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Wine press review for Tuesday February 24 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Irpinia, saving the “starseta”: the ancient vineyard as a living heritage. In Irpinia, a group of winemakers is mobilizing to preserve the starseta vineyard , a historic training system that characterizes the landscape of the Taurasi area. Tall, intertwined vines, often planted with fruit trees, tell the story of a complex peasant viticulture, now threatened by abandonment but central to the area’s identity.

Marchesi Frescobaldi presents the new CastelGiocondo vintages. Marchesi Frescobaldi presents the Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo 2021 and the Riserva Vigneto Ripe al Convento 2020: two interpretations that express the variety of Montalcino’s soils and microclimates, with freshness, depth, and ripe tannins.

Cantine Di Marzo, the origins of Greco di Tufo. The history and identity of one of the most iconic families of Greco di Tufo, linked since the 19th century to the exploitation of tuff mines and the definition of one of Southern Italy’s most distinctive white wines.

Orsogna Winery and the International Biodiversity Project The Orsogna Bio Cantina Sociale launches the “Biodiversity in and for the Vineyard” project with the Universities of Eastern Piedmont and Milan: replicable scientific guidelines to demonstrate that production quality and ecosystem protection are allies, not alternatives.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Piedmont, the Consortia raise the alarm: “Structural and market crisis.” At the Agriculture Commission in Turin, the Consortia spoke of a widespread crisis affecting iconic denominations such as Barolo and Barbaresco, comparable in severity to the 2008 and 2020 phases.

Valpolicella Ripasso DOP: recall due to incomplete labeling. Some batches of Valpolicella Ripasso DOP Superiore Corte della Pieve, bottled by Enoitalia, have been recalled due to the lack of the “contains sulfites” label. The warning was issued by the IN’s Mercato chain.

How to Buy Wine at the Supermarket Without Mistakes: From paying attention to the vintage to storage conditions: expert advice for avoiding disappointing purchases, including real deals and bottles penalized by light and heat.

Viticulture: Downy Mildew, Protection from A to Z Technical focus on the management of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), from bud break to pre-harvest, with integrated defense strategies and targeted anti-downy mildew programs.

International and sector policies

EU, new wine reform: more climate resilience and less bureaucracy. The Council of the European Union approves the new regulation reshaping the wine sector: balancing supply and demand, administrative simplification, new rules on labeling, exports, and wine tourism.

Green light for the Wine Package from the Agrifish Council. Production control measures approved, greater coverage against climate risks and new definitions for dealcohol-free and reduced-alcohol wines, with EU contributions of up to 80% for environmental investments.

Tariffs and trade tensions: Italian companies on alert. After the G7 trade summit, Minister Antonio Tajani urges companies to maintain investments in the United States, amid growing demand for stability and the protection of international agreements.

Italian oil: exports grow, but production and margins suffer According to the Mediobanca Research Area, Italy is losing its global production share (6.3%) despite strong export growth (40.7%), squeezed between price volatility and structural deficiencies.

Italian organic market hits record highs in 2025. The organic market will reach €6.9 billion (6.2%), driven by large-scale retail and out-of-home dining. Data presented in Bologna at Sana Food and the Slow Wine Fair.

Wine events and wine culture

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Italian City of Wine 2026/2027 190 events are underway across Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, Pieve di Soligo and other municipalities in the province of Treviso, coordinated by the National Association of Wine Cities.

Luca Maroni’s Best Italian Wines: 25 Years of Tastings In Rome, the historic event celebrates a quarter century with tastings, workshops, and a focus on new trends, from dealcoholized wines to the sparkling wine method.

Slow Wine Fair: “Wine is only good if it’s right.” Slow Food focuses on agricultural work and the ethical supply chain, revitalizing the link between wine quality and respect for people.

Vermouth Show: over 10,000 attendees in Turin. The third edition exceeds expectations and consolidates vermouth as a protagonist of renewed international cultural and commercial interest.

