“OLTREPÒ: LAND OF PINOT NERO”: the Italian Blanc de Noirs turns 160.

Sparkling wines, local produce, and visions of the future in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese: the Consorzio Classese Oltrepò Pavese event returns for its fifth edition as a meeting place for producers, the press, and industry professionals, but with some important new features.

On September 21st and 22nd, the Oltrepò Pavese region showcases its talents through “Oltrepò: Terra di Pinot Nero,” now in its fifth edition. This event was conceived by the Classese Oltrepò Pavese Consortium to create a genuine meeting place for producers, the press, industry professionals, and—for the first time—enthusiasts.

The event will be held in a new location, the village of Golferenzo , “one of the most beautiful villages in Italy”, an emblem of an area that has decided to focus entirely on quality and identity.

During the two days, the spotlight will be on the Metodo Classico DOCG, destined to become Classese, a symbol of the new denomination and its vision for the future, and the traditional and prized Pinot Noir DOC vinified as a red wine.

Sunday, September 21st, will be open to everyone. From 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. , enthusiasts will be able to access the tasting tables, meet producers, and taste wines from 30 local wineries. Tickets can be purchased online for €35 (€25 for AIS, FISAR, ONAV members, and students).

Blanc de noirs is indeed the star of the event. In February, the Consortium assembly approved a decisive step almost unanimously: the new DOCG regulations , which introduce the name Classese and a series of rules aimed at enhancing quality. This historic moment comes precisely in the year that marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of the Metodo Classico in Oltrepò , with the first bottles of sparkling wine produced in Rocca de’ Giorgi in 1865.

It’s not just a name change, but a vision: to make Oltrepò Pavese the world’s first appellation based on the Metodo Classico from Pinot Noir grapes vinified as a white wine . An ambitious, forward-looking venture rooted in a long history, yet ready to be rewritten.

The analysis involved 1,150 stores and approximately 1.6 million prices, covering 125 categories of food, home and personal care, and pet products, in 67 Italian cities.

Altroconsumo presents the results of its 36th annual survey of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and discount stores.

In times when the grocery cart is outpacing inflation and can consume up to 19% of the household budget , carefully choosing where and what to buy can make a big difference. The study shows that choosing the most convenient supermarket can save a family of four up to €3,700 a year , with significant benefits for couples and singles as well. However, the benefits vary depending on the type of shopping and the city.

The main results of the survey:

• Eurospin is the chain that guarantees the greatest savings, with costs reduced by nearly 40% compared to the national average. For a family of four, this translates into the possibility of saving up to €3,700 annually by choosing the most economical products available.

• Famila emerges as the ideal choice for a mixed shopping experience, between branded products and budget items

• In’s Mercato is the most convenient discount store for a mixed basket.

• Carrefour guarantees the greatest savings on its own-brand products.

According to Altroconsumo analyst Matteo Marano, to truly save on your groceries, it’s essential to carefully consider your options, starting with rankings, combining your shopping between discount stores and supermarkets, comparing prices per kilo or per liter, and carefully evaluating private label products and promotions. Finally, don’t rule out private label or entry-level products: as Altroconsumo tests show, they often offer quality comparable to brand-name products, but at a lower cost.

Ars Sine Finibus, the cross-border artistic project part of GO! 2025 European Capital of Culture, will feature the Collio and Brda regions, contemporary art, and viticulture in a shared journey of sustainability and dialogue.

A CROSS-BORDER PROJECT BETWEEN ITALY AND SLOVENIA FOR THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE GO! 2025.

In 2025, Gorizia and Nova Gorica will jointly be the European Capital of Culture, under the banner of GO!2025, a program created to celebrate the shared heritage, intertwined cultures, and histories of two cities that, despite belonging to two states, have always represented a single soul.

Within this ambitious cultural container, “ Ars Sine Finibus ” is grafted, a cross-border artistic project desired and proposed by Robert Princic ‘s Gradis’ciutta company and Matjaž Četrtič ‘s Ferdinand company, which aims to transform the vineyards of Collio and Brda into a permanent art park , thanks to installations created by young Italian and Slovenian artists , who worked together, called to imagine a sustainable future through natural materials and creative languages.

An initiative that blends art, territory, sustainability, and historical memory, symbolically—and concretely—overcoming the Italian-Slovenian border through the expressive power of art and cooperation.

