Official presentation of the program for the second edition of the Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival, scheduled for November 7-10, 2025, in Piazza Alfieri – Asti.

The official program of the second edition of the Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival , scheduled from 7 to 10 November 2025 in Piazza Alfieri – Asti, was presented today in the Gianni Basso Hall of the Alfieri Theater in Asti.

During the press conference, organized by the Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato Wines Consortium in collaboration with Go Wine and with the support of the Municipality of Asti , in the presence of the President of the Consortium Vitaliano Maccario , the Mayor of Asti Maurizio Rasero , Massimo Corrado of Go Wine and Livio Negro President of the Cassa di Risparmio di Asti Foundation , the contents of an edition that promises to be even richer and more varied were revealed, with events dedicated to industry professionals, enthusiasts and new generations of wine lovers.

“ The Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival represents a moment of great visibility and pride for us ,” said Vitaliano Maccario , President of the Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato Wines Consortium. “ It is a unique opportunity to showcase Barbera d’Asti and our protected denominations in an authentic and contemporary way, showcasing the work of the producers and the quality of the wines that represent the soul of our region. Through masterclasses, tastings, and opportunities for discussion, the Festival will offer visitors the opportunity to discover the extraordinary variety of the denominations protected by the Consortium, get to know our producers up close, and understand the profound bond that unites wine with the landscape, culture, and community of Monferrato. We want these days to be an opportunity for meeting, celebrating, and shared growth, capable of highlighting the strength of a region that looks to the future .”

” The Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival is an event that perfectly captures the spirit of our city: welcoming, vibrant, and deeply rooted in its roots ,” continues Asti Mayor Maurizio Rasero . ” Asti is experiencing a period of renewed cultural and tourist energy, and this event represents an important part of a broader project to enhance the area. Wine, with its history and its strong identity, becomes the common thread in a story that unites producers, institutions, and citizens. It is a sign of how, by working together, we can build a future in which tradition and innovation coexist and strengthen each other, offering Asti and the Monferrato region an increasingly international perspective. ”

“ The Foundation, through the “Culture and Territory Call” project, supports strategies aimed at the promotion and territorial development of the DOC and DOCG wines of Monferrato ,” adds Livio Negro , President of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Asti . “ The initiative aims to encourage the implementation of interventions and events aimed at the tourist and cultural valorization of the area, while at the same time promoting knowledge and dissemination of its winemaking excellence. In this way, the Foundation contributes to strengthening the identity of Monferrato and consolidating its role as a reference area in the national wine and cultural panorama .”

The Festival will kick off on Friday, November 7th at 6:00 PM with the opening talk ” Sorsi di Futuro: sostenibilità, giovani e territorio di vino ,” moderated by Federico Monga, deputy editor of La Stampa. The talk will feature representatives of the Consortium, Michelin-starred chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, and Stevie Kim , founder of the Italian Wine Podcast, as well as prominent Piedmontese journalists. The event will be an opportunity for discussion and dialogue on the topic of sustainability and new consumption styles , an increasingly central topic in the debate on the future of Italian wine and gastronomy. Through the experiences and visions of the speakers, the talk will explore how the value of sustainability —environmental, economic, and social —is influencing the choices of younger consumers, guiding producers’ strategies, and redefining the relationship between quality, ethics, and the pleasure of food and wine.

Saturday, November 8th, will be dedicated to a cooking show hosted by resident chef Gianluca Renzi of the Michelin-starred restaurant “Le Cattedrali.” This event, open to the public, will allow you to discover the excellence of Asti’s cuisine, reinterpreted through the art of cooking by a young rising star on the international gastronomic scene. You will also have the opportunity to preview the wines that will be featured on Sunday and Monday at the tasting tables. The evening will be enlivened by a DJ set and a cocktail station, bringing a contemporary and convivial atmosphere to the city center, showcasing the versatility of Monferrato wines, even in mixology.

