The traditional event, now in its 19th edition, will take place on Sunday, November 17 at the municipal sports hall. Wine tastings (red and rosé) from over 50 wineries from various production areas, from all over the region. An interesting Masterclass is scheduled, with speakers of national caliber, and various collateral initiatives, starting from Friday 15. Restaurants and bars are also involved.

In a period rich, both at a national and regional level, in events related to food and wine and the promotion of typical products, Granaccia & Rossi di Liguria undoubtedly stands out, the now traditional event that Quiliano (Sv) dedicates to Ligurian wines (red and rosé), now in its 19th edition , scheduled for Sunday 17 November at the municipal sports hall in Piazza della Costituzione. For enthusiasts and professionals, this is a unique opportunity to taste, at the various stations set up inside the large location, wines from over 50 wineries , guided by the producers themselves and by Fisar sommeliers. At the tasting tables, operational for the entire afternoon, all the DOC and IGT denominations of all the production areas, from the West to the far East , and other particular labels will be available. The increase in registrations (about 50% more than the last edition) confirms the interest of companies in the annual event, organized by the business network Vite in Riviera and the Municipality of Quiliano, with the participation of the Liguria Region . As usual, there will be an important moment of technical study, by invitation. In the morning, the Masterclass ” Rossi di Liguria: Mediterranean, heroic, rare and with great potential ” will be held. On this occasion, alongside the Ligurian expert Jacopo Fanciulli , brand ambassador of Vite in Riviera, to take stock of the positioning of Ligurian wines in the national panorama, there will be the managers of some of the most important Italian guides , including Gianni Fabrizio , curator of Vini d’Italia del Gambero Rosso and Jonathan Gebser , vice curator of Slow Wine . Mario Busso , curator of the guide Vini Buoni d’Italia , is also expected to be present during the day.

“Granaccia & Rossi di Liguria 2024 once again sees the City of Quiliano in the role of ambassador of our excellence, thanks also to the presence of producers, Fisar sommeliers, the expert Jacopo Fanciulli and some curators among the most important guides in the sector – says Massimo Enrico , president of Vite in Riviera -. An event, now in its nineteenth edition, that knows how to propose and renew itself thanks to the ideas of our network, always focusing on the very high quality of our products: the great red DOC and IGT wines from all over Liguria, each with its own facets and peculiarities, will express an authentic storytelling of the territory, becoming a vector of territorial marketing in a kermesse of clear interest”. The number of operators involved is also growing. To promote Granaccia , restaurants in the province of Savona and throughout Liguria will be asked to propose, in the month of November , a dish or menu to pair with this prestigious grape variety, one of the most widespread in the world (known in Italy as Cannonau in Sardinia, Alicante in Tuscany, Tai Rosso in Veneto, Trasimeno Gamay in Umbria). In addition, some bars in the area will offer special themed aperitifs on the evening of Saturday 16th. Among the collateral initiatives , there will also be a Celtic music concert on Friday evening, and a guided tour, with the collaboration of FAI volunteers, of Villa Maria , an imposing building – surrounded by a lush garden – owned by the Municipality of Quiliano, built in 1875 and recently reopened after a major renovation.

“Also this year Quiliano hosts the prestigious Granaccia & Rossi di Liguria event, now in its nineteenth edition. I remember the first ones well, at the beginning of the new century. The goal back then – says Mayor Nicola Isetta – was to promote, in a land of whites, niche red wines, each linked to their respective territories. Today we have gone much further: red wines have now become an important and significant reality of the wine production of our region. The City of Quiliano is pleased to once again be the ambassador of Ligurian excellence, also thanks to the fundamental partnership with Vite in Riviera, a company committed to the promotion and enhancement of typical products of the west. We have confirmed the welcoming location of the Palasport, which will be set up with the qualified collaboration of Polisportiva Quiliano, in a crescendo of events that will cover the entire weekend, also involving Quiliano operators”.

