Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
Damilano Group acquires Morra and aims to reach €120 million in revenue by 2025. The Group acquires Morra, a Piedmontese beverage distribution player (Ho.Re.Ca. channel). This transaction is consistent with an industrial growth strategy and marks the first step toward potential future acquisitions in the mineral water, wine, and retail sectors .
Settecani: Growing revenues and foreign markets for the 130-member cooperative winery. Positive results despite stagnant consumption: 8.7% revenue (approximately €6.75 million ), 18.7% grape deliveries , and member remuneration above €50/q, confirming a path of strategic and structural choices.
Tre Secoli Winery: DOCG excellence that speaks the Asti dialect Awards that enhance Piedmontese cooperation: Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Sorangela” 2022 in the Top 300 and Corona d’Oro (Vini Buoni d’Italia 2026), as well as an international award for the Asti DOCG Extra Dry (Falstaff).
Cantina Santa Lucia: Argentario in a glass between sea, vineyards, and Morellino. A story of territory and identity: historical origins, coastal vineyards, and a focus on Ansonica/Vermentino and Sangiovese reds, with an increasingly recognizable “Maremma-Argentario” profile.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Green light for dealcoholized wines produced in Italy: inter-ministerial decree signed (MEF–MASAF). The fiscal/excise framework regulating the production and, above all, the management/taxation of alcohol obtained from dealcoholization processes has been approved: a step eagerly awaited by companies already ready to invest in the No/Lo segment, driven by growth in foreign markets.
Lollobrigida: “A clear regulatory framework, new opportunities for businesses.” The Minister emphasizes the goal of enabling the sector to compete in the dealcoholized sector as well, with an initial phase in which procedures and authorizations will be crucial.
Decree on Dealcohols: What It Means Operationally The measure regulates the authorizations and management of ethyl alcohol derived from alcohol, distinguishing between operators with annual quantitative limits and operators authorized to exceed certain thresholds with a specific license.
Frescobaldi (UIV): “Now we have equal competitiveness with Europe, investments are finally protected.” The UIV president emphasizes that the decree unlocks investments already made in the winery and eliminates the need to resort to foreign processing for dealcoholization.
Castelletti (UIV): “Good news after a challenging year, support is needed for implementation.” Attention must be paid to the implementation phase: licensing, authorizations, and system deployment will be the real test of transforming the regulation into an industrial opportunity.
Fine winemaking: the logic of limited editions between collection and investment. Focus on the phenomenon of limited editions: bottles as collector’s items and auction assets, where exclusivity, storytelling, and rarity become part of the value.
Lazio: Must-See Wines and Wineries Just a Stone’s Throw from Rome. Overview of a “constellation” region: a diverse identity, many micro-regions, and signs of qualitative growth (even in the guides), with stronger denominations and key grape varieties than in the past.
Consorzio Italia del Vino: the key words for 2026. From the top management of a group that represents a significant share of exports, guiding concepts emerge: stability, resilience, experimentation, beauty , and the need to manage the complexity between markets and positioning.
Kiwifruit die-off: defense strategies and new rootstocks (Piedmont) A technical and agronomic update on the kiwifruit crisis: soil/water management, climate-controlled irrigation, shade nets, and rootstocks; the figures show a significant reduction in production areas.
FORBUS: When Quality Is No Longer Enough (Partner Content) Scenario message: Quality is a prerequisite, making a difference through management of markets, costs, inventory, channels, wine tourism, digital, and new categories (low/no). Declared approach: not consultancy, but execution with integrated management. Operational insight: tools such as management leases/business units (5–7 years) and joint ventures/NewCos to share investments and open markets (e.g., alcohol-free), as well as models for making wine tourism profitable even on weekends.
International
Alcohol-dealt products and the foreign market: a rapidly growing segment. The Italian green light comes amid accelerating international demand for non-alcoholic beverages : the game is now being played on industrialization, perceived quality, and distribution channels.
Highly collectible: the global benchmark for “auction” bottles The phenomenon of rare editions is interpreted internationally: price and desirability are built on reputation, scarcity and storytelling (continuously compared with the global tops).
Wine events
UMBRIA TOP announces its presence at Vinitaly 2026 (Verona, 12–15 April 2026) Dedicated pavilion and cohesive regional project: around 40 companies already confirmed, with a program of tastings, insights and professional meetings for cultural, wine tourism and commercial boost.