On Sunday 9th and Monday 10th November , Piazza Alfieri and the spaces of the historic centre of Asti, the beating heart of the event, will host tasting stands of producers open to the public and dedicated to direct encounters with the local wineries.

In-depth studies on the denominations will be the focus of four internationally renowned masterclasses held at the Alessandria-Asti Chamber of Commerce: on Sunday morning , Veronika Crecelius, journalist and correspondent for Meininger’s Wine Business International, will be followed by an appointment with Aldo Fiordelli, a prestigious author of James Suckling; in the afternoon, Pietro Russo , Master of Wine , will accompany participants on a sensory journey, while on Monday 10th, expert Costantino Gabard will close the masterclasses scheduled for the second edition of the Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival.

In addition to the main events, the program includes social gatherings, food tours, and initiatives spread across the city’s iconic locations, during a weekend that will transform Asti into the capital of Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato wines.

With its inclusive and cross-disciplinary approach, the Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival 2025 confirms its ability to combine culture, experience, and promotion, helping to strengthen the bond between wine, territory, and community.

A unique journey to discover the evolution of bottled wine Sunday, November 30, 2025 Hotel Villa Pamphili, Rome

Life of Wine returns to Rome , the only event in Italy entirely dedicated to old vintages and their evolution over time .

On Sunday 30 November 2025 , in the spacious rooms of the Hotel Villa Pamphili in Rome , the 14th edition of an event that has now become an essential stop for producers, operators and wine enthusiasts will take place.

Created by Studio Umami and Roberta Perna Comunicazione Enogastronomica , with the collaboration of the journalist Maurizio Valeriani ( Vinodabere ), Life of Wine brings together a careful selection of Italian companies that have chosen to tell their story through time , presenting to the public different vintages of one or more labels that are symbolic of their production history.

Each tasting is a mini-journey: the same wine from multiple vintages , to understand how time shapes the character, depth, and soul of each bottle. A practical way to discover what endures, what changes, and what improves with age.

The atmosphere remains the same as that which has always distinguished Life of Wine : calm, curious, fun, and focused. A meeting place where you can listen, taste, and share.

Opening hours and access methods

– From 10:00 am to 1:30 pm: Access reserved for registered sommeliers (€25 admission), wine industry professionals, press, and communicators (required accreditation, available online from September 1st).

– From 1:30 PM to 7:00 PM: Open to the public (€35 admission, free tastings included).

Accreditation and ticket information: www.lifeofwine.it/accrediti/

The 2024 edition once again confirmed the great interest in this format, attracting over 600 attendees and the involvement of more than 60 wineries, with a strong presence of industry professionals and trade press. This success confirms Life of Wine as a national reference point for those who want to understand and delve deeper into the topic of wine longevity.

The talk show, hosted by the five winners and moderated by journalist Alessandro Milan, focused on the theme chosen for the award, “Progress and Conflicts: Paradoxes of the Present,” punctuated by the winners’ testimonies and stories.

The awards ceremony for the 44th Masi Prize was held yesterday, Friday 24 October, at Monteleone21, following the traditional signing of the Amarone barrel in the historic cellars in the heart of Valpolicella.

The five winners – Alberto Bombassei , an entrepreneur from Vicenza, Fabrizio Plessi , an international artist, and Federica Manzon , a writer from Trieste, for the Masi Civiltà Veneta Award ; José Vouillamoz , a Swiss ampelographer and geneticist, for the Masi Civiltà del Vino International Award ; Gilles Kepel , a French political scientist, for the Grosso D’Oro Veneziano – were the protagonists of the talk moderated by journalist Alessandro Milan .

Sandro Boscaini, Vice President of the Foundation and President of Masi , introduced the ceremony from the Monumental Fruit Store, Masi’s new wine tourism and experiential hub: “Monteleone21 is the new home of Amarone, but also a space where wine dialogues with art and culture. Today, we celebrate not only the excellence of the region, but Veneto’s ability to interpret the challenges of the contemporary world.”

