L’Armenia ospiterà il Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2026 (21–23 maggio): un prestigioso riconoscimento internazionale per un settore vinicolo in forte espansione.

Per la prima volta nella sua storia, l’Armenia ospiterà la 33ª edizione del rinomato Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), in programma a Yerevan dal 21 al 23 maggio 2026 e dedicato alla sessione dei vini rossi e bianchi. L’evento riunirà oltre 370 degustatori professionisti provenienti da almeno 49 Paesi e offrirà l’opportunità di assaggiare e valutare circa 7.500 vini da tutto il mondo. La scelta dell’Armenia come Paese ospitante riflette la crescente reputazione internazionale del suo settore vitivinicolo nazionale.

L’Armenia vanta una delle più antiche tradizioni vinicole al mondo: nella grotta di Areni-1, situata nella regione di Vayots Dzor, gli archeologi hanno scoperto i resti della più antica cantina conosciuta, risalente a oltre 6.100 anni fa. Questo primato storico si intreccia oggi con una nuova era di rinascita produttiva, alimentata da investimenti, tecnologie moderne e riscoperta dei vitigni autoctoni. Le cantine armene—molte delle quali fondate nell’ultimo decennio—si stanno facendo notare per la qualità dei loro vini, spesso ottenuti da uve locali coltivate ad alta quota.

Il turismo del vino in Armenia è in rapida espansione. Numerose cantine—soprattutto nelle regioni di Vayots Dzor, Armavir, Aragatsotn e Tavush—sono oggi attrezzate per accogliere visitatori internazionali con degustazioni guidate, tour nei vigneti, esperienze gastronomiche e strutture ricettive di charme immerse tra i filari. L’interesse dall’estero è ulteriormente rafforzato da eventi come gli Yerevan Wine Days e l’Areni Wine Festival, così come dalla crescente partecipazione dell’Armenia alle principali fiere vinicole internazionali. Oggi, il Paese si sta affermando come una meta imperdibile per chi è in cerca di autenticità, gusto e cultura.

La viticoltura armena si distingue per la ricchezza dei suoi vitigni autoctoni, molti dei quali coltivati esclusivamente all’interno del Paese. Tra i più noti c’è il Sev Areni, uva rossa simbolo dell’Armenia, che dà origine a vini eleganti, dai sentori fruttati e speziati, spesso affinati in anfore o botti di rovere. Altri vitigni rossi autoctoni includono Haghtanak, Sireni e Karmrahyut, mentre tra i bianchi spiccano il Kangun e il Voskehat, quest’ultimo spesso definito “la regina delle uve armene”. Le vigne sono generalmente coltivate tra i 900 e i 1.800 metri di altitudine, conferendo ai vini freschezza naturale e un forte legame con il territorio. Accanto ai vitigni tradizionali, si fanno strada anche blend innovativi e spumanti metodo classico, a conferma di un settore dinamico e orientato alla qualità.

Il Ministero dell’Economia della Repubblica d’Armenia ha recentemente dichiarato il comparto vinicolo una priorità strategica per lo sviluppo economico e turistico del Paese. Ospitare il Concours Mondial de Bruxelles nel 2026 rappresenta una tappa simbolica e concreta di questo percorso: un’occasione per valorizzare i produttori locali, rafforzare il profilo internazionale dei vini armeni e posizionare l’Armenia come destinazione d’eccellenza per il turismo del vino.

From Friday 18th to Monday 21st July in the most evocative locations of Cinecittà and Appio Tuscolano.

Four days of tastings, guided tours, musical performances, film screenings, and many other events for an authentic and immersive experience in the city.

Rome rediscovers itself with Urban Safari , the free, widespread event that will enliven the most evocative locations of the VII Municipio with a program of cultural and sensory experiences. Four days, from Friday, July 18th to Monday, July 21st , will kick off an urban exploration journey through historic streets, archaeological sites, parks, and panoramic terraces, combining various cultural expressions, from music and poetry to archive films and food and wine. The four days, organized by the Municipio VII Department of Culture, in collaboration with Vinòforum , will feature some of the local wineries and food businesses in a journey that combines tastings with artistic and cultural moments.

