Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
From the hills of Casciago: the story of Roberto and “Emotion Green” (Chardonnay and Classic Method). A project born from passion outside the area (between Lake Varese and Sacromonte): 4,000 Chardonnay vines and a clear focus on Classic Method sparkling wine. A case study of agricultural micro-entrepreneurship building expertise, a technical network, and an identity.
San Felice (Chianti Classico) enters the vermouth market: a limited edition and partnership with Bordiga (Cuneo). Tenuta San Felice launches its first artisanal red vermouth (1,700 bottles), a bridge between Tuscan wine and the Piedmontese vermouth tradition. A clear signal: premiumization and spirits-adjacent diversification as a positioning lever.
Celli Winery (Bertinoro): Albana and Sangiovese cited by Wine Enthusiast. International recognition: the 2022 “Grillaie Bertinoro Sangiovese” Romagna DOC receives 93 points and a “Hidden Gem” mention. Excellent export driver and storytelling for appellations with excellent value.
Canevel and the “Setàge Protocol”: Prosecco Superiore between supply chain and slow sparkling wine production. Corporate and stylistic profile: integrated supply chain, synergy with the Masi Group, and a focus on fine, persistent bubbles. Distribution in 40 countries and a 40% export share: a concrete example of consistent “territory-method” positioning.
Underwater aging at Lake Nemi: the red “Caligola” along with 14 other labels. The Castelli Romani “underwater cellar” is expanding: an experiment that combines historical and cultural storytelling with process innovation. Excellent for wine tourism and special editions with high perceived value.
Bold: the high-altitude vineyard linked to the vision of Franz Haas. A story of contemporary viticulture in extreme conditions and “climate challenges”: the mountain as a qualitative and identity-building (as well as communicative) laboratory.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG: from subsistence viticulture to global success. Focus on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rive, and the “heroic” nature of Glera, with contributions from producers and the consortium. A useful piece to emphasize the difference between a “sparkling commodity” and a highly recognizable designation.
CMO Wine – Sicily: Final ranking for vineyard restructuring/conversion 2025-2026. Strategic measure for competitiveness: incentives for mechanization, efficiency, aggregation, and quality. Important signal: those who invest in structure and costs/ha today are protected tomorrow.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Not all wine improves with age: what to really keep (even whites and sparkling wines). Myth-busting message: aging doesn’t “save” a mediocre wine. Practical pre-holiday tip: choose bottles with structure, acidity, balance, and a style designed to evolve; the rest… you can drink with joy and without regret.
Franciacorta under €20: two top choices according to Gambero Rosso (BereBene 2026). A “value for money” selection in the Metodo Classico: evidence that the affordable price range can still offer quality and recognition. Excellent choice for wine shops and smart shelf space.
Perfect wines for the holiday table: sharing menus and pairings. A conviviality-focused approach: a “big” bottle makes sense when it becomes a shared experience. An evergreen for Christmas/New Year’s Eve.
Italians often drink Champagne poorly: a mini-guide to drinking it (well). Cultural point: Champagne isn’t just a “toast,” but a gastronomic wine. Key: understand style/dosage/structure and choose the right moment at the table. Also useful for restaurants and wine pairing.
Mechanized vineyard planting: technologies and operational choices. Technical approach: mechanization as a response to labor, soil conditions, and economic sustainability. A hot topic for those who need to reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
Heroic agriculture: three examples beyond income (Mombarone, Vallecorsa, Amalfi). Terraces and extreme territories as “cultural and environmental infrastructure”: slope protection, biodiversity, identity. Strategic value for “origin-driven” products and tourism.
A thousand-year-old oriental grape variety planted outside Florence by a Japanese sommelier. A story of cultural contamination and experimentation: micro-projects that generate media attention and differentiation (even if not always scalable).
When wine heals wounds: Virzì’s film offers a rebirth inspired by Augusta Bargilli. Wine as a social and human narrative: content that speaks to a wider audience, not just experts. Interesting for its communication and value-based brand storytelling.
“Did agriculture arise because we wanted to drink more beer?” Popularization and history: a scientific and cultural provocation on the origins of agriculture and the role of fermented beverages. Engaging content for the web and social media.
A wine shop burglary in Genoa: a bottle worth over €1,600 stolen. News reports highlight the importance of security in retail outlets and the management of high-value products (display windows, traceability, procedures).
International
Italian sparkling wine exports stable: €1.67 billion in September 2025 (-0.5%), volumes growing (2.19%). Sparkling wines remain the “lifeline” of exports: volumes up, average prices under pressure. The US remains stable (€402.4 million; volumes up 2.8%). Operational advice: protect value with positioning and mix, without chasing just the liter.
Europe at a turning point: declining wine consumption and grubbing-up policies. Harsh scenario: EU consumption -35% since 2000, global historic low estimated at the end of 2025. Measures such as grubbing-up (France: €130 million, €4,000/ha) attempt to rebalance supply/demand, but do not resolve the entire structural imbalance.
France: Protests over the wine crisis (Bordeaux and Orange). Social and identity tensions in the supply chain: symbolic protests (Cité du Vin) and mobilizations by students and producers. A sign of real economic pressure and conflict over the “promotion vs. survival” narrative.
Champagne: “Better Together,” a report on impact and social responsibility (Champagne Committee). A supply chain that structures a shared vision of economic, environmental, and social sustainability, with significant numbers (winemakers, maisons, cooperatives). A useful topic also for Italian consortia: governance and measurable objectives.
Wine events
Tropea – IIS “P. Galluppi”: Masterclass on bubbles (Champagne, Prosecco, sparkling wines) Training and technical culture for future HoReCa operators: perfect content for the region and school, and for developing “dining room” skills that make the difference in perceived value.
Villa Sandi Prosecco at the UN Gala in New York: International visibility and the topic of tariffs. A “political-cultural” toast at a high-profile event (with an Italian menu and institutional guests): Prosecco as a global symbol. Background note: US tariffs/duties remain a critical variable, but the strength of the brand and the category holds up.
Regulatory note and system
New “Wine Package” (published in the Official Journal in February 2026): consortia more central to governance. Expected measure: strengthening the role of protection consortia (not just oversight/promotion, but also sector governance). This is a strategic issue for production, territory, planning, and promotion in a complex market environment.
Grants for young farmers: up to €40,000 in non-repayable grants, application deadline: February 9, 2026. Generational turnover measures with lump-sum payments without reporting: a concrete lever for new plantings, takeovers, and initial investments.
2025/2026 Trends (Vinarius): Fewer bottles, higher quality; whites and sparkling wines on the rise. Wine shop network data: volumes declining, value rising; premium wines more resilient, low-end wines more fragile. The trend is confirmed: freshness, lightness, and Metodo Classico are prominent; classic reds are stable but more selective.
QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor Where value isn’t talked about: it’s demonstrated. In wine (and mineral water), there’s no room for improvisation: we guide complex operations—acquisitions, divestments, expansions, and investments—with vision, method, and direction right through to closing.
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