Go Wine: “Cantine d’Italia 2026” and awards in Milan. A new edition of the wine tourist guide features a broad national selection, a focus on “signatures of excellence” and useful addresses; highlights for some Piacenza-area businesses and awards for hospitality.
Antica Bottega del Vino opens in Cortina d’Ampezzo, an extension of the historic brand and venue: the opening was announced on December 30th, not as a simple pop-up, but as a new structural milestone in a strategic destination, also with a view to 2026.
AIS Padova: “Let’s Raise Our Glasses” (end-of-year dinner and sharing) A story of community and wine culture: a convivial event with tastings and artistic moments, celebrating the association’s year and the relational value of wine.
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Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
In Salento, a historic winery produces Italy’s best rosé for under €20. Puglia confirms the stylistic maturity of its rosés: territorial identity, targeted winemaking choices, and the centrality of Negroamaro give life to wines that are no longer “derivatives,” but rather a distinct and recognizable category.
Alta Langa DOCG, a year of leadership: 2025 report and 2026 calendar. The Consortium closes out 2025 with growth and visibility, including the launch of the Alta Langa Academy, participation in the Slow Wine Fair, and a record-breaking “Prima dell’Alta Langa” in Turin with 82 producers and over 20,000 toasts.
The Md cellar is among the best in Italian discount stores. The Md store on Via Pecchio in Milan stands out for its solid and well-structured wine department, enhanced by the house brand Enotrium, a rare example of winemaking identity in the world of discount stores.
Ert1050, the mountain bubbles project by Federico Veronesi A new project dedicated to Trentodoc Metodo Classico is born in Trentino: high-altitude viticulture, sustainability, and a “vertical” interpretation of the mountain at 1,050 meters on Monte Baldo.
The common thread that unites Dosimo to the Ferrari cellars of Trento. A historical tale reveals the connections between Giulio Ferrari and the Vini Ferrari cellars of Dosimo, intertwining the Cremona and Trentino regions in a little-known story of Italian wine.
The Ascheri Classic Method becomes “Metodo Classico 8pari”. The Bra winery structurally links one of its labels to a social inclusion project, making a permanent job placement program for people with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
Le Pievi: the new story of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The “Pieve” typology, 2021 vintage, debuts on the market: an identity-defining, mid-to-high-end interpretation that strengthens the connection between wine, history, and the territory of the Tuscan denomination.
Leaving London for (alcohol-free) wine Eleonora Spadotto’s story tells the story of her transition from international finance to an innovative winemaking project in Friuli, focusing on dealcohol-free wines and a new idea of contemporary rurality.
Dante’s Vernaccia wins legal battle with Spain. Intellectual property protection for Vernaccia di San Gimignano: a European ruling blocks the improper use of a trademark evocative of the Divine Comedy.
Tollo, political clash over municipal budget. The opposition is challenging the soundness of the 2026–2028 budget, denouncing waste and management issues: an issue that also indirectly affects the local economy.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
The ALTO wine list: over 1,000 labels by the glass. A rare approach in Italy: great Italian and international wines available consistently by the glass, with unprecedented accessibility even for iconic labels.
New Year’s Eve 2025: How to Choose the Right Wine for a Toast Light, crisp bubbles are best: Alta Langa Metodo Classico, Erbaluce Spumante, and Gavi Spumante are reliable options for a light, convivial toast.
Interview with winemaker Andrea Pala During the fourth edition of Vinodabere Sardinia, the story of a winemaking talent who follows some of the island’s most interesting realities.
International
Germany: Unprecedented crisis for wine producers. Selling prices below production costs, US tariffs, and rising minimum wages are putting vineyard acreage at risk, especially in sloping vineyards.
France: €130 million for vineyard uprooting. The government launches a support plan to reduce production potential: €4,000 per hectare and a structural response to the crisis in the European wine market.
Visit Markogianni Winery in the Peloponnese. A Greek family-run business that has focused on the recovery of native grape varieties and innovative production models, with results recognized by the market.
Nomisma Wine Monitor: Wine imports in 2025: Value growth in Germany, Switzerland, and Brazil; sharp declines in China, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Canada and Brazil stand out as the most dynamic markets for Italian wine.