But that’s not all. The art of Marco Nereo Rotelli, an internationally renowned artist known for his ability to blend poetry, light, music, and matter, will take center stage with the installations “So(g)no,” two large multisensory spheres designed by him. The works, which can be visited inside, have a diameter of 4 meters and are made of COR-TEN steel, an eco-sustainable material.

The project, curated by gallery owner Salvatore Marsiglione , involves the Gradis’ciutta wineries of San Floriano del Collio and Ferdinand nel Brda, “twin” areas, and is made up of two immersive installations that pay homage to the land and poetry, starting from a simple symbol: the grape, conceived as the “house of language” .

Rotelli inlays the illuminated grapes with poetry, involving the poets Aleš Šteger (Slovenia) and Valerio Magrelli (Italy).

Inside Giorgio Celiberti, famous A Friulian artist with an international exhibition program , who intervenes within the works by presenting a series of 25 ceramics that create a panorama, a ” Via Lucis ,” which transforms from informality into natural form. This celebrates the union and fusion between international art and local culture, through its most illustrious artist.

Of great significance is the contribution to the work of Professor Riccardo Valentini , a Nobel Peace Prize-winning scientist with the IPCC, one of the pioneers of terrestrial carbon flux measurements, who coordinated a global network of over 600 flux towers (FLUXNET) located in different ecosystems around the world and is the lead author of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change. He contributes to “So(g)no” with the “Tree talking” system he patented, installed here on the vines planted near the spheres, generating a synergy between humanity and the earth, generating vines and life .

The music that spreads through the spheres is by Alessio Bertallot , a well-known radio host, musician, and DJ. The poems of Valerio Magrelli and Aleš Šteger are dispersed, immersed, and fragmented in “Remota,” his sound work. They are flashes of voices from poetic depths, barely perceptible as human communications between distant places. “Remota” is an allusion to the Age of Hermetic Intoxication, which distances us from the center, from concentration on the meaning of life, but forces us into a labyrinth of boundaries. A recording and composition work presented as a world premiere. “So(g)no” seeks to evoke the dreamlike-artistic message of unity between languages, nations, and men.

The project partners of Ars Sine Finibus are Sinefinis and the companies Gradis’ciutta and Ferdinand. These three entities are closely linked by an ongoing collaboration. Gradis’ciutta, a historic winery in San Floriano del Collio led by Robert Princic, has been a benchmark for years, not only for the region’s excellent winemaking, but also fully embodies the vision of a land without borders. Its vineyards grow on hills that speak two languages but share the same land. The winery applies sustainable practices, respects natural cycles, and promotes the idea of wine as an authentic expression of the cultural landscape.

Ferdinand , the creation of Matjaž Četrtič , represents the pinnacle of BRDA wine production and one of the most awarded wineries in Slovenia.

The friendship and shared vision of Robert Princic and Matjaž Četrtič , both born in 1975 and raised a few kilometers apart but separated by the border, gave birth in 2008 to Sinefinis – a classic method sparkling wine “Made in the European Union” – produced with Italian and Slovenian grapes, a wine and a company that have always been standard-bearers of the idea of overcoming political borders with the aim of rebuilding, through nature and its excellence, a unique and indivisible panorama. 

In the intertwining of art and viticulture, the three entities confirm themselves not only as custodians of the land, but also as promoters of a culture without borders and a shared identity between Italy and Slovenia, capable of generating beauty, culture, and the future through dialogue . For Robert Princic and Matjaž Četrtič , supporting Ars Sine Finibus means advancing an idea of contemporary patronage , in which wine is not only a product but also a medium for dialogue between communities, generations, and cultures.

” Breaking down a border that has never really existed, except on maps: this is what we do every day, in our viticulture, in our relationships with the Italian and Slovenian families with whom we share the rows, and now also with art. We are proud to be a partner, once again, for Ars Sine Finibus. Supporting young people and contributing to cross-border culture is a responsibility for us, but also an opportunity. Throughout 2025, we will continue to open our doors to cultural projects thanks to GO!2025, because we believe that wine can be a tool for dialogue, just like art ,” say Robert Princic and Matjaž Četrtič.

Starting at 5:00 PM on Friday, September 5, the Gradis’ciutta winery (at Via Giasbana 32/a in San Floriano del Collio) will host the inauguration of the works and the awards ceremony for the competition for young artists under 35, presented by Andro Merkù, host of Radio Monte Carlo and a profound connoisseur of wine and local culture.

