Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato is pleased to share with you the press release regarding the Monsterrando Barbera d’Asti UCI Gravel World Series, of which the Consortium is a partner for this third edition.

SPORT, WINE AND TOURISM FOR THE PROMOTION OF A UNIQUE TERRITORY.

They have the appearance of a road bike but have all the features to tackle dirt roads, dirt roads and country paths: Gravel bikes are the protagonists of one of the most anticipated events in the sports wine tourism calendar, 2024 Monsterrando Barbera d’Asti UCI Gravel World Series , scheduled for next August 31. Now in its third edition, the event is part of a unique international circuit and combines a love of cycling with the desire to appreciate the natural beauty and traditions of the area, known for its quality wines. In fact, the Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato Consortium is a partner of the 2024 edition. “ The Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato Consortium supports and promotes an event that represents an opportunity to promote the winemaking excellence of the area, in particular Barbera d’Asti – said Vitaliano Maccario , President of the Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato Consortium – which as a Partner will be present with a Barbera wine distribution point. The 2024 Monsterrando Barbera d’Asti UCI Gravel World Series offers an immersive experience that allows you to discover the Monferrato outdoors, unique for its beauty ”.

The world of cycling event dedicated to gravel is open to professional athletes but also to amateurs who will be able to participate in the competition, divided by age groups, and explore dirt roads and paths through the Monferrato hills. For professional athletes instead it will be one of the stages to overcome in order to participate in the Gravel World Cup. The competition route, 152 km long, is part of an even larger event which is the Gran Monferrato Gravel Brevetti promoted by the Consorzio Gran Monferrato, or rather the first edition of the Gran Monferrato Gravel : a three-month initiative that allows cyclists and amateurs to test themselves with five routes, downloadable as GPX tracks, in as many areas of the Gran Monferrato. “ This new synergy fully represents the success of multiple intentions – underlines Andrea Guerrera, president of the Gran Monferrato Consortium – sport, tourism and wine are three strategic assets for the promotion of the territory, able to offer a unique experience that combines the passion for cycling with the discovery of the wine traditions and the scenic beauty of Monferrato ”. To participate in the Monsterrando event, you can register at the following; for more information on the event, you can consult the Monsterrando.it website, while to learn more about the Gran Monferrato Gravel event, you can connect to this LINK.

The Italian wine sector, a pillar of the country’s agri-food economy, is facing a critical period.

According to the latest report, in the first half of 2024, the wine market showed a 2.5% drop in sales in volume, a worrying sign for an industry that generates an annual turnover of billions of euros.

But what is really happening in the Italian wine sector and how are producers responding to these changes?

The decline in sales is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader trend that has seen a 3.4% decline in sales of still and sparkling wines, while sparkling wines have seen a 4.2% increase. This shift in consumer preferences is highlighted by the growing popularity of Prosecco and other bubbles, which appear to be better suited to changing consumer tastes and emerging trends.

Despite an increase in average prices, the decline in volumes sold has posed significant economic, employment and social challenges for companies in the sector. In particular, red and white wines have suffered the greatest contractions, with producers facing reduced production, potential job losses, and growing economic pressures.

In response to these obstacles, many producers are exploring new market strategies. Among these is the adoption of advanced technologies to optimize distribution and expand their offerings. Recent studies show that platforms like Liv-Ex are becoming increasingly central to wine merchants, allowing them to access a vast global market without the need for large investments in inventory.

Companies like Wine Empire in the United States and Benchmark Wine Group have transformed their business models, integrating e-commerce systems that allow consumers to access a wider variety of wines, often difficult to find elsewhere. This has not only helped these companies mitigate losses caused by the decline in domestic demand, but has also opened up new market opportunities.

As the Italian wine sector continues to navigate these turbulent waters, the key to survival may lie in the ability to quickly adapt to market changes and leverage available technologies to improve efficiency and reach new customers. However, the biggest challenge will remain to maintain the quality and reputation that have made Italian wines iconic worldwide. Only by balancing innovation and tradition can the sector hope to overcome this critical phase and move towards a stable and lasting recovery.

Vinnaeria by Accademia – August 23 guided tasting: Journey through Austrian wines from vineyards tended by Vine Master Pruners Simonit&Sirch.

Guided tasting at Vinnaeria by Accademia di Capriva del Friuli on August 23rd

After the success of the event dedicated to Italian and foreign Rosé wines, the special events for wine lovers continue at the Vinnaeria by Accademia in Capriva del Friuli .