Wine events
Spirito Autoctono 2026: Italy’s artisanal spirits. The new guide lists over 900 labels and 200 producers, describing a sector in full evolution between tradition and experimentation.
The Gallura Award toasts aboard the Moby Fantasy. A symbolic ceremony uniting wine, territory, and economic development, confirming the award’s role as an incubator for new winemaking ventures.
Pietrabbondante DiVino 2025: Christmas Cellars and ‘Ndoccia In the heart of Alto Molise, an event that intertwines wine, gastronomy, and popular traditions, transforming the village into a journey of flavors and light.
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Italian wine news, cellars and wines.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Barolo Monfortino Dominates International Auctions Giacomo Conterno’s 1978 Barolo Monfortino leads the ranking of the most highly valued bottles, exceeding €4,200 (up 9% year-over-year). It is followed by Sassicaia 1985 and Brunello di Montalcino Soldera 1990, confirming the solidity of fine Italian wine as a collectible asset.
Borgo Conventi: A New Phase in the Gorizia Collio Region The Moretti Polegato family is launching the first step in a targeted territorial expansion strategy in the Collio region, acquiring small, top-notch wineries outside the historic Valdobbiadene area.
Teresa Mincione: Five Harvests Between Identity and Vision From the legal profession to the vineyard: in Caiazzo, a young winery interprets Casavecchia and Pallagrello with a personal approach and winemaking expertise.
Tenuta San Filippo opens a 50/50 partnership with Maire Investments to support international growth without increasing production. Capital strengthening is the strategic lever, not volume expansion.
Avignonesi presents the Nobile Late Release 2015 Time as a productive ally: a choice that expresses the agricultural philosophy and identity of the historic Montepulciano winery.
Velenosi launches “Montagna”, a high-altitude Pecorino. A project that enhances the Marche grape variety through altitude, strengthening the link between terroir and varietal identity.
Terre del Barolo: record results and centrality of work in the vineyard. Turnover close to €22 million (8%) and growing net profit. A symbolic sculpture celebrates agricultural labor as the foundation of value.
ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY
Etna Surprise: Whites Outnumber Reds. For the first time, Etna Bianco bottlings outnumber Etna Rosso. This is a structural, not a cyclical, sign, linked to demand and positioning.
L’Enologica awarded for one of Italy’s best Novello wines. Special mention at the national competition for student-produced wines, the only school to be a finalist among over 60 labels.
Organic Asprinio di Aversa 2023 – Tenuta Fontana Focus on an identifying denomination, with Aversana-style tree-trained viticulture and organic interpretation.
DOC Vineyards: Wine Increases the Value of Lands According to Scenari Immobiliari, property prices in DOC areas are expected to grow by up to 200% in ten years, thanks to production quality, wine tourism, and sustainability.
Food and wine pairing becomes a free and creative experience. Classic dogmas have been overcome: interest in unconventional pairings, guided by sensory experience and conscious consumption, is growing.
Large-scale retail trade: wine is headed for its fifth consecutive negative year. In 2025, sales totaled 552 million liters (-3%) for a value of €2.05 billion (-0.4%). Average prices are rising, volumes are declining: the market is driven by value, not quantity.
INTERNATIONAL
Italian sparkling wines are the leaders in the United States. Production has surpassed the 1.03 billion bottle mark. Over 70% is exported, with solid performances in foreign markets and a key role during the holiday season.
Once upon a time, there was wine: Europe is responding to the crisis by uprooting vineyards. European consumption has fallen 35% since 2000, with production still concentrated but no longer competitive. The EU plan is seen as defensive, not progressive.
EU Wine Package: The Compromise Explained from the Inside. An interview with Esther Herranz García clarifies the key points of the legislative package: crisis management, labeling of dealcoholized wines, grubbing-up, and political balance.
WINE EVENTS AND TERRITORY
“Bollicine” in Bresseo di Teolo: a confirmed success. The Boxing Day event is increasingly well attended, with a large audience and a strong focus on Italian sparkling wines.
Cortina and the 2026 Olympics: what to drink in the Queen of the Dolomites. With high-spending tourism, new openings, and iconic venues, wine is becoming an integral part of the lifestyle experience ahead of the Games.