“With Urban Safari, we want to offer residents an opportunity to rediscover, experience, and love our region through an immersive experience that combines art, music, and food and wine, ” emphasizes Riccardo Sbordoni, Councilor for Culture for the VII Municipio . ” The VII Municipio is one of the richest, most diverse, and fascinating areas of the capital, yet its most evocative corners are often little-known. This event was created precisely with the aim of enhancing historic, archaeological, and natural spaces, transforming them into living and welcoming stages, capable of expressing the beauty and complexity of our identity. Together with Vinòforum, we have created a journey that is not just a festival, but a true urban safari, an invitation to set out to discover our heritage, accompanied by authentic flavors, stories, music, and moments of sharing .”

Urban Safari presents a new way to experience and enhance the Roman region, a model of widespread, sustainable, inclusive, and accessible culture that springs from neighborhoods to tell the stories and traditions of authentic Rome. It focuses on community, the identity of places, and the craftsmanship of local producers to strengthen the bond between citizens and their territory.

The event will kick off on Friday, July 18th with “Luce on the Roof” on the terrace of the former Istituto Luce, featuring fine wine tastings, jazz music, poetry readings, and screenings of documentaries from the Archivio Luce . This initial event will then give way to a sunset tasting on Saturday, July 19th at the Giardini di Via Sannio . On Sunday the 20th, Urban Safari continues in the greenery of the Caffarella Park, with free guided tours along the ancient Via Latina (curated by the Humus Cultural Association and the Caffarella Park Committee) and children’s workshops hosted by Carlotta in the garden. The grand finale on Monday, July 21st features Twilight Stage and a jazz trio of teachers from the Percentomusica school, all accompanied by the presence of the area’s excellent food and wine. The tasting will include cured meats from Prosciuttificio Bassiano Reggiani , fermented products from Nesler Cibo Vivo , Jubilee Bread from Grande Impero and the Roman Bakers’ Association , the famous traditional Pizza Croccantina , and Roma IGP extra virgin olive oil, Primo extra virgin olive oil from Frantoi Cutera , pitted Coratina from Muraglia Savino , and Sabina DOC from Il Bagolaro . The oil tastings will be curated by EvooSchool , while the wine tastings will be provided by the La Mugilla , Casa Divina Provvidenza , Parvus Ager , and Casata Mergè wineries.

“I invite all citizens ,” continues Riccardo Sbordoni , “families, the curious, and enthusiasts to participate and be amazed by an event that is unprecedented in the history of this area: each stop will be a little journey into the Rome that we too often forget we have before our eyes.”

An idealized representation of a “vine forest” inspired by the Sangiovese grape variety to reconnect man and nature.

Remember…We are” is the translation of the title of the artwork by Marcela Castañeda which will be on display until the end of October on the lawn in front of the Osteria Meleto, within the Castello di Meleto estate in Gaiole in Chianti (SI).

The initiative is part of the broader cultural context promoted by the Chianti Classico Consortium , aimed at enhancing the synergy between contemporary art and the Tuscan landscape.

“Remember… We Are” unfolds on two closely integrated conceptual levels. On the one hand, it’s a poetic and political manifesto forcefully reaffirming the urgency of reconnecting with nature, the earth, and all that lives within. It’s an invitation to remember our deep roots in an era marked by environmental crises and identity disorientation. On the other, it’s the idealized representation of a “vine forest,” inspired by the Sangiovese grape, a symbol of Chianti Classico, of conviviality, and of the cultural identity of this region.

The work presents itself as a harmonious interweaving of text and matter, word and nature: the vine not only as a plant, but as a metaphor for rebirth , connection, and belonging. It is a project rooted in the landscape and time, and which speaks to the visitor directly and profoundly.

