Summer lights up with the authentic flavors of the region, combining Etruscan tradition with contemporary mixology: this tasting itinerary is curated by Umbria Top, the cooperative of Umbrian wineries.

Umbria confirms its role as a key player in the Italian summer with a fresh, innovative, and exciting wine selection.

Umbria Top , the cooperative of Umbrian wineries, presents a journey through the region’s most authentic flavors, where winemaking tradition meets the creativity of mixology. From elegant rosés to Umbrian vermouths to surprising wine-only cocktails —without the addition of spirits—Italy’s green heart is preparing to toast in style.

Umbrian rosé wines are a refined expression of the terroir, thanks to select grapes that bring freshness and delicacy to the palate. They are distinguished by a fruity and lively character, perfect for accompanying summer dishes and convivial moments. The combination of the temperate climate and mineral-rich soils gives these rosés a harmonious balance and elegant aromas. They are versatile wines, ideal for those seeking lightness without sacrificing aromatic complexity.

Vermouth production is also receiving significant attention: companies like Antonelli, Briziarelli, and Raina are reinterpreting this ancient flavored beverage with a regional twist. Umbrian vermouths are made with local wine and wild botanicals, ideal for enjoying on their own or as a base for natural and sophisticated cocktails. Other local companies are also developing projects dedicated to vermouth production, a sign of growing interest in this winemaking excellence reinterpreted with a local twist.

At the heart of Umbria’s summer offerings is a desire to innovate through wine: not just to be tasted, but also to be experienced as the main ingredient in light, aromatic, and sustainable cocktails. Far from traditional high-proof drinks, these cocktails are designed to showcase Umbria’s native grape varieties , pairing them with spices, fruit, and Mediterranean aromas.

Among the most representative cocktails:

Apple & Pink Julep – 100g of rosé (like Dievole Rosato, its inspiration), apple juice, and fresh mint. A balanced and refreshing blend, perfect for an aperitif.

Vino Tonic – Dry white wine such as Grechetto and tonic water in equal parts, served with ice, lime, and rosemary. A refreshing and light Umbrian alternative to gin and tonic.

Umbrian White Wine Spritz – With a touch of elderflower, soda, and lemon, this cocktail exudes all the freshness of summer.

Frosé – A rosé made from Sangiovese chilled and blended with fresh strawberries, citrus fruits, and a teaspoon of sugar. A perfect alcoholic sorbet for warmer evenings.

Citrus Sangria – Rosso Divertimento IGT 2012 with grapefruit and lemon juice, sugar, and basil leaves. A Mediterranean twist on traditional sangria, all Umbrian.

Umbrian White Wine Mimosa – Sparkling Wine or Prosecco with Orange Juice: A light summer brunch in a single glass.

The inspiration also comes from afar: at Etruscan banquets, wine was enriched with water, honey, and spices, conceptually anticipating mixology itself. This philosophy is reflected in cocktails like the Umbrian Bellini (wine and peach juice) or citrusy reinterpretations with basil and lemon zest.

Umbria thus presents itself as a laboratory for wine and mixology experimentation , where wine becomes a vehicle for creativity, culture, and conviviality. A proposal that combines sustainability, moderation, and flavor, bringing a new way of drinking to Italian summer tables.
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UmbriaTop’s initiatives are part of the initiatives to promote certified Umbrian products promoted by the UmbriaTop Wines Cooperative as part of the CSR Umbria 2023-2027 measure – intervention SRG10 “Promotion of quality products”.

On October 12th, the producers of the Asolo Montello Wine Protection Consortium will present themselves to the public with a major event celebrating the consortium’s first 40 years of activity.

Discover a region rich in cultural, wine, food, and landscape beauty, meeting the producers of some of the most renowned wines both nationally and internationally.

This will be the goal of the first event of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Asolo Montello open to the public, industry professionals, journalists and enthusiasts, which will be held on October 12th from 11:00 to 19:30 in the iconic Villa Barbaro in Maser , built by Andrea Palladio between 1554 and 1560.

The event, part of the calendar of initiatives promoted to mark the fortieth anniversary of its foundation, stems from the Consortium’s desire to celebrate its history along with the beauty of the places that cradle its vineyards.

For wine enthusiasts, this will be an unmissable opportunity to meet producers and taste Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Montello DOCG, and Montello Asolo DOC wines, with a packed program of events. The ” Elevate your choice: wine, beauty, and territory “ event will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 12th, with the official inauguration attended by authorities. The tasting table will be open until 7:30 p.m., and it will be possible to meet the producers. There will also be plenty of food options, with samplings of the region’s many gastronomic specialties.

The event will also be the perfect opportunity for those who want to discover a land where beauty, authenticity, high-quality food and wine , and extraordinary cultural sites converge. A prime example is the village of Asolo, the “city of a hundred horizons” : a destination for authors and writers from around the world, this small town perched in the Treviso hills, also chosen as a residence by the Cornaro family, is a small wonder of narrow streets, breathtaking views, historic sites, and exclusive shops. Less than 15 minutes from Asolo is Possagno , the birthplace of Antonio Canova ; here, in addition to the Canova Temple, is also the birthplace of the great sculptor, now a museum housing, along with his drawings and paintings, plaster casts of his sculptures.