Appia UNESCO World Heritage Site and wine tourism. This recognition opens up new prospects for territorial development, where wine can become a cultural and economic lever for areas undergoing transformation.
Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .
See you tomorrow.
Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
Cantina Terre del Barolo: Growing cooperation (Langhe) Consolidating balance sheet: revenue close to €22 million (8%) and net profit of €2.7 million . The shareholders’ meeting on January 11th will be an opportunity to share investments and strategies, with a focus on the vineyard and supporting the local area.
Antica Cantina di San Severo: INNOWINE and low alcohol (Puglia) The INNOWINE research project has been concluded (final conference 16 October 2025): optimization of an innovative and sustainable process for producing low-alcohol wines, in collaboration with the University of Foggia and technical-scientific partners.
Colosi, Salina: Volcanic Wines and Family Identity (Aeolian Islands) A tale of generational continuity and island-based work: vineyards, volcanic soils, and Mediterranean style. The narrative focuses on authenticity, local tradition, and supply chain oversight.
Lea Winery / Franc Lizêr: 0% sparkling wine and sustainability (Friuli Venezia Giulia) A project launched in 2018: 132 hectares (105 hectares of vineyards), sustainability as an operational practice. The 0% alcohol line (rosé sparkling wine) uses membrane technology to preserve aromas and flavor profile, with a “contemporary drinking” positioning.
Tenute Carrisi (Al Bano): critical review. A deliberately provocative tone and clear judgment: a media case that reopens the issue of “celebrity wine” vs. perceived quality and coherence of positioning.
Camilla Lunelli: Female Leadership and the Ferrari Trento Model. Focus on governance and generational transition (“family pact”), with a key fact: in Italy, only a minority of wineries are run by women. The message: excellence as a daily operational culture, not a slogan.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Holiday Pairings: The Right Wine to Avoid Ruining Dinner. From “fish” Christmas Eve to desserts: this article highlights the most common mistakes (wrong contrasts, mismatched intensities) and the real impact that an out-of-place wine can have on the overall taste of the meal.
Lambrusco: Identity and Future of a Popular Wine Lambrusco as a system (territories, grape varieties, styles) is undergoing a repositioning process: balancing volume and value, more informed storytelling, and stylistic consistency to meet a market that prizes recognizability.
Francesco Sorelli: “The Molecule of Civilization” Wine as a cultural and historical phenomenon: myth, art, philosophy, and “enography” to explain how wine has accompanied human social evolution long before writing.
International
Sotheby’s & Masters of Wine: Online Auction at £147,000. The Institute of Masters of Wine’s benefit auction achieved a positive result: some lots sold above estimate, others fetched collectors a bargain. The top lot by auction was a Champagne-themed experience tied to Bollinger.
Champagne and Meunier: the “accessible route” to luxury. With purchasing power under pressure, there is growing interest in more “entry-level” Champagnes based on Meunier grapes: same appellation, different composition, with the aim of capturing demand without sacrificing status.
Italian sparkling wines: the most popular bubbles in the US. Production by 2025 will exceed 1.03 billion bottles , with 360 million destined for the holidays. Exports dominate (about 7 out of 10 exports): an industrial axis that supports volumes and market shares, avoiding supply chain declines.
Wine events
Grosjean x Pila (Aosta Valley): When the mountains meet wine. Official collaboration starting December 28th between the winery, the resort, and the tourist consortium: tastings, mountain activities, and vouchers for winery visits (valid for 12 months). Wine tourism “without fireworks,” but with method.
Pietrabbondante “Divino” – Christmas Wineries (Molise) On December 28th, a food and wine tour of wineries, local cuisine, and culture (music, poetry, art). Wineries open at 7:30 pm with a sommelier and a selection of regional wines.
New Year’s Eve: bottle selections and “out-of-the-box bubbles.” Two “service” features: a bottle list to break the ice and a selection guided by a young sommelier (focusing on lesser-known territories and with a limited budget). A useful format for both the general public and restaurants.
Rovereto: the historic Due Colonne bar reopens. New management, a retro identity, and a wine-focused menu (in addition to cocktails and tapas) are a sign of how the wine bar experience continues to evolve.
QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor Where value isn’t talked about: it’s demonstrated. Complex transactions, sectors we truly understand, management right through to closing.
Thanks for listening: today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.