The afternoon program of Sunday 17th will be enriched by the presentations of the De.Co. of Quiliano and some themed books, including “Un mare nel Roero” (Trenta Editore), edited by the author Flavio Costa , chef (originally from Savona) of the restaurant 21.9 of Piobesi d’Alba (Cn), 1 Michelin Star. Entrance to the free tasting stands will be paid (25 euros, including glass and pocket), with a reduction for some categories of professionals (sommeliers, restaurateurs), upon registration.

Further information will be available on the website www.viteinriviera.it .

The event that brings together the best Classic Method sparkling wines from Lombardy returns to Villa Mirra in Cavriana (MN).

In Lombardy, from Mantua to Bergamo, from Brescia to Milan, passing through Lecco, Pavia, Sondrio and Varese, there is an entire region of sparkling wines to discover. Giving voice to these productions will be Colline in Bolle – Rassegna dei Migliori Metodo Classico di Lombardia , which after the great success of the first edition will return to animate, on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October , the spaces of Villa Mirra in Cavriana (MN ).

The choice of Villa Mirra, a highly representative place in the heart of the Garda Colli Mantovani DOC denominations, is not accidental. In fact, the Mantua area boasts a long tradition of Classic Method, a heritage to be protected and enhanced. This is the location chosen by La Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Mantovani and ONAV Lombardia , who return to collaborate with the common goal of exalting the identity wines of all of Lombardy.

The event will see the participation of over 50 wineries from the provinces of Pavia, Brescia, Bergamo, Mantua, Lecco, Varese and Sondrio, offering a complete overview of Lombardy’s “bubbles”. The denominations Oltrepò Pavese DOCG, Garda DOC, Lugana DOP, Alpi Retiche IGT, Terre Lariane IGT, Terre del Colleoni DOC and Franciacorta DOCG will be the protagonists.

In addition to the area set up with producers’ tasting stands, the public will be able to participate in two exclusive Tasting Experiences . The first, scheduled for Saturday 26 October at 5:00 pm , will see the pairing of Metodo Classico and Grana Padano dei Prati Stabili Selezione da Fieno , curated by Daniela Guiducci and Latteria San Pietro. In this tasting, the aging of Grana Padano of 24 months and over 30 months will be presented. The second experience, scheduled for Sunday 27 October at 4:00 pm , will propose the pairing of Metodo Classico and caviar , again led by Daniela Guiducci in collaboration with Cru Caviar .

A crucial moment of the event will be the Conference “Metodo Classico and Grana Padano – two Lombard excellences” , which will be held on Saturday 26 October at 4:00 pm in the Sala Civica of Cavriana. The conference will celebrate the union between Grana Padano and Metodo Classico of Lombardy, two emblematic products that represent the excellence and food and wine tradition of the area. Among the prominent speakers are Stefano Pezzini, President of Latteria San Pietro – Grana Padano, Giovanna Prandini, President of Ascovilo, the Mayor of Cavriana Matteo Guardini and the President of the Strada dei vini e sapori mantovani Gianni Boselli.

Federico Patera , Director of La Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Mantovani, expresses his enthusiasm: <>.

Paola Ghisi , delegate of ONAV Mantua, adds: <>.

Hills in Bubbles

Villa Mirra, Cavriana (MN) – Saturday 26 October from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Sunday 27 October from 2:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Costs: €18 full ticket; €12 reduced ticket (ONAV, AIS, FISAR, FIS, ASPI, WSET members)

Cantina Pighin, an exemplary structure of modern architecture applied to the wine sector, designed by the renowned architect Gino Valle.

