Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
BWW 2025: Italy Leads the Way Among the World’s Best Wineries At the BWW 2025 – Best Wine of the World Competition , Italy confirms its global influence, with iconic wineries such as Gaja, Ornellaia, Monteverro, GB Burlotto, and Marchesi Antinori among the most voted. Monteverro also wins the title of Best New Winery of the Year . Among the award-winning wines, Masseto 2020 (Platinum) stands out, while among the Gold wines, Sassicaia 2021, Solaia 2020, Barolo Sperss 2018, and Monteverro 2019. This result is based on over 3.3 million votes cast by 449,000 professionals from 129 countries.
Elisa Dilavanzo and Maeli: Moscato among the top 100 wines. Colli Euganei producer Elisa Dilavanzo has named Maeli wines among the top 100 in the 2026 Vitae Guide. A journey studded with international recognition that highlights Moscato Giallo as an expression of the region’s identity.
Mourning in the wine world: farewell to Chicco Riccardi. Chicco Riccardi, the historic owner of Nettare dei Santi di San Colombano, has passed away at the age of 86. Under his leadership, the company grew to a production of approximately one million bottles, becoming a benchmark in the area.
Colonnella bids farewell to Umberto Camaioni. Umberto Camaioni, one of the founders of the Colonnella Social Winery (now Cantina Colonnella), has passed away at the age of 92. He was a key figure in the development of the Val Vibrata winemaking sector.
Donegato Winery: new winery in Montiano . The Berretti brothers’ Donegato Winery opens. A contemporary project that connects wine and the Romagna region, with a new facility featuring a tasting room.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Europe’s wine industry: uproot or evolve? The structural decline in consumption (-35% since 2000) and continued overproduction present the European industry with a strategic choice. EU plans appear defensive, while the global market for 2025 is set to hit an all-time low of 214 million hectoliters.
Alcohol-Free Wines: Interministerial Decree Approves Green Light. With the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF)–Masaf (Masaf) decree, Italy officially opens the door to the production of alcohol-free wines. Companies can now compete on equal terms with other European countries, albeit with the exclusion of DOC, DOCG, and IGT designations.
Alcohol-free wines: an industrial opportunity and a key identity issue. Investments are growing, especially in the Northeast, but the Consortia reiterate their position: no alcohol-free wines under historic appellations. The debate between market innovation and value preservation remains open.
2025 Harvest in Valtellina: Positive Signs The year promises to be favorable thanks to an overall balanced climate, with good-quality grapes and regular ripening.
Tuscany tops the Go Wine 2026 Guide The region leads the ranking with 56 Impronte d’Eccellenza out of over 900 selected wineries, confirming its leadership in Italian wine tourism.
Agricultural Taxation: Focus on the Special VAT Regime The special VAT regime for agriculture, established by Directive 2006/112/EC and implemented in Italy, remains a key tool for the flat-rate compensation of input tax for agricultural producers.
Agricultural land: changing value landscape. In 2024, the average value of agricultural land in Italy will rise to €22,400/hectare. The Northeast leads the ranking, while the data signals a reversal from years of stagnation.
Agriculture and Education: Cotarella’s Proposal Riccardo Cotarella (Assoenologi) proposes a weekly agriculture lesson in primary schools to reconnect younger generations with the land and its productive culture.
Agriculture in the Marche region: red wine in difficulty. The Cia Marche is calling for more effective policies to support the sector, given market challenges, limited resources, and companies’ need for liquidity.
International
The 12 Grapes of New Year in Spain: History and Myth The tradition of the “12 Grapes of Good Luck” has roots dating back to the late 19th century, well before the famous reconstruction linked to the production surplus of 1909.
Back to February 2025: Wine and the European Union The international news story highlights the weight of EU policies on labeling, health, and communication, with strong concerns about the economic impact on the sector.
Wine in 300 strokes: Crémant de Bourgogne Pierre Bleue Focus on a French Extra-Brut sparkling wine from the Grand Chais de France group: freshness, citrus notes and a dynamic drinkability.
Wine events
From Grandi Langhe to Amarone Opera Prima The 2026 calendar promises to be packed: from Turin to Verona, passing through Bologna, with events such as Grandi Langhe, Salone del Vino, Amarone Opera Prima, Slow Wine Fair and Fieragricola.
The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Pieve” project in Milan. Official presentation of the project with a press conference and guided tasting, to explain the origins and future of the historic zoning.
Christmas in the Cellar and Nativity Scenes in the Village of Tuglie. Until January 6th, events will take place at wineries, courtyards, and oil mills in Salento, with free admission and guided tours.
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