On November 11, Palazzo Valentini will host the final of the Competition dedicated to the best professional wine merchants in Italy and a round table on the theme of the future of the wine sector.

The finalists of the Best Professional Winemaker of Italy 2024 Competition will meet for the final on November 11 at Palazzo Valentini, in the heart of Rome. The Competition, organized by AEPI (Associazione Enotecari Professionisti Italiani), aims to enhance the figure of the Professional Winemaker , a constantly growing role that is attracting more and more young people, as demonstrated by the finalists, most of whom are Under 30. This initiative not only celebrates excellence in the sector, but also aims to encourage winemakers to continually improve , stimulating them to get involved, deepen their knowledge and develop critical thinking.

The six finalists of the Competition are: Daniele Liurni (Rome), Diletta Landozzi (Siena), Mattia Manganaro (Brescia), for the Bottle Shop category, and Silvia Angelozzi (Alba Adriatica, TE), Lorenzo Longhi (Milan) and Nicola Prestini (Brescia) for the Wine Shop with Glass of Wine category.

During the test, the finalists will have to deal with complex topics, which require analytical skills, reasoning ability and a solid technical preparation , functional to be able to answer questions both in Italian and in English, which combine listening skills, imagination, adaptability, empathy and sometimes knowledge of the psychology of the customer.

There are two categories of participation: the first is dedicated to wine merchants who work in shops with take-away sales, and the second is reserved for those who work in public establishments that also serve wine, such as wine bars, wine shops and taverns, where it is possible to taste and buy wines and spirits.

Finally, special prizes will be awarded: Best Winemaker Under 30 , sponsored by the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, Best Italian Winemaker Abroad , under the aegis of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Friuli Colli Orientali.

The announcement and award ceremony for the winners will begin at 6:15 p.m., preceded at 5:00 p.m. by the round table “The role of the professional winemaker: today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow”, moderated by Carlo Hausmann. During the meeting , the challenges and future opportunities of the wine sector will be discussed , addressing topics such as alcohol-free wine, natural wines, overproduction and new consumer trends. The Consortium for the Protection of DOC Cirò and Melissa Wines, the Consortium for the Protection of Chianti Classico Wines, the Consortium for the Protection of Colli Orientali and Ramandolo Friuli, the Institute for the Protection of Grappa del Trentino and the Consortium for the Protection of Wines del Trentino will be present.

Who is the Professional Winemaker?

The Enotecario is establishing itself as a complex and multifunctional figure, not limited to the simple sale of wine. In addition to advising on the choice of purchasing wines, it organizes courses for approaching wine, manages private tastings and offers personalized advice for the management of cellars.

Furthermore, the Enotecario is able to estimate the value of fine bottles, operating in a market monitored by the LivEx index which highlights the solidity of the sector even in times of crisis.

Last but not least, the Enotecario is an active communicator, collaborating with magazines, influencing social media and participating in juries of wine competitions, thus contributing to spreading the culture of wine.

A project wanted by the National Association Le Donne del Vino, supported by the Department of Agriculture of the Puglia Region and created by La Content to tell the stories and experiences of women who, through their professionalism, their charisma and networking, have determined the emancipation of an entire sector

“Donne, vino e segreti” is born, a podcast to inspire, emancipate and bring awareness to the role and professionalism of women in the world of the Italian wine industry.

The project, strongly supported by the National Association Le Donne del Vino (1200 members who work in the wine sector), was created by the agency specialized in storytelling, digital strategy and content creation La Content and supported by the Department of Agriculture of the Puglia Region with the aim of promoting gender equality, sustainable economic growth and the reduction of inequalities. The first 2 episodes of “Donne, vino e segreti” are available from today, on Spotify and all the main music streaming platforms. Here is the link to listen to them:

But the road to bridging the gender gap in this sector, still strongly characterized by male figures, is long. This is precisely the goal of the podcast “Donne, vino e segreti”: to share, through five episodes, stories and testimonies of extraordinary women who have in common not only a passion for the world of wine, but also having had to face challenges to emerge and assert themselves, confronting gender barriers and prejudices. In this podcast, revealing the “secrets” becomes an act of courage that contributes to creating representation, to building a space in which to identify and to give the right visibility to open the doors to the future and in particular to the new generations. Each of these women has not only contributed to the growth and innovation of this sector, but has also maintained a deep connection with tradition and the land, innovating or preserving. Giving shape and voice to this journey, supported by La Content, is Giulia Blasi , author of the podcast, writer and activist known for her commitment to female empowerment and for her books that address issues of gender and social justice. The backdrop to these stories is Italy and its history, its wine culture and the world of wine entrepreneurship, explored by the narrative voices of Laura Donadoni , journalist and wine educator, expert in wines and wine culture, and of Le Donne del Vino .