VinNatur Tasting 2026 in Gambellara From April 11 to 13, 180 winemakers from six countries will be present. The Association des Vins Libres d’Alsace will also be present. This edition celebrates Luigi Veronelli’s centenary.

Wine Spectator awards the Gold Medal to the Casa Italia selection, which it calls a celebration of Italy’s winemaking biodiversity.

Lazio wines take center stage at Slow Wine. Twenty-eight regional wineries showcased in Bologna, with the support of the Lazio Region and ARSIAL, to strengthen the region’s quality positioning.

Tastings at Villa Selvatico (Euganean Hills) Sunday, March 1, 2026, tastings of local products and crafts in a historical-naturalistic setting, including picnics, aperitifs, and the culture of taste.

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

Wine press review for Monday February 23 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian Wineries (histories, territories, projects)

Cantine Di Marzo (Tufo): the origins of Greco di Tufo Historical-territorial story: from the tuff mines to the vocation of Greco in Irpinia, with key passages on DOC (1970), DOCG (1993) and local production identity.

Masseria Campito (Gricignano d’Aversa): focus on Asprinio A coherent and courageous “single-varietal” project: 6 hectares, a farmhouse transformed into a winery (since 2013) and the promotion of Asprinio as a territorial signature.

Ca’ da Roman (Romano d’Ezzelino): the future is PIWI. A strategic bet on resistant grape varieties (PIWI) as a frontier of sustainable viticulture, with the ambition of becoming a European hub dedicated exclusively to these varieties.

Bio Cantina Sociale Orsogna: Biodiversity as a competitive lever Scientific project “Biodiversity in and for the vineyard” with Universities (Eastern Piedmont and Milan): demonstrating that quality, sustainability, and biodiversity can be synergistic (1,500 hectares, 300 members, oases, and fishponds).

Al Bano: the Apulian estate between hospitality, farm and winery Portrait of a property where the agricultural part and wine production (e.g. “Don Carmelo”) are integrated with hospitality/experience elements (spa, small church, woods, horses).

2) Italian wine and Italian oenology (market, styles, techniques, data)

Valoritalia: 2025: A mixed bag for certificates

  • Total certified bottlings: -2.1% vs 2024
  • DOC/DOCG 1% (quality/export locomotive)
  • IGT -12% , reds -13% , exports -3% Reading: sector stabilization, with polarization towards “strong” denominations.

Gen Z USA: Sweet wine as a bridge to dry wines. Insight by Deborah Parker Wong: To attract twenty-somethings, sweet/fruit-forward wines (Amarone, Recioto, Moscato, Vin Santo, but also Prosecco and Lambrusco) can open the door. The goal: a gradual conversion to drier styles.

Alto Adige: Micro-regions and “light” reds under €20 (Schiava & Co.) Focus on sub-zones and company/cooperative specializations; Schiava takes center stage between Santa Maddalena and Lake Caldaro, with more agile and refined styles (and Lagrein as another regional highlight).

“Organic is no longer enough”: the shift toward sustainable viticulture. From “labeled” organic to a more integrated model: protection, soil, machinery, costs, and quality stability in a more unstable climate. Theme: sustainability as a balance between quality, profitability, and impact.

In Brianza, a winemaker “leaves the wine” and brings the method to the fruit. Marco Colzani applies winemaking logic (maturation, acidity, oxidation, tannins) to the production of juices and nectars: an interesting sign of technical contamination and advanced craftsmanship.

Funding: €5.5 million for photovoltaic vineyard renovation/conversion. Regional approval for 2026/2027 with streamlined procedures; in parallel, a 2026 call for proposals for photovoltaic systems on agricultural holdings (dual lever: competitiveness of vineyards and energy transition).

3) International (USA, duties, exports, scenarios)

A year of US tariffs: higher costs, struggling exports, and “hostility.” Summary (Eric Asimov, NYT): The tariffs, designed to “protect” American industry, have primarily created uncertainty and friction; the case of Canada (up to 35%) and reductions in purchases are cited.