<< When the frenzy of everyday life forces us to move at inhuman speeds, art offers us reflection, time to explore what is happening, and what better setting for this need to slow down than the pristine nature of Chianti Classico, where Castello di Meleto has its origins. The Castle has established a strong bond with art and introspection since its origins: not only a destination for illustrious artists and “home” to pictorial masterpieces, it was also a hardworking Benedictine monastery, an era that still resonates in the place and its legacy. Bringing contemporary art into contact with the heart of Chianti Classico at the Meleto estate is also a sign of our responsible and conscious way of doing business, offering our guests a stay of great elegance with a constant focus on art and critical thinking . This is why we are extremely happy to be able to host “Remember…We Are” among our vineyards .>> states Francesco Montalbano, Director of Castello di Meleto .

Marcela Castañeda, born in 1992, lives and works in Florence. After completing her studies in Colombia and Italy, she developed an artistic practice that reflects on dwelling, understood as an extension of the body, and on the anthropological and symbolic dynamics of domestic space. Her works are distinguished by an interdisciplinary, poetic, and profoundly corporeal approach.

ONAV relaunches its digital training program with an even more accessible, flexible, and participatory edition. It reveals the profile of the 2.0 wine enthusiast: young, curious, and connected, from every corner of Italy.

September is the month when everything starts up again: daily routines resume, but so does the desire to do something for yourself. It’s the perfect time to rekindle your enthusiasm, get back into the game, and be inspired by new passions.

It is in this spirit that #VINODENTRO returns, the digital learning course by ONAV – National Organization of Wine Tasters – which transforms the classic “back to school” into an invitation to travel the world of wine, from the comfort of your own home.

AN INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL COURSE BETWEEN THEORY AND TASTING

#VINODENTRO is an educational program consisting of 21 lessons combining theory, practice, and guided tastings. Fifteen theoretical lessons, available in asynchronous e-learning mode, allow you to study completely independently and at your own pace. These are complemented by five tastings to discover the sensory profiles of selected wines.

A key aspect of the experience is the Tasting Box, a tasting kit delivered directly to each student’s home: a box containing twenty 50ml wine samples, representing different Italian typologies and regions, and a commercial-size bottle. A unique way to combine study and pleasure, allowing participants to immediately put what they’ve learned into practice, making each lesson tangible and engaging.

THE PROFILE OF THE DIGITAL WINE LOVER ACCORDING TO ONAV

The data collected by ONAV offers an interesting snapshot of those choosing digital training: a young, motivated audience spread across the country. A recent ONAV survey reveals the profile of the new digital wine lover: 60% are men, 40% are women. The majority are under 30 (58%), followed by the 31-50 age group (35%). This young and curious audience chooses digital training to cultivate their passion, often far from urban centers or traditional wine circuits.

The #VINODENTRO community is nationwide, with members from all Italian regions. Lombardy leads the way (27.9%), followed by Piedmont, Puglia, Lazio, and Tuscany. But the course also extends its reach: nearly 2% of participants live abroad, confirming the growing interest in Italian wine culture around the world.

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TRAINING FOR ALL

#VINODENTRO is designed for everyone: you don’t need to live in a big city or have prior technical training. All you need is an internet connection, curiosity, and a desire to learn, explore, and have fun. The course is perfect for anyone who wants to approach the world of wine with rigor, passion, and flexibility, without giving up the comfort of their own home. With #VINODENTRO, wine culture transcends traditional boundaries, becoming an inclusive, accessible, and affordable experience for everyone.

“With #VINODENTRO, we want to bring wine culture everywhere, even to the smallest places, where educational opportunities are often limited,” says Vito Intini, President of ONAV. “This course was created to bridge distances and make wine knowledge truly accessible to all, combining ONAV’s rigorous teaching methods with an engaging, flexible, and modern experience. It’s an invitation to approach wine with passion and awareness, wherever you are.”

Course registration includes a one-year ONAV membership card and recognition of the Wine Connoisseur level upon completion of the course. #VINODENTRO also offers the opportunity to go a step further: by supplementing the course with two in-person lessons at your local branch, you can obtain the official ONAV Taster certification by passing the final exam.

The new edition of #VINODENTRO will kick off on September 20, 2025, and registration is now open.

For more information, www.vinodentro.com