The young artists, evaluated by a jury of industry experts, will be the protagonists of the first part of the event, with Giorgio Celiberti welcoming. The afternoon will then feature a roundtable discussion entitled ” Young People and Nature Redefine the Future ,” featuring Professor Riccardo Valentini, Marco Nereo Rotelli, Alessio Bertallot, Ales Steger, Robert Princic, and Matjaž Četrtič.

The event will culminate with the discovery of the So(g)no installations by Marco Nereo Rotelli .

The project is supported by the GO!2025 Small Projects Fund of the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia Programme.

From the hills of Franciacorta to those of Garda, from the Colli dei Longobardi to the steep slopes of Valle Camonica, the province of Brescia is carpeted with vineyards that produce great wines.

Late summer and early autumn are the sweetest times to explore these extraordinary wine tourism regions, where hospitality is a must. Discover and savor them by following the winding Wine Routes and the trails marked out among vineyards and cellars. To immerse yourself in these landscapes dotted with vineyards and discover the flavors and knowledge linked to viticulture and the fascinating world of wine, visit www.visitbrescia.it for a selection of delightful—and often unusual— experiences , along with booking information.

Franciacorta: a territory, a production method, a wine

Franciacorta , home of the prized Franciacorta (the finest Italian wines refermented in the bottle using the Metodo Classico) to which it gives its name, is one of the Italian regions most beloved by wine tourists. Its hills are dotted with villages and castles, abbeys and patrician villas, and prestigious wineries: the Franciacorta Wine Route www.franciacorta.wine winds through it, starting in the center of Brescia and ending on the shores of Lake Iseo. Another reason to visit is the Festival in Cantina , scheduled for the weekend of September 19-21 . Participating wineries welcome guests with original events and guided tours with tastings. The festival offers engaging events and a rich program of initiatives dedicated to entertainment and in-depth food, wine, and culture. An event suitable for everyone: from wine enthusiasts, who can participate in themed tastings, to food lovers, who enjoy the delicious offerings of local restaurateurs and chefs, blending tradition and innovation. Ample space is dedicated to athletes, who can venture through the vineyards and hills on hikes, walks, or bike rides, as well as families, who can enjoy recreational activities and picnics in the countryside. There’s also no better opportunity to lose yourself among the many places of historical and artistic interest that dot the Franciacorta Road, from monasteries to small museums, or to pedal along the cycle paths carved through vineyards and villages.

Among the vineyards (and olive trees) of Garda and its three DOC zones

On the Brescia shore of Lake Garda, vines and olive trees characterize an enchanting Mediterranean landscape, along which the Garda Wine and Flavors Route winds , dotted with charming villages and quaint lakeside towns, dotted with wineries, olive oil mills, agritourism farms, traditional trattorias, and refined, sophisticated restaurants. You can discover it by following the driving itineraries downloadable from the website: www.stradadeivini.it (which wind through Valtènesi, for example, on the stretch from Sirmione to Salò, in the Alto Garda Park), or by relaxing on a bike along the thirty-kilometer route through the Lugana vineyards. These are the production areas of important and highly regarded Controlled Designation of Origin wines.

Valtènesi is the heart of the Riviera del Garda Classico DOC (and is at the top of the denomination), which runs from Sirmione to Limone sul Garda. Considered the last Mediterranean outpost in the heart of Northern Europe, between the municipalities of Desenzano and Salò in the heart of the Garda morainic amphitheater, it is characterized by a unique microclimate, influenced by the beneficial effects of the largest Italian lake. In this bucolic territory where hospitality is an art, vines have been cultivated since pre-Roman times. Its main wine heritage is the Groppello , which has found its chosen home here: a great native grape variety, it can be considered a sort of world heritage site, considering that in the world there are only 400 hectares cultivated precisely in this area. Another pearl of the Valtènesi is the prized Chiaretto , among the most important and appreciated Italian Rosés. Pleasant occasions to visit the Valtènesi are Valtènesi in Rosa in June and Profumi di mosto on October 5th , an event spread throughout the area, where each company offers experiences in the cellar and vineyard, from tastings to open-air art installations, to food and wine pairings (info at www.consorziovaltenesi.it).