New York: The Italian wine merchant who stopped tariffs. Victor Schwartz (VOS Selections)’s story: impact on margins and inventories (-25%), decision to sue, and his role as plaintiff in an appeal supported by the Liberty Justice Center. A case that symbolizes how trade policy affects artisanal imports.

Alta Langa DOCG flies to New York (March 10, 2026) The Consortium’s first official event in the USA, at Eataly Downtown: a B2B meeting with 27 producers, tasting tables, and seminars on the history/territory/distinctiveness of the Piedmontese Classic Method.

4) Wine events (fairs, tastings, awards, calendar)

Slow Wine Fair (Bologna, until February 24): good, clean, and “fair” wine. The Slow Wine Fair Sana Food axis is growing: wine presented as an economic, cultural, and social phenomenon. The 2026 focus is on “fair wine”: decent work, rural communities, and equity.

“Wine is only good if it’s right”: an appeal and an ethical agenda. A strong message also linked to the issue of gangmastering and working conditions in the vineyard; space for virtuous examples and an approach that places ethics and sustainability at the centre of value.

Gender issues in wine: “Wine, a feminine noun” From the Slow Wine Fair: stories and numbers on inequalities and economic/wage conditions, with the aim of making women’s contributions to the supply chain visible.

The events of February 23rd at the Slow Wine Fair “Carta Vini Terroir e Spirito Slow” Award (spin-off Milano Wine Week Awards) with 14 categories: a bridge between catering/retail and the culture of fine drinking.

Rome: Cantine del Notaio among the best wines in Italy (Luca Maroni) At the 25th edition of “The Best Italian Wines”: Aglianico DOC La Firma 2020 awarded as the second best red wine out of approximately 8,500 wines evaluated.

Cagliari (February 24): signature tasting Montalcino vs Valpolicella FIS Sardinia evening with Angelini Wines & Estates: comparison Val di Suga (Brunello) and Bertani (Valpolicella/Amarone), with a “surprise” closing.

Caserta (February 26): “I Nuo(VINI)ssimi” – wine & pizza Dinner event at Pizzeria 485°: 5 new Campania wines presented with producers, paired with a fried pizza tour.

Genoa (March 8–9): “I Vini del Cuore 2026” at the Palazzo della Borsa Social Guide, tastings and wine stories in the historic location, access via card that can be purchased online.

Porto Cervo Wine & Food Festival (7–10 May 2026) Boutique event on the Costa Smeralda: first two days B2B, weekend open to the public; an event attracting a high density of buyers, operators, and the press.

Sponsor of the day: WINEIDEA.IT Talk to you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Sunday February 22 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Amarone della Valpolicella: not a mistake, but a project. A historical document and the shared vision of the consortium and major producers clarify that Amarone was not born from an accident (Recioto disappeared), but from a deliberate decision by enlightened figures. A powerful message: identity, style, and value are not coincidental, but built over time. The focus now turns to the future of the appellation.

Sofia Ricasoli and the “Innesto” project : From criminal law to the vineyard: Sofia Ricasoli returns to Chianti Classico with a personal line, separate from the family brand. The new wine breaks with the traditional concept of vintage, a sign of a generation experimenting without denying history.

Filippo Antonelli: organic, yes, but only where it makes sense. The Montefalco producer reiterates his organic approach as an agronomic and territorial project, not an ideological one. The critical point: in the past, too much was planted, even in unsuitable areas. Quality is a balance between environment, soil, and wine.

Masseria Campito, Gricignano d’Aversa. A winery focused on Asprinio as a defining and unconventional choice. Six hectares of vineyards, a historic farmhouse converted into a winery, and a clear vision: a small number of wines, a clearly identifiable terroir, and consistent production.

Cantina Kaltern and the kunst.stück 2026 competition : Art and winemaking come together: for the 2026 edition, an artist will design the label for a Cabernet-Merlot Riserva cuvée. The label becomes an integral part of the wine’s cultural value.

