Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Prosecco System: General Assembly between Distinctiveness and Synergies. Over 700 producers gathered in Cimadolmo to discuss the future of Prosecco. Ettore Prandini (Coldiretti) emphasized Prosecco’s role as the driving force of Italian wine in international markets and emphasized the urgency of US tariffs, which are crucial for the leading market for Italian sparkling wines.
Gianluca Tait is the new president of Cantina Rotaliana. The members’ meeting elected Gianluca Tait with 155 votes, succeeding Luigi Roncador after 15 years in office. The company has 301 members and 480 hectares of vineyards, producing 67,500 quintals of grapes.
Cantina Rotaliana, €11.5 million budget and new direction. Tait’s election was also confirmed in the unanimously approved annual budget. This governance structure is consolidated at a time of strategic rethinking for the Trentino cooperative.
Cantina Frentana: Resilience as a Strategy. Amid declining consumption and the winds of war, the Abruzzo cooperative chooses to produce less but better. Carlo Romanelli, 80, a longtime figure at the winery, has been confirmed as president.
Cantina Frentana: growing numbers despite the market . 2025 closes with strong results for the Rocca San Giovanni cooperative, which reaffirms its founding values: cooperation, sustainability, and local roots.
Oniwines inaugurates “ERT1050,” a new winery for Trentodoc. A center of excellence for the Classic Method is being created in Brentonico, with vineyards reaching 1,050 meters above sea level. This project interprets the terroir in a modern, vertical way.
Pucciarella and Trequanda: Growing Territorial Identities From Lake Trasimeno to the Val d’Orcia, two Cariplo Pension Fund companies are leveraging wine and hospitality as strategic development levers. A powerful demonstration of how local, welcoming, and quality can work together.
Pucciarella and Trequanda: a new image to attract tourism and wine tourism. An ambitious revitalization plan for both estates: Pucciarella is valued at €12 million, Trequanda at €18 million. The goal: to consolidate the hotel