The rolling morainic hills that hug Lake Garda to the south are the land of Lugana DOC , a refined lakeside white wine with illustrious origins, as its origins are certified since the 18th century and the winemaking tradition of these lands dates back at least to the Romans. Enclosed in a magical quadrilateral with the municipalities of Sirmione and Pozzolengo at its vertical peaks and Desenzano (with nearby Lonato del Garda ) and Peschiera del Garda at its horizontal peaks, the Lugana appellation spans the provinces of Brescia and Verona, in an area of extraordinary beauty, beloved by Italian and international tourists. The wineries welcome visitors with guided tastings, fine dining, accommodation options, themed museums, and many other delightful experiences. Produced from a particular local grape variety called “turbiana,” which guarantees structure and good longevity, Lugana—which benefits from the beneficial temperate microclimate of the lake—exudes aromas of wildflowers and citrus fruits and is today one of Italy’s most successful wines. To discover all its nuances, there is nothing better than visiting the cellars in autumn , or taking part in the Lugana Festival , an unmissable event in May in Desenzano www.consorziolugana.it.

The third DOC is San Martino della Battaglia , a dry white wine made from the white grapes of Tuchì or Tocai Friulano, which is widespread not only in Friuli Venezia Giulia but also in Veneto and eastern Lombardy. Its name derives from the place, in the municipality of Desenzano, where the bloodiest and most decisive battle of the Risorgimento was fought in 1859. A tall tower erected to honor the memory of Victor Emmanuel II and those who fought for the unification of Italy commemorates this battle. From its summit, there is an extraordinary view of the lower Lake Garda.

Pusterla, one of the largest urban vineyards in Europe, and the Colli dei Longobardi Wine and Flavor Route

Brescia boasts a rather unusual winemaking curiosity for a city: the Pusterla urban vineyard , which climbs up to the Castle , is among the largest urban vineyards in Europe , covering 3.4 hectares. The vineyard, which once provided the wines for the Desideriana nuns of the nearby Monastery of Santa Giulia (now an extraordinary UNESCO site), is the starting point of the Colli dei Longobardi Wine and Flavor Route, which extends south into an area traditionally dedicated to wine production, also to support the needs of the city, which was an important Roman center and, later, the seat of a powerful Lombard Duchy. Along the route of the Route, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026, it passes through towns with ancient history (such as Botticino, Berlingo, Castenedolo, Montichiari, Montirone, Capriano del Colle, Poncarale, Prevalle, Rezzato, Rovato, San Zeno Naviglio, and Flero). Wineries, small producers of excellent food and wine, trattorias and restaurants serving the most authentic Brescian cuisine, and collections worth visiting, such as the Botticino Marble Museum. To celebrate autumn and fully enjoy its flavors, in October and November, “Autunno Longobardo” (Lombard Autumn) is organized along the Wine and Flavors Route, featuring around forty events for a true taste journey, discovering the culture and landscape of the Brescia plain. www.stradadelvinocollideilongobardi.it

Mountain vineyards and terraces at the foot of the rocks in Valle Camonica

The Brescia mountains are also a land of fine wines. In Valle Camonica (known worldwide for its extraordinary rock carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), full-bodied and highly regarded IGT wines are produced. Along ancient paths, terraced vineyards, and through villages and wineries where you can stop for tours and tastings, the Valcamonica Wine Consortium and several independent wineries offer itineraries for cycling and walking, combining sport, fine wine, and mountain cuisine. The “Between Vines and Wines” trail, for example, passes through the vineyards and wineries of the Concarena alluvial fan, accompanied by information boards illustrating the history of viticulture in Valle Camonica. Starting from the Capo di Ponte information point and arriving in the center of Breno, the route offers the opportunity to make short detours to the area’s major points of interest, including the Naquane Rock Engravings Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Parish Church of San Siro and the Monastery of San Salvatore in Capo di Ponte, the Sanctuary of the Stations of the Cross in Cerveno, and the Sanctuary of Minerva in Breno. The “Between Vineyards and Olive Trees” route winds through the vineyards and olive groves of the municipalities of Piamborno and Darfo Boario Terme, offering visitors enchanting views of Lake Moro and Lake Iseo, with stops at sites of historical and cultural significance such as the monastic complex of the Sanctuary of the Annunciata in Piamborno and the Municipal Rock Engravings Park of Luine, a World Heritage Site. A special opportunity to learn about wines and the region is, on the weekend of October 24-26, 2025, the Valle dei Segni Wine Trail www.consorziovinivallecamonica.it.