Caviro turns 60. Italy’s largest winemaking group celebrates with industry-leading figures: 1.5 million hectoliters bottled annually. A cooperative giant that faces the crisis by leveraging its expertise, scale, and supply chain.

Podere Casanova – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano From an auction in Siena to a structured agricultural project: rapid growth of the acreage, a wide range, and a focus on pure Sangiovese for the Nobile “Settecento”.

Lunae Bosoni – Lunae Brut Cuvée Sparkling Wine. Liguria’s white wines continue to grow in reputation. Lunae invests in its winery, promotes historic grape varieties, and taps into the renewed interest in sparkling wines and fresh wines.

Al Bano and the Cellino San Marco estate. A true agricultural and tourist village in Puglia: a farmhouse, winery, spa, church, and forest. Wine is part of a project of identity and hospitality.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Tuscan Previews: Reds under pressure. Exports of Tuscan still PDO wines are declining (-8% in value in 2025). The anti-crisis strategies: targeted promotion, reduced yields, and opening up to new markets. The message is clear: the model needs to be updated.

Chianti Classico: Moderate optimism. Sales up slightly (1% volume, 2.6% value). Quality is well established, but strong marketing and communications are now needed to cope with more complex markets and changing consumption patterns.

Piedmont: alarm over stocks and grape prices. Cellars are full, trade is down, and grape prices are down as much as 30%. A crisis described as “structural,” comparable in severity to Covid and 2008. The central theme: rebalancing production.

Valoritalia 2025 Data: DOC and DOCG wines hold steady (1%), IGT wines plummet (-12%), and red wines struggle (-13%). A year of adjustment that reshapes the quality and commercial pyramid of Italian wine.

Sweet wine as a gateway for Gen Z (USA). Amarone, Moscato, Lambrusco, and Prosecco as a “bridge” to dry wines. An educational and cultural strategy to shape tomorrow’s consumers.

Phytopathology: Scale insects (Planococcus ficus) in vineyards are among the most serious threats: direct damage, sooty mold, and virus transmission. Plant health management is once again crucial to the economic sustainability of farms.

Wine, fashion, and storytelling: The story of wine is increasingly similar to that of fashion. But when the narrative becomes disconnected from the production reality, the risk is a loss of consumer trust.

International

Ashley Graham invests in Lambrusco. “Lucci,” a Lambrusco DOC Reggiano produced by Medici Ermete, is born. An American pop icon that strengthens the international appeal of a distinctive, light, and contemporary wine.

Pinot Noir Musigny: a market for icons. At auctions, historic vintages show substantial resilience. Bottles of Comte de Vogüé have nearly doubled in value in a year: fine wine remains a safe haven.

Vermouth di Torino: Protection and Foreign Markets . The Consortium is not participating in the dedicated trade show, which it considers ambiguous. However, it has a strong brand protection strategy in Europe, the USA, and Asia, with growing interest in moderate consumption.

Wine events and wine culture

Slow Wine Fair 2026 – Bologna Over 1,100 exhibitors from 27 countries. The central theme: social justice in the world of wine. Abruzzo takes center stage with 40–50 wineries and a strong message about sustainability and the region.

Slow Wine Fair Events – February 22nd Tastings and discussions on vineyard work, community, and distinctive grape varieties like Cannonau. Wine as an agricultural and social phenomenon, not just a commercial one.

Pompeii: the secret vineyard is reborn. A joint project between archaeology and viticulture brings vines back to the archaeological site. Wine as a bridge between history, science, and the land.

Wine is culture. A clear message from the government: public-private partnerships (like Pompeii and Feudi di San Gregorio) are strategic levers. Wine is recognized as a cultural expression, not just an economic one.

Turin Wine Fair 2026: Focus on Piedmont, its regions, and its producers. The fair and the city are increasingly integrated, encompassing tastings, culture, and food and wine tourism.

