Alba’s historic center becomes a “wine route” for two Sundays!

The Go Wine Wine Festival returns to Alba again this year! This is the 27th edition of the event, which showcases the most representative wines of the Langa and Roero regions in the city’s historic center .

The double date scheduled for Sunday 21 and Sunday 28 September 2025 has been confirmed.

The initiative, promoted by Go Wine, is a popular event among Italian and international wine enthusiasts. This year’s format will once again allow visitors to explore Piazza Risorgimento (Piazza Duomo), Via Vittorio Emanuele, and Via Cavour, transforming the historic center into a veritable “wine trail” for a day.

The event brings together wineries from the municipalities of Langa and Roero , maintaining its festive character, evoking the time and joyous nature of the grape harvest. Local promotion organizations, wineries, wine shops, and producer associations are also present. For several years, participation has also been extended to wineries from municipalities in the Monferrato area.

The double date scheduled for Sunday 21 and Sunday 28 September 2025 has been confirmed.

The initiative, promoted by Go Wine, is a popular event among Italian and international wine enthusiasts. This year’s format will once again allow visitors to explore Piazza Risorgimento (Piazza Duomo), Via Vittorio Emanuele, and Via Cavour, transforming the historic center into a veritable “wine trail” for a day.

The event brings together wineries from the municipalities of Langa and Roero , maintaining its festive character, evoking the time and joyous nature of the grape harvest. Local promotion organizations, wineries, wine shops, and producer associations are also present. For several years, participation has also been extended to wineries from municipalities in the Monferrato area.

From elegant Barolos to everyday wines, the winery has received accolades across all categories. Barolo DOCG Ravera and Bricco delle Viole were awarded “Cellar Selection” ratings with 98 and 97 points.

Wine Enthusiast, one of the most authoritative American magazines on the international wine scene, awards the wines of GD Vajra and Luigi Baudana scores between 92 and 98 points.

There are two “Cellar Selection” mentions, reserved for the highest profile labels and intended for long aging: the Barolo DOCG Ravera 2021 (98 points) and the Bricco delle Viole 2021 (97 points). Two wines that combine depth, elegance, and longevity, winning over expert tasters as some of the most representative examples of the vintage and positioning themselves at the top of the rankings.

This broad and comprehensive recognition underscores the quality and consistency of the company’s entire production. “Being recognized with such high ratings across the various categories is a source of great pride and satisfaction for us,” comments Aldo Vaira , who leads the company with his wife Milena and children Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro. “Every one of our wines, from Barolo to the labels designed for everyday dining, embodies the same commitment and attention: we believe that each one should sincerely reflect the land from which it comes, regardless of price or prestige. These accolades encourage us to continue along the path of quality and respect for the territory.”

Among the awards given, the “Hidden Gem” mentions also stand out for less usual labels such as Langhe DOC Pinot Nero 2023, NS della Neve Metodo Classico Brut, Claré JC Langhe DOC Nebbiolo 2024, Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2024 and Luigi Baudana Dragon Langhe DOC Bianco 2024. The “Editors’ Choice” selection instead recognized Langhe DOC Nebbiolo 2024, Albe Barolo DOCG 2021 and Dolcetto d’Alba DOC 2024, wines of excellent quality and unique characteristics that deserve special attention.

GD Vajra
GD Vajra is a family-run winery in Barolo, in the heart of the Langhe. Founded in 1972, it was among the first certified organic wineries in Piedmont. The name derives from the ancient spelling of the family name, starting with a “j.” The acronym “GD” preceding it is Aldo Vaira’s thanks to his father, Giuseppe Domenico, for giving him the first vineyards in Bricco delle Viole, today cultivated and shared with his wife Milena and children Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro. For the Vaira family, everything is about careful observation and selection, craftsmanship, attention to detail, and uniqueness.
GD Vajra is currently the only Italian company member of the Union des Gens de Métier , an association founded at the end of the last century that brings together 23 unique producers, connected to the world of fermentation and united by passion, curiosity, a natural approach to culture and the environment, but above all by friendship. Among them are Eric Bordelet, Alex Croquet, and Véronique Cochran.

FROM THE MOST PRECIOUS LABELS TO SPIRITS IN PADUA THE FIFTH EDITION OF WINE NEXT THE B2B SHOWCASE DEDICATED TO THE WORLD OF WINE OPENS TO THE PUBLIC FOR GUIDED TASTINGS.

Alberto Capuzzo, financial director of Padova Hall: “Padua has always been a city of wine enthusiasts, and this year the fair opens itself even more to the city, offering the public access, wine tasting, and the opportunity to discover the best of Italian and international winemaking.” The program includes four masterclasses and an exclusive area dedicated to the rarest and most valuable wines.

A unique showcase dedicated to the world of wine, created with the aim of encouraging matching and direct meetings between restaurateurs and producers of quality labels. Wine Next , the fifth edition of the B2B event reserved for operators in the Ho.re.ca. sector, is back at the Padua Fair from Saturday 20th to Monday 22nd September . With a brand new feature for this 2025 edition: the first two days of the weekend will be open to the consumer public , while Monday will be reserved for professionals.

Following the success of 2024, Wine Next this year will feature more than 100 exhibitors and 750 labels —in a space spanning over 3,000 square meters—including many leading names in the Italian and international wine scene. On Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st, visitors will be accompanied by AIS Veneto sommeliers in a tasting experience divided into 20 geographical areas, featuring wines from all Italian regions and producers from abroad, with a focus on France (information and tickets are available at www.wine-next.it ).