“With the podcast ‘Donne, vino e segreti’ – says the national president of Le Donne del Vino Daniela Mastroberardino – we want to give voice to the extraordinary stories of women who, with commitment and passion, have transformed the world of wine in Italy. This project is an opportunity to tell the stories of determination and success of our female entrepreneurs, to show how much we can achieve together when we believe in the power of networking and sharing. We have chosen the podcast as a new form of communication to also speak to the new generations”. “After the tragic death of Marisa Leo – adds Marianna Cardone, national vice president of Donne del Vino and member of the Puglia delegation – we all felt the urgency to do something concrete for the women who work in our sector, but not only. One day I called Laura Donadoni. We were both deeply saddened, but from that conversation the spark was born: the right way to talk about emancipation and freedom and to address women by giving them strength through the stories of those who have overcome difficulties, could be a podcast. Thanks to the support of the regional councilor for Agriculture of the Puglia Region Donato Pentassuglia, that intuition is now a reality. The podcast remains, just as the voice of our women remains. They are authentic stories, sometimes uncomfortable, but those who listen must think: I can do it too!”

“With this podcast we give voice to women’s work, from the field to the cellar and beyond. We try to make them understand, through their own voice, the emotions, the joys and also the fears of this profession – underlines Donato Pentassuglia, Councilor for Agriculture of the Puglia Region – which is a combination of dedication, rootedness in one’s own territory, ability to bring new ideas to the management of old or new companies. In Puglia, 173 female-run companies participated in the 2023 call for proposals dedicated to vineyard renovation. They are not simply wives or daughters or granddaughters of long-time entrepreneurs in our land. They are tireless professionals, who love this work and who are often called upon to make complex choices. Telling their story through the innovative tool of the podcast will serve to reach many listeners in an engaging way, on the various platforms included in the project”.

In Italy, a third of entrepreneurs are women and women who lead agricultural businesses with vineyards and/or cellars are 28% [1] contributing to the growth of a sector that today is worth a total of 45 billion.

The longevity of Gewürztraminer Spätlese allows for a year of maturation to reach its expressive peak. Its primacy as an Italian white wine in the secondary market has been confirmed.

To reach the highest qualitative peaks, time and preparation are necessary. Hence the choice of Cantina Tramin to postpone the presentation of Epokale 2017 to 2025 , extending the refinement inside the Ridanna Monteneve mine by one year.

The long period spent in the darkness of the tunnels, at a constant temperature and humidity, is crucial in the evolution of the Gewürztraminer Spätlese, which since the 2016 vintage has returned to a style in line with its origins, more concentrated and intense.

“The 2017 vintage was characterized by the small quantity of grapes harvested in late October, slightly later than previous harvests – explains Willi Stürz , oenologist at Cantina Tramin –. With the slight over-ripening of the grapes we obtained a wine of immense substance and body, which enchants with its aromatic breadth. It is the result of a long refinement , further prolonged , because after many years of studies, tastings and reflections we have understood how the uniqueness of Epokale also lies in the time needed to reach a rare harmony, given by the ideal integration between concentration and freshness, power and elegance”.

The ratio between the residual sugar of approximately 66 g/l and the acidity of over 5 g/l is decisive in defining an aging potential of over twenty years , which together with the peculiarity of the refinement, the extremely limited number of examples and the selected distribution make Epokale a wine sought after by collectors of fine wines.

In 2023, Epokale established itself as the Italian white wine with the highest and most constant percentage growth in price – reaching 110% – and therefore in value , in the secondary market* , i.e. the place where already circulating securities are traded. To date, in a market that in the last year has been marked by a decrease in consumption and a growth in inflation, Cantina Tramin has recorded a stable position within international auctions.

“I believe this is a very positive factor, especially if we consider that some types of products, both Italian and foreign, despite the growth in prices at source, have undergone a correction by the end public once they were placed on the markets – explains Mattia Garon , Wine Expert at Catawiki – . Epokale maintains its primacy as an Italian white wine that manages to place itself alongside of the great names of Italian and international winemaking . Confirmation of this is provided by both the economic results that show stability but also by the research itself by the public. In particular the debut vintage 2009”.

Important results also for the 2015 and 2016 vintages, which on eWibe – the first live market dedicated to the buying and selling of fine wines – in the last 12 months have recorded a growth of 7.78% and 8.33% respectively.

THIS WEEKEND, LAST 14 APPOINTMENTS WITH DIVINE OCTOBER.

The nineteenth edition of DiVin Ottobre , the Trentino Wine and Flavours Road festival dedicated to autumn, concludes with original tasting concerts, excursions through the landscapes and vineyards, visits to the cellars and tasty brunches.

On Friday 25 October, the Cantine Mezzacorona-Rotari in San Michele all’Adige will blow out a new candle in a now historic event with the One Hundred and Twentieth Harvest : at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:30 , a trip dedicated to Teroldego Rotaliano is scheduled, with guided tours and tastings of various expressions of this variety, from the classic Castel Firmian 2023 to the Nerofino 2020 blend up to the Riserva 2019, to then close with Teroldego grappa. To match, finger food made by Ristorante da Pino with products from Caseificio Sociale di Sabbionara, Caseificio Sociale di Coredo and ASTRO – Associazione Troticoltori Trentini. The participation fee is 20 euros (10 for children and young people up to 18 years old) and reservations are required by 2.00 pm on Thursday 24 October by calling 0461 616300 or writing to visite@mezzacorona.it.

