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Tramin winery: the long life of Epokale

The Termeno company presents the 2017 vintage of Gewürztraminer Spätlese, the pinnacle of quality for the variety and its evolutionary potential, supported by research by the Mach Foundation.

Cantina Tramin presents Epokale 2017, the new vintage of the wine created to redesign the stylistic and expressive canons of Gewürztraminer, challenging the evolutionary expectations of the variety.

“This vintage was notable for its limited yields and the late October harvest, which was slightly later than previous harvests, resulting in slightly overripe bunches,” explains Willi Stürz , winemaker and technical director of the Termeno winery. “In fact, starting with the 2015 vintage, we chose to return to a sweeter, more intense profile than previous years, realizing that greater concentration, and its relationship with acidity, allows us to extract the most from the grape variety in terms of aromatic breadth and refinement, body, balance, and extraordinary aging potential.”

The 2017 vintage, specifically, has a residual sugar content of 66 g/l and a pH of 3.7. However, the high residual sugar content requires more time to reach ideal balance in the bottle. For this reason, the winemaker decided to extend the aging of the 2017 vintage from six to seven years inside the Ridanna Monteneve mine (Bolzano), in conditions of darkness, humidity, and constant temperature at approximately 2,000 m above sea level.

The empirically based belief developed by Cantina Tramin over many years of observations, intuitions, studies, and field trials regarding the aromatic evolution of Gewürztraminer over time has finally found scientific support in research conducted by a team from the Edmund Mach Foundation* , coordinated by Professor of Food Chemistry Fulvio Mattivi . The study analyzed the chemical substances present in Gewürztraminer grapes and the associated aromatic conversion processes. It focused in particular on the central role of monoterpenes , which determine the grape’s typical aromas of rose, nutmeg, mango, lychee, and dried herbs. Many of these aromatic substances are released over the years, involved in slow chemical and enzymatic processes that give the wine further nuances and increase its complexity with aging. This characteristic, typical of Gewürztraminer , makes it one of the few white wines capable not simply of being preserved for a long time, but of strengthening and becoming more precious over time .

Epokale , debuting with the 2009 vintage, is the only Italian white wine to have earned 100/100 points from Robert Parker-The Wine Advocate . The potential for over twenty years of aging, the unique nature of its maturation in the mine, the extremely limited production of 2,150 bottles, and its select distribution make it a rare and precious wine, sought after by collectors.

The new Incontri Rotaliani format has won over audiences: wine experiences and wine labs have enjoyed a boom

The Trentino event closes with growth: 10% compared to previous editions and a high-profile comparison with Cortona and Côte Rôtie.

Renewed format and great participation for the fourth edition of Incontri Rotaliani , the biennial event that brings the Piana Rotaliana into dialogue with other Italian and international wine regions. A project that, edition after edition, strengthens relationships and creates lasting connections between territories and producers.

Among this year’s new initiatives, the wine experiences were particularly successful. Among these, Wine&Pizza , hosted by the De Vescovi Ulzbach winery on Sunday, October 26, attracted an audience of over 250. The event, dedicated to pairing Teroldego Rosato with Albert’s gourmet pizza, combined wine discovery and gastronomic culture in a convivial experience. The themed wine labs , many of which sold out, also received excellent feedback: six in-depth technical sessions dedicated to this year’s stars, Teroldego Rotaliano and Syrah di Cortona and Côte Rôtie . Tastings and discussions highlighted the similarities and differences between terroirs, production visions, and stylistic approaches, sparking debate on the identity, longevity, and future prospects of these great reds.

Incontri Rotaliani 2025 took place on 25 and 26 October in the municipalities of Mezzolombardo, Mezzocorona and San Michele all’Adige and recorded a 10% increase in participants compared to previous years .

The inaugural wine talk , moderated by Corriere della Sera Deputy Editor Luciano Ferraro, featured eight speakers: Goffredo Pasolli (Vice President of the Trentino Wine Consortium), Paolo Dorigati (Piana Rotaliana producer), Stefano Amerighi (President of the Cortona DOC Wine Consortium), Roberta Pasini (Cortona producer), Catherine Girard (Mayor of Sampigny-lès-Maranges, Burgundy), Maurizio Lunetta (Director of the Etna DOC Wine Consortium), Calogero Statella (Etna producer), and Julien Venancio (Burgundy producer). It was a fruitful and engaging discussion that touched on topics such as the role of consortia, production sustainability, and the valorization of terroirs. On the afternoon of Saturday 25 October, the walk around tasting brought together 27 companies including wine producers, distilleries and local food farms, attracting 250 people to the tasting tables .

Sunday, October 26th, was dedicated to wine experiences with tours dedicated to the legend of the Dragon’s Blood, alongside six thematic wine labs led by wine experts Attilio Scienza, Roberto Anesi, Divina Vitale, Adua Villa, Francesco Bruno Fadda, and Andrea Gori.

CONSORZIO BARBERA D’ASTI E VINI DEL MONFERRATO | OFFICIAL PROGRAM FOR THE 2025 BARBERA WINE FESTIVAL UNVEILED

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 talkSorsi 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.

Life of Wine 14th edition – a unique event dedicated to the evolution of wine over time.

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.

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