Milan, inviting the award winners to the stage of the Agora, immediately entered into the heart of the conversation by introducing the common thread of this edition: “Progress and conflicts: paradoxes of the present” .

The theme, developed during the roundtable, explored one of the great contradictions of our time: if on the one hand, wars and conflicts arise from the need to assert an identity , on the other, rapid social, economic, cultural, climatic, and technological changes—including the transformations introduced by artificial intelligence—force humanity to confront the fear of losing that identity or, conversely, to build a new one. In this scenario, the technological dimension emerges as a force to be consciously governed , so that it does not escape human control but remains an instrument of human progress. Similarly, geographical borders, today more fluid, become spaces of fracture but also of redefinition, requiring conscious choices to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth, adaptation, and innovation.

The winners discussed these reflections.

Gilles Kepel , a profound expert on international dynamics, highlighted the fragilities of the Middle East as a mirror of global tensions, offering a timely reflection on the geopolitical framework and recalling the urgency of knowledge capable of guiding technological progress towards understanding between peoples, rather than towards new imbalances.

Federica Manzon reflected on the value of borders, which today have become both a place of encounter and rupture, and the relationship between creativity and artificial intelligence as a new terrain for the confrontation between freedom and limitation, highlighting how humanity must confront the construction or risk of losing its identity.

Fabrizio Plessi emphasized the role of art as a universal language capable of bridging differences, viewing technology not as a threat but as a tool for restoring emotion and humanity to the contemporary world.

José Vouillamoz turned his attention to the world of wine, where the challenges of climate change and global trade tensions require combining scientific innovation and biodiversity conservation, in a constant balance between progress and tradition.

Speaking in a video message, Alberto Bombassei recalled his Venetian roots and the value of innovation as a bridge between past and future, capable of supporting humanity in managing global and local changes.

After the talk show, Sergio Valente , Masi’s importer in Taiwan , was awarded the Targa Giorgio Boscaini , an award that for over forty years has rewarded friendship, collaboration and contribution to the success of the brand and the promotion of Venetian values.

At the end of the event, the winners of the Venetian Civilization and the Civilization of Wine awards were presented with the precious bottles of Amarone Costasera , made by Venetian master glassmakers and silk-screened in gold, while Gilles Kepel was awarded the Grosso Veneziano, a gold creation by master goldsmith Alberto Zucchetta .

Scenic walks through the vineyards to admire the spectacular autumn foliage. Creative workshops, sensory activities, lunches with the winemaker, and tastings of traditional desserts and products are also available.

MTV Cellars invites wine tourists to drink responsibly and offers visitors a mini wine quiz to celebrate Wine in Moderation Day.

It’s the time of year when the vines turn red and the cellars come alive again: this is the backdrop for Cantine Aperte a San Martino 2025 , an event celebrating the pleasure of informed, authentic, and engaging tastings during the wine festival of the latest harvest. From November 1st to 11th, the producers of the Movimento Turismo del Vino will open their doors to experience autumn together and discover all the stories linked to San Martino’s Day, one of the most beloved holidays in the rural calendar that celebrates the arrival of the new wine.

This spirit of conviviality and love for the land is renewed every year thanks to the producers of the Movement and the numerous organised activities, suitable for all enthusiasts, from beginners to families and anyone who wishes to learn about the territories, traditions and people who make each wine unique.

Stroll among the rows to discover the most fascinating views of each region, colored by the autumn foliage, verticals of new and old vintages. For the little ones, there will be creative workshops related to leaf and chestnut gathering.

Then, dinners with the winemaker in front of the fireplace and wine tastings paired with traditional local delicacies: in Veneto, tradition calls for the delicious “zaeti,” golden biscuits with raisins, and the Venetian dessert “Cavallo di San Martino,” a shaped and decorated shortcrust pastry. In Emilia-Romagna, they prepare “la pagnotta di San Martino,” a peasant cake with sultanas and nutmeg, while in Romagna, the “biscotto di San Martino” is a must, crumbly and fragrant thanks to the anise seeds, perfect for dipping in new wine.