At 6:30 pm , at the Cantina Roverè della Luna – Aichholz , it’s time for culture with Il Trentino del vino a SaturnArs , which includes the presentation of the award-winning volume Raccontare il Trentino del Vino by Attilio Scienza, Rosa Roncador and Nereo Pederzolli, in collaboration with the Consorzio Turistico Piana Rotaliana Königsberg and Pro Loco Roverè della Luna. At the end, tasting of company wines.

Friday 25th and Saturday 26th we celebrate Reboro, Territory and Passion , in homage to the renowned red wine for drying, with visits and tastings between Valle dei Laghi and Riva del Garda . A rich program that also includes Di Cantina in Cantina , a sensory journey through the cellars of Valle dei Laghi – Azienda Agricola Gino Pedrotti, Azienda Agricola Giovanni Poli, Azienda Agricola Francesco Poli and Maxentia – each of which will host a label of Cannonau di Mamoiada for a comparison between territories and their excellences. Complete program on www.gardatrentino.it.

Only on Saturday 26th , from 9.00 to 13.00 , Cantine Ferrari proposes Vineyards between past, present and future , with a 4 km accompanied walk from the modern vineyards of the Trento hill to the sixteenth-century ones of the frescoes of Villa Margon, with an initial stop among the pupitre of the underground cellars of Ravina and a final tasting of mountain bubbles combined with products from Caseificio Sociale di Sabbionara and Trota Oro. The participation fee is 55 euros per person. Reservations are required by Tuesday 22nd October by writing to hospitality@ferraritrento.it.

On Saturday 26th , dive into the foliage of the Val di Cembra with Passeggiata Di-Vigna organized by Tenuta Gottardi di Cembra which, starting at 10.00 , offers an excursion through the vineyards of the valley with a final tasting of a selection of wines from the company accompanied by cured meats from Macelleria Paolazzi, cheeses from Caseificio sociale Predazzo Moena and baked goods from Panificio Sosi. The participation fee is 35 euros per person, 20 for minors. Info and reservations by 12 on Friday 25th October by calling 334 2731962 or writing to info@tenutagottardi.it.

The Calici di note event is truly unusual, scheduled for 8:30 pm at the Teatro Comunale di Aldeno, where Cantina di Aldeno, Revì Trentodoc, Cantina Delaiti, Azienda Vinicola Ca’ De L’Albera and Antica Erboristeria Dott. Cappelletti will offer a tasting of one of their products that will be presented in combination with a piece of music performed by the Banda sociale di Aldeno. The connections between wine and music will be told by the well-known journalist and expert Nereo Pederzolli. The participation fee is 25 euros per person. Reservations are required by calling 331 1819903 or writing to info@bandasocialealdeno.it.

Double appointments at Innesti Restaurant in Pergine Valsugana : if at 11.00 on Saturday the special autumn brunch is scheduled, with brioche with sweet jams and creams, homemade cakes, zero-mile yogurt with muesli and an intriguing savoury proposal enhanced by the wines of Maso Martis, Azienda Agricola de Vescovi Ulzbach and Cantina Endrizzi, at 18.30 on Sunday 27th it is the turn of the autumn snacks , with tasty preparations accompanied by live music to best end an afternoon walk in the area, with Trota Oro products, wines from Villa Corniole and Zanotelli and Birra di Fiemme.

New appointment for Vigneti d’autunno di Maso Poli di Pressano di Lavis, Saturday 26 October at 10.30 and 14.30 with a walk through the vineyards and a final tasting to be paired with the products of Arturo Paoli Specialità Alimentari and Panificio Moderno; 100% Nosiola Saturday and Sunday , from 15.00 to 16.00 at the Hosteria Toblino in Sarche di Madruzzo with four tastings of this variety that marry a platter of local cured meats and cheeses and a taste of Garda Trentino extra virgin olive oil from Agraria Riva del Garda; Divin Teroldego Sunday 27 from Endrizzi to San Michele all’Adige with a tasting paired with cheeses from Caseificio Presanella and La Trentina apples and, at 11.00 and 15.00, a guided tour.

Both Saturday and Sunday , again, among farms, vineyards and districts in Ala , starting from the La Cadalora company, and in Terragnolo, between trekking and flavours , ending at Osteria 33 for the Fanzelto with products from Salumeria Belli and cheeses from Caseificio Sociale di Sabbionara, accompanied by a glass of wine from Albino Armani – Viticoltori dal 1607.

Finally Autumn Gourmet at the Grand Hotel Comano Terme: a long weekend of tastings, visits and dinners based on local products, from breakfast prepared by the pastry chef, to a tasting dinner with Slow Food presidia, interspersed with massages and wellness moments at the wellness centre and the Thermal Park.

The DiVin October event is organized by the Strada del Vino e dei Sapori del Trentino with the support of the Trentino – Alto Adige Region and La Trentina.