The Pighin Winery, located a few kilometers from the city of Udine, is an extraordinary example of modern architecture applied to the wine sector, designed in 1966 and built in 1967 by the renowned architect Gino Valle . Valle, who passed away in 2003, left an indelible mark on the architectural panorama of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the Pighin Winery is one of his most emblematic masterpieces. “ Gino Valle demonstrated extraordinary vision in designing a winery that not only responded to the functional needs of our company, but which also fit in with farsightedness into the agricultural landscape, becoming an architectural point of reference for our region ,” says Roberto Pighin, owner of the company. The Pighin winery, founded in 1963 , is today divided into two independent wineries: one in the Friuli Grave DOC area, with 160 hectares of vineyards, and the other in the Collio Goriziano, with a 30-hectare estate. The Risano headquarters is the beating heart of the company, where the management and the modern cellar designed by Valle are located. The structure is composed of two large parallel buildings intended respectively as a cellar and a warehouse, connected by a covered gallery and annexed to an office block. The choice of materials and technical solutions adopted , such as metal portals and prefabricated panels in pre-stressed reinforced concrete, reflect advanced research into prefabrication and the image of the industrial building. The cellar is located along the provincial road in an agricultural area, a context that Valle has been able to enhance through an architecture that dialogues with the surrounding environment. The continuity of the facade panels, framed at the corners of the load-bearing structure, reinforces the elementarity of the volumes and gives the building a monumental appearance but at the same time integrated into the landscape. The choice to use a 120 cm module for the structure and the infill was dictated by criteria of efficiency and functionality , but also by a coherent and innovative aesthetic vision . The history and evolution of the Pighin company, from its foundation to today, testify to a constant commitment to the pursuit of quality and innovation, values that still find expression today in Valle’s winery. “ Our goal has always been to honor the winemaking tradition of Friuli-Venezia Giulia with an innovative and high-quality approach. Over time, we have made significant investments and made improvements to the structure to keep up with the times. However, Gino Valle ‘s original vision has continually demonstrated its extraordinary foresight. Through his winery, Valle has shown us how architecture can serve and celebrate the art of winemaking, creating an indissoluble bond between functionality and beauty that continues to inspire us every day ,” concludes Roberto Pighin.

Garda Doc wines and Dop products in a fusion of flavours in the name of European quality.

The 2024 harvest in the territories protected by the Garda DOC denomination is proving to be a particularly interesting year, characterized by a limited production but of superior quality. Despite a lower yield than in previous years due to unfavorable weather conditions, the grapes, especially Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, show high-level quality parameters , reflecting the uniqueness of the Lake Garda area, known for its favorable microclimate and soil diversity. Spring rains supported the vegetation in dry periods, ensuring the necessary hydration during the summer heat waves, which in turn favored ideal ripening. These varieties, capable of expressing the qualities of the terroir, stand out this year for their balanced acidity and optimal pH, promising wines of remarkable elegance and freshness. The vines, in good health conditions, demonstrate the resilience of the Garda area even in difficult years. The Garda DOC Consortium, therefore, anticipates that this year’s wines will convey the excellence of the territory , consolidating the prominent role of this area in the national and international wine scene. The European campaign ” DOP Excellence: an all-European savoir-faire ” fits into this context of quality and tradition, celebrating products with a protected designation of origin, including Garda DOC, in a synergy that enhances the continent’s agricultural and food heritage. The harmony between Garda DOC wines and other products of the countryside, such as Salame di Varzi DOP, Prosciutto Crudo di Cuneo DOP and Montasio DOP cheese, offers an opportunity to explore gastronomic pairings that reflect the richness and diversity of European excellence. In fact, Garda DOC Chardonnay , with its lively minerality and fruity notes, pairs splendidly with Montasio DOP cheese , especially in its fresher versions, where the creaminess of the cheese meets the freshness of the wine in a delicately balanced dialogue of flavors. Similarly, Pinot Grigio Garda DOC , known for its elegance and freshness, enhances the characteristics of Prosciutto Crudo di Cuneo DOP , especially the more mature versions, creating a taste contrast that enhances the intrinsic sweetness of the ham. Not to mention the combination with Salame di Varzi DOP , where the structure of the salami merges with the softness of the wines, offering a sensory experience that celebrates the diversity and quality of DOP products. Through these products, the campaign “DOP Excellence: an all-European savoir-faire” not only emphasizes the importance of the protected designation of origin, but also invites a rediscovery of the authentic flavors and culinary traditions that define the European cultural heritage, underlining how Garda DOC wines can be protagonists in the valorization of a timeless gastronomic legacy.