The next Wine Experience , scheduled for Friday 23 August at 6:30 pm, is an unusual and stimulating journey through Austrian wines from the vineyards managed by Vine Master Pruners Simonit&Sirch . The tasting, led by Sommelier Michele Paiano , will feature six Austrian wine excellences paired with two dishes prepared by Antonio from Macelleria Bonelli in Cormòns . The Battuta di Pezzata Rossa from Az. Picco Grions will be paired with Kremstal Brut Nature Reserve 2018 from the Malat winery; Wagram Ried GMIRK Gössing Grüner Veltliner 2023 from the Ott winery; Kamptal Schenkenbichl Grüner Veltliner 2018 from the Weszeli winery; Wachau Ried Steiner Hund Riesling 2017 from the Nikolaihof winery; Kamptal Riesling Heiligenstein Alte Reben 2016 from the Weingut Bründlmayer winery. The Picanha di Limousine from Az. Ermacora cooked on the grill in front of you will be paired with Eisenberg Eisenberg Blaufränkisch 2021 from the Wachter Wiesler winery. Places are limited (maximum 35 participants), the price is 59 euros .

Attached to the Accademia Vine Lodge , an elegant country hotel by Simonit&Sirch , the “Master Pruners” requested by the most famous Italian and international maisons, the Vinnaeria by Accademia is a meeting and tasting place in the heart of the prized Collio wine area. Open from Friday to Sunday, you can taste – also paired with cold dishes and platters with local products – a fine selection of wines from Friuli Venezia Giulia as well as labels from renowned wineries from all over the world for which Simonit&Sirch Vine Master Pruners are consultants.

A taste itinerary with wine as the protagonist to tell the common cultural past of Tarquinia and the cities of the Etruscan dodecapolis.

DiVino Etrusco reveals the 46 wineries of the 18th edition, for 90 wines to sip accompanied by the sommeliers of Fisar Viterbo. From 22 to 25 and from 29 to 31 August, the event will give wine enthusiasts the opportunity not only to discover and appreciate true excellence but to have a well-rounded experience of good drinking, and the public to experience evenings dedicated to conviviality and fun, with shows, concerts, exhibitions, literary meetings, cultural, food and wine and entertainment initiatives.

The Tarquinia wineries are Azienda Agricola Anna Elisei, Azienda Agricola Massimo Tosoni, Casale Poggio Nebbia, Etruscaia, Muscari Tomajoli, Podere Giulio, Tenuta Sant’Isidoro, Terre Giorgini, Valle del Marta and Vinaio 98.3. From Bolsena, from the territories of the largest volcanic lake in Europe, come Terre di Semia and Villa Puri; from Vulci come Azienda Agricola Lotti, Cantina Simoncini and La Trusca; for Cerveteri there are Azienda Agricola Lopes, Belardi, Castello di Ceri, Onorati, Tenuta Tre Cancelli and Valle del Canneto; from ancient Veio, Terre del Veio

We leave Lazio to enter Tuscany: from Chiusi come Colle Santa Mustiola, Il Roglio and Nenci; Cortona is represented by Baracchi, Fabrizio Dionisio, Fattoria Cantagallo, Tenute Montecchiesi Dal Cero; for Arezzo there are Buccia Nera, Fattoria di Gratena and Tarazona Miriam; for Piombino there are Podere Nannini, S. Agnese and Torre di Baratti; then Volterra with Agriturismo Il Mulinaccio, MonteRosola and Podere Marcampo. For the “green heart of Italy”, Umbria, there are Perugia with Goretti, and Orvieto, with Arcadia, Argillae, Cantine Neri, Custodi, Decugnano dei Barbi, Palazzone and Tenuta Le Vellette.

For the first time, tickets, in addition to being purchased directly at the box office on the evenings of the event, can be purchased in advance at the link https://eventi.archeoares.it/evento/divino-etrusco/, and then collected with the bag and the glass at the InfoPoint of Barriera San Giusto. For all updates, you can follow the Facebook page “Tarquinia DiVino Etrusco”. DiVino Etrusco is organized by the Municipality of Tarquinia, in collaboration with the Pro loco Tarquinia and MiC – Archaeological Park of Cerveteri and Tarquinia, and with the support of the Lazio Region and Arsial. It has the patronage of the Province of Viterbo, the Chamber of Commerce Rieti Viterbo and the Municipalities of the Etruscan dodecapolis. The festival is organized under the direction of the Enogastronomo with the Cappello Carlo Zucchetti