This year’s new features include four in-depth masterclasses on diverse topics and a ” Wine Experience ” area, an exclusive exhibition space dedicated to the rarest and most valuable wines, with a wide selection including Amarones, Brunellos di Montalcino, Barolos, and Barbarescos. The event is promoted by wine and spirits sales representatives in the province of Padua in collaboration with Padova Hall and in partnership with Dolomia, Rastal, and AIS Veneto.

“Wine Next is not only an opportunity for business, but also for professionals to exchange ideas and learn about new trends in the world of wine and spirits,” says Alberto Capuzzo , financial director of Padova Hall. “Padua has always been a city of wine enthusiasts, and this edition of the fair opens up even more to the city, offering the public access to, tasting wines, and discovering the best of Italian and international winemaking.”

“The event continues to grow year after year, and the number of exhibitors and labels present confirms this,” comment Alessandro De Salvia and Fabio Temporin , creators and organizers of Wine Next. “The event confirms its position as a unique opportunity for business matching and training for industry professionals. This year, in response to the strong demand we’ve received, alongside the business section there will be a consumer section that will allow visitors to learn about and taste a selection of top-quality wines.”

The event will be divided into two thematic areas: Wine and Spirits. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a program of masterclasses for professionals , organized in collaboration with AIS Veneto, to expand their knowledge of various types of wine, food and wine pairings, and service techniques. The goal is to improve the perceived quality of wine for customers, making the dining experience more complete and sophisticated.

Wine Next masterclasses

The first masterclass will be dedicated to ” North vs. South: White Wines Compared – Alpine Elegance and Mediterranean Warmth ,” a comparison that brings together two opposing yet complementary souls: the vertical freshness of mountain whites and the sunny richness of Mediterranean grape varieties. The second, ” Volcanic Sips – Discovering Wines Born from the Fire of the Earth ,” will be a journey from the slopes of Etna to the Euganean Hills, from the basaltic soils of Soave to the mineral soils of

Gambellara, where the volcano takes center stage. The third masterclass is dedicated to ” Rosé, a style that captivates – Between elegance and versatility .” Finally, a journey highlighting iconic labels, capable of recounting the roots and evolution of Italy’s great wine regions, with the masterclass ” Signature wines: signatures of tradition – The identity of Italy’s great territories .”

Italian wineries (news, strategies, mergers, events).

Today’s Italian wine news:

• Vinòforum 2025 was held in Rome from September 8th to 14th, with more than 800 wineries and 40 restaurants present, a sign that the sector maintains spaces for visibility and dialogue with the public and the restaurant industry.
• 2025 harvest: in many areas (Chianti, Valpolicella, Valle d’Aosta, Colli Euganei, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene) the grape quality is particularly good, with good acidity and freshness, but uncertainties related to the market and duties continue to create uncertainty.
• Tasca d’Almerita has been registered in the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest, strengthening its heritage, identity, and historic brand value.
• Some leading wineries maintain strong export positions: for example, companies like Fantini Group, Ruffino, among the most exposed to foreign markets, a sign that those with already international structures continue to play an advantage.

Italian wines (new labels, awards, trends)

• Sparkling wines: confirmation of the growth trend in value for bubbles, considered among the most resilient segments.
• Prosecco / Venezie / Veneto: The Veneto region confirmed its leadership in exports in the first half of 2025, with a 1.5% increase in value compared to the first half of 2024, despite an overall slight decline.
• There’s a growing focus on quality, territory, and local identity as competitive levers: several reports have made it clear that simply having good grapes isn’t enough; you need storytelling, distinctiveness, a strong brand, and sustainability.

Italian wine trends (exports, consumption, economic data)

• Exports for the first half of 2025 : valued at around €3.867 billion , almost stable compared to the same period in 2024 (-0.47%) but with a drop in volumes of around -3.1%. Veneto, Tuscany, and Piedmont account for approximately 66.6% of total exports.
• Domestic consumption remains under pressure: even though the harvest looks set to be high-quality, domestic consumption continues to decline, partly due to changes in habits and partly due to price perceptions/economic factors.
• Forecasts among major producers: despite the current difficulties, there is moderate optimism for 2025, with expectations of growth in overall sales (1.7%), increasing exports (2%), and sparkling wines performing better than still wines.
• Italy’s trade balance as of July 2025: surplus of ~7.9 billion euros, with exports growing 7.3% year-over-year; the agri-food sector, including beverages, contributes 6.1%. This positive macroeconomic environment can provide a boost to the wine sector if well-integrated into corporate strategies.

Final summary

The Italian wine sector is experiencing a period of unstable equilibrium : production quality is high, historic wineries and those already oriented towards exports maintain a good position, but there are headwinds to contend with—declining volumes, declining domestic consumption, tariffs, and instability in foreign markets.

For the entrepreneurs I assist as an advisor:

• it is essential to consolidate the brand identity and focus on premiumization;
• diversify foreign markets (not just traditional ones), mitigate geopolitical and tariff risks;
• control costs (production, logistics, marketing) and innovate in sustainability and communication;
• using events, certifications, and storytelling as operational, not just decorative, tools.

I remain available to prepare an international comparison tomorrow (e.g., France/Spain) or forecast scenarios for 2026-2027 relevant to acquisition or positioning strategies.