In Tuscany, we find the “schiacciata di San Martino,” a sweet focaccia, and the “Sanmartini,” small dry biscuits flavored with sweet wine or anise. From the Marche region, we find the “lonzino di fico,” a salami-shaped dessert made with dried figs, almonds, cocoa, sapa (a kind of grape must), and mistrà (a kind of grape must). In Umbria, we find the “Pan Caciato di San Martino,” with raisins, walnuts, and pecorino cheese. Abruzzo celebrates the saint with various focaccias: the “pizza coi quattrini,” so called because of the small coin hidden inside as a symbol of good luck; the “pizza di San Martino,” sweet and flavored with aniseed; and the “pizza scima,” rustic and unsalted. In Lazio, tradition calls for the “pizza rietina,” a focaccia enriched with must and dried fruit, while in Campania, the “pizza di San Martino” is transformed into a hearty potato pie. Moving down to Calabria, we find “San Martine”: shortbread biscuits filled with dried figs, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and cooked wine. In Sicily, the star is the “biscotto di San Martino,” rustic and flavored with fennel seeds or anise. In Sardinia, “papassinos,” sweets made with grape must, almonds, walnuts, and raisins. But hot chestnuts still dominate the table, and there’s no shortage of typical local cheeses and cured meats.

“Cantine Aperte a San Martino is much more than a wine event ,” emphasizes Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini, President of MTV. “ It’s an invitation to slow down and experience the exciting autumn atmosphere with a shared and mindful toast. It’s no coincidence that this year, too, our event is linked to Wine Moderation Day on November 8th. In our cellars, wine becomes a language of discovery and unity that should be experienced with balance and participation. Promoting this approach means remembering that every wine is a concentration of culture, landscape, and emotion, so that we can fully appreciate it.”

Embracing the message of promoting moderate drinking, the Movement once again emphasizes the pleasure of responsible tasting, promoting tasting as a gesture of balance and respect not only for oneself and others, but also for wine and its producers. Wine tourists visiting the MTV cellars during Cantine Aperte a San Martino will also be offered a mini-quiz created with Wine in Moderation . It’s a way to test their knowledge of the rules of good drinking and perhaps learn something new.

Follow the wineries’ programs on www.movimentoturismovino.it

Abruzzo: Eight Abruzzo wineries will welcome wine tourists to their vineyards and cellars, celebrating responsible drinking and rural culture. Guided tastings, creative workshops, moments of conviviality around the fireplace, and meetings with producers to hear all the stories behind the latest harvest are included.

Friuli Venezia Giulia: 38 wineries ready to celebrate San Martino together, with tastings paired with traditional Friulian products, visits to centuries-old parks, tastings of old and new vintages, chestnut picking, lunches and dinners with the winemaker, tours of the barrel cellar, and many other events in the vineyards and cellars to fully experience the autumn atmosphere.

Piedmont: Mazzetti D’Altavilla awaits you for all eleven days, including wine and spirits tastings, guided tours of the cellar, the barrel room, and nearby attractions. Then, continue with pairing sessions featuring Piedmontese specialties and specially designed menus.

Tuscany: Camigliano, Villa Le Prata, and Fattoria La Maliosa will lead you on a discovery of autumn flavors and the wines of the latest harvest. Vertical tastings of great vintages, chocolate pairings, blind tastings led by the producer, and dinners featuring traditional products, including local extra virgin olive oil, homemade jams, and local cheeses, all enjoyed by the warmth of the fireplace. Some wineries also offer overnight stays and a fresh, wholesome breakfast.

Veneto: Four wineries in the region will open their doors to enthusiasts to share this fascinating moment of the winemaking season. The program includes nature walks, chestnut picking, guided tastings paired with local products and local extra virgin olive oils, and lunches and dinners with the winemaker to celebrate the new wine and the end of the harvest. Some wineries will also offer special creations and gifts, perfect as gift ideas for Christmas.