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

Wine press review for Saturday February 21 -2026

with:

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Piedmont: The Barolo “bubble” bursts . Record inventories, declining demand, and sharply declining grape prices. Barolo and Barbaresco are leading a structural crisis that also affects Barbera and Moscato. Consortia are calling for urgent action: without support for winemakers, even premium wines are at risk.

Montefiascone, the relaunch of the Cantina dell’EST! EST!! EST!!! is underway. Major modernization and regulatory compliance work will restore dignity to a landmark structure in the area after years of neglect.

Lerma, mountain winery up for sale after bankruptcy. A public project worth approximately €1 million, created to enhance local viticulture, concludes with the sale of the property following its 2019 bankruptcy.

Pasqua Vini ‘s “Fuori Carta” is born . The project linked to the Passito di Pantelleria “Sangue d’Oro” was presented in Paris, with Carole Bouquet as partner of the initiative: a cultural and gastronomic reinterpretation of a great Italian sweet wine.

Ronco della Chiesa, a symbolic Collio vineyard at risk. The renowned Borgo del Tiglio cru is threatened by safety measures following the Brazzano landslide. This issue intertwines land protection, viticultural heritage, and environmental safety.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Made in Italy exports: historic record in 2025. According to Istat, exports will reach €643 billion (3.3%). “Beautiful and well-made” Italian products are also holding up in non-EU markets, overcoming—for now—the impact of US tariffs.

US tariffs: Supreme Court blocks, but uncertainty remains. For Unione Italiana Vini and its president, Lamberto Frescobaldi, the sector cannot celebrate: possible reintroduction of tariffs and unstable climate in EU-US relations. Montalbera and Bottega hold similar positions.

NoLow vs. wine: the comparison is not ideological. The EU regulatory framework officially opens up to dealcoholized and partially dealcoholized wines. This is a legitimate category, but it cannot be compared to traditional wine: the issue is one of culture, positioning, and market.

The best whites of the Western Riviera Gambero Rosso shines a spotlight on Vermentino and Pigato between Imperia and Savona, confirming the strong identity of Ligurian whites.

International

Italian wine must “team up” like sport. A clear message from the talk on the “Olympic spirit”: diversify markets beyond the US and Europe, working in synergy between companies, institutions, and large platforms like Vinitaly and ICE.

Wine Paris 2026: Six key trends from the heart of the global market. The Parisian fair confirms its central role: lightness, reinterpretations of classics, new consumption styles. Record numbers of visitors, exhibitors, and business meetings.

“Wine Experience” Road Show: London, then Vietnam and Mexico. A new international platform for Italian wine, debuting in London in April and focusing on high-potential emerging markets.

Montalcino relaunches its presence in the United States. The Brunello Consortium returns to investing in the USA with Benvenuto Brunello in New York and a masterclass in Texas, confirming the strategic importance of the American market.

Wine events

Measurable Sustainability: LIFE VitiCaSe Conference in Siena (February 27) Regenerative viticulture, carbon farming, and carbon credits will be the focus of the meeting promoted by the Siena Farmers’ Union.

Introduction to wine in Villanova Mondovì. Four lessons with guided tastings to learn the method, language, and awareness of the wine glass.

Sannio Top Wines 2026 in Benevento (February 25) The labels awarded by international guides and competitions will be on display: Falanghina and Aglianico remain the beacons of a growing territory.

The Great Vertical Tastings of the Cities of Wine – a stop in Palazzolo dello Stella. Unusual pairings and native wines take center stage at Tenuta Aganis, a celebration of local culture.

Slow Wine Fair 2026 in Bologna (22–24 February) Large regional presence: Piedmont, Abruzzo and Umbria bring the theme of “good, clean and fair” wine to the fair, including sustainability, social justice and the supply chain.

Vinifera becomes FuoriVinifera in Mezzocorona (21–22 March) An event spread across the Piana Rotaliana to tell the wines of the Alpine arc in a more intimate way and consistent with the artisanal spirit of the event.

Agri-aperitif in the Euganean Hills at Cà Vendalis. Conviviality, house wine, and simple products: a return to slowness as an experiential value.

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

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