In addition to Asolo, the area’s identity is tied to Montello , home to the Montello DOCG and Montello Asolo DOC still wines. Known as the “Forest of the Serenissima,” during the time of the Venetian Republic, it supplied wood for boats and palaces and, along with Asolo, was already famous for its wines, which were taxed more than those in the rest of Italy. A symbol of these hills is the Abbey of Sant’Eustachio, in Nervesa della Battaglia, where Monsignor Giovanni Della Casa wrote his “Etiquette” in the 16th century. Montello is also one of the most significant sites of the First World War, where the Austrian advance was halted on the Piave River, marking the turning point of the conflict. This legacy is evidenced by the Great War trails, tourist itineraries immersed in nature that wind throughout the area.

For visitors arriving from outside the region, a wide range of accommodations allows you to stay overnight in one of the most beautiful areas of Italy: from B&Bs to historic homes and charming hotels, to family-run farmhouses.

For information: info@asolomontello.it

The historic winery will be among the protagonists of the 2025 edition of “Calici sotto le Stelle”.

On August 10th, the historic center of Montepulciano will once again be decked out in celebration for one of the most evocative evenings of the year: “Calici sotto le Stelle,” a celebration of wine under the luminous skies of the night of San Lorenzo. This event unites culture, tradition, and flavors, and will feature Talosa , a historic local winery, among the prominent wineries participating.

In an atmosphere enlivened by live music, artistic entertainment, and rotating tastings, visitors will savor the authenticity of Talosa wines, which capture the distinctive character of the region in every glass. Two iconic labels will be the stars of the evening: Alboreto 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and Rosso di Montepulciano 2024 .

The 2020 Alboreto is an intense and balanced Vino Nobile, the result of a careful selection of Sangiovese grapes and aged in tonneaux and large barrels, for a result that combines elegance and depth. The 2024 Rosso di Montepulciano , for its part, is a youthful and dynamic wine, captivating with its vivacity, fruity profile, and immediate freshness, perfect for accompanying summer evenings.

Both wines embody Talosa’s production philosophy: a vision that draws on history to look to the future, with vineyards located between 350 and 400 meters above sea level, cultivated with environmentally friendly practices and vinified with innovative techniques that preserve the integrity of the fruit. The favorable microclimate and unique geological composition of the soil give the labels a clear and recognizable identity, a symbol of the terroir’s quality.

Talosa’s appointment at “Calici sotto le Stelle” therefore represents a precious opportunity to discover or delve deeper into the world of a winery that for generations has been telling the story of Montepulciano through wine, combining tradition, authenticity, and a constant focus on excellence.

Grado “On The Beach”, on the beach at sunset, barefoot in the sand or in sandals, to enjoy the most sophisticated summer cuisine.

The date is July 29th , when the highly anticipated and now traditional event of taste, style, and social life on the Grado summer calendar will take place: the Dinner Show by Friuli Venezia Giulia Via dei Sapori , the renowned group of 25 restaurant stars who present the finest Friuli Venezia Giulia cuisine in highly evocative locations. Their third Dinner Show 2025 will be held on the main beach of the GIT , by the sea, in a glamorous and elegantly informal atmosphere.

It will be a 23-stage dinner show celebrating summer cuisine, with its flavors and aromas, freely interpreted by the chefs of the group’s restaurants , who will cook highly creative dishes created specifically for the evening live in front of the audience. Alongside them, winemakers from Friuli’s most prestigious wineries will suggest the perfect food and wine pairing. Performing will be chefs from Ai Fiori in Trieste, Al Gallo in Pordenone, Al Grop in Tavagnacco, Al Paradiso in Pocenia, Al Ponte in Gradisca d’Isonzo, Alla Luna in Gorizia, All’Androna in Grado, Caffetteria Torinese in Palmanova, Costantini in Collalto di Tarcento, Da Alvise in Sutrio, Da Nando in Mortegliano, Enoteca in Buttrio , La Torre in Spilimbergo, Le Fucine Gourmet in Buttrio, Lokanda Devetak in Savogna d’Isonzo, Mandi Parentesi Friulana in Lignano Sabbiadoro, San Michele in Fagagna, Tre Merli in Trieste, and Vitello d’Oro in Udine. They will also be joined by chefs from Motus Contemporary Bistrot in Grado, Raviolo Factory in Villa Santina, and Ristorante Prosciutterie IE dal 1988 in San Daniele.

The opening – as well as the closing with desserts, ice creams, coffee and spirits – will be entrusted to the artisans of taste , top-level agri-food producers, who for 25 years have been united with restaurateurs and winemakers around the same project: the valorization of the food, products and territory of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The dinner show will begin at 7:30 pm. The price is €90. Tickets can be purchased at the group’s restaurants and from the consortium office (info@friuliviadeisapori.it, tel. +39 0432 530052, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm). In case of inclement weather, the dinner will be held on July 30th. Parking: Via Vespucci and Viale del Sole.

Friuli Venezia Giulia Via dei Sapori is a close-knit group of 72 top-quality businesses: 25 restaurateurs —from the Adriatic Sea to the Alps—who champion the many facets of regional cuisine, each conceived and reimagined according to their own unique approach; 24 winemakers and distillers ; and 16 artisans of taste , supported by 7 technical partners . Over a million tastings served, showcasing excellence and the region’s rich heritage, 185 events in 83 locations around the world promoting Friuli Venezia Giulia’s food and wine culture, over 2,000 recipes created to delight audiences with unique dishes that recount the region’s culinary history in a unique way, more than 35,000 bottles opened, and 1,383 times winemakers, artisans of taste, and partners have appeared on menus, making every experience unique: these numbers summarize the consortium’s flagship product of regional excellence in food and wine.