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

The fifteenth edition will take place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October at the “Arrigo Pedrollo” Conservatory with over 30 wineries and 120 wines for tasting..

Gustus – Wines and Flavors of Vicenza returns to the Arrigo Pedrollo Conservatory of Music in Vicenza on Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th . This event, dedicated to the three DOCs—Colli Berici, Vicenza, and Gambellara—is now in its fifteenth year and will involve more than 30 wineries , offering a selection of over 120 labels . The public will be able to taste wines from Vicenza producers during tasting sessions, open to the public from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday and from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sunday.

Over the course of the two-day event, visitors will be able to delve deeper into the three appellations, discovering the stories, values, and stylistic signatures of each winemaker: focus will be on native grape varieties such as Tai Rosso and Garganega, along with the international whites Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon, and the important Bordeaux interpretations based on Cabernet, Merlot, and Carménère. The tasting experience will be enhanced by musical accompaniment provided by Conservatory students and a culinary offering designed to showcase the riches of the region.

This year too, Gustus is placing a special focus on wine-related insights through two WineLabs . The first, Seven Notes for Seven Wines: the Tasteful Melodies of the Berici Hills , will be a blind tasting focusing on wines representative of the Vicenza area, paired with the notes of the musical scale. “What volcano are you from?” is the second event, dedicated to a “volcanic” blind comparison between interpretations of Gambellara Classico and white wines from other similar terroirs in Italy.

The fifteenth edition of the event also reaffirms its charitable purpose: part of the proceeds will go towards the continuation of the restoration of The Crucifixion , a fresco by the Vicenza painter Giovanni Vajenti Speranza that adorns the “Arrigo Pedrollo” Conservatory.

Starting Monday, September 1st, online tickets will be available at the reduced price of €20 on www.gustus-vicenza.it. The same discount will also be available to all members of AIS, ONAV, FIS, FIS, and Slow Food. Tickets can also be purchased on-site during the event for €25. The ticket price includes a glass of wine, the option of free tastings, and a plate of gastronomic specialties. Participants can also participate in the WineLabs for €10 each, upon purchase of an event ticket. For those who want to treat themselves to the complete experience during Gustus , there is the option to purchase a package online for €30, which includes access to the event and a guided tasting.

QUICK INFO | Gustus – Wines and Flavors of Vicenza When: Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th, 2025 Where: Arrigo Pedrollo Conservatory of Music, Contra’ San Domenico 33, Vicenza Hours: Saturday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Sunday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Tickets: €20 in advance, €25 on-site, and €20 for AIS, ONAV, FIS, Slow Food, and FISAR members. Winelab €10 each, upon purchase of an event ticket. For information: www.gustus-vicenza.it

On July 11th, Nervesa della Battaglia hosted a day entirely dedicated to Recantina, with a conference by the Academy of Vine and Wine and a meeting attended by 24 producers from the Asolo Montello Wine Consortium.

An intense day of learning, discussion, and tasting featuring Recantina, a native grape variety from the Asolo Hills and Montello, protected by the Asolo Montello Wine Consortium.

Organized by the Academy of Vine and Wine in collaboration with the Consortium, Giusti Wine and the GRASPO project, the meeting “ Recantina: Montello and the Asolani Hills between history, tradition and science ” highlighted the historical, scientific and oenological value of this variety, long forgotten and today at the centre of interest of producers and researchers.

” Recantina is the red face of our hills,” said Michele Noal, president of the Asolo Montello Consortium. “It’s a grape variety we almost risked losing, but it tells the story of our territory and is now being reborn with strength, thanks to patient and collaborative work between research and production. After the international success of Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, the time has come to promote this highly distinctive variety, capable of producing intense, elegant wines with great aging potential. This day is a key milestone in a journey we intend to continue with determination.”

The morning conference, aimed at the Academicians of Vine and Wine and moderated by Academician Danilo Riponti , opened with greetings from Ermenegildo Giusti , and then moved into the heart of the matter with presentations by soil scientist Giuseppe Benciolini , vine geneticist Luigi Bavaresco , oenologist Graziana Grassini , and wine communicator Silvia Baratta . Historian Franco Dalla Rosa , Grand Master of the Asolo Montello Wine Confraternity, provided a fascinating overview of the origins of Recantina, while oenologists Aldo Lorenzoni and Luigino Bertolazzi presented the GRASPO project and introduced an initial selection of wines made from rare local grape varieties.

The afternoon, dedicated to the Consortium’s member producers and the press, represented another key moment of the day, where Grand Master Franco Dalla Rosa, Michele Zanardo, President of the National Committee of DOP and IGP Wines and the President Emeritus of AIS Eddy Furlan spoke in a tasting dedicated to all the Recantina wines currently in production .

“It was a moment of technical and cultural value,” Noal added. ” We heard authoritative voices describe Recantina not only from a scientific perspective, but also from an experiential perspective. The goal is to encourage more and more companies to produce it.”

Recantina, a red grape variety with a deep color, aromas of berries, spices, and undergrowth, and a structure capable of withstanding long aging, confirms itself as one of the most promising varieties in the Veneto and national winemaking scene . An authoritative and original voice, it is poised to secure a prominent place in the new geography of Italian wine, thanks to the synergistic work of institutions, consortia, and producers.