026)

  • Format: vertical tastings (young vs. mature wine) and in 2026 a focus on wine and food pairing as a participatory experience.

Winery Event: Bagna Cauda at Francesco Rosso (February 21)

  • An experiential evening in Roero: local food and wine as a driver of direct connection.

Cross-cutting focus of the day (strategic reading)

The common thread is crystal clear: the market isn’t collapsing, but its grammar is changing .

  • Distribution : volumes down, prices up → margins to be protected with mix and identity.
  • Styles and products : drinkability (Amarone), authenticity (with sediment), native wines that “return” (Freisa, Cirò).
  • Policy & reputation : organic between new rules (national brand) and unconventional choices (exiting certification).
  • International : health, excise duties, and “hybrid” consumption make the picture more unstable but legible for those who govern data and positioning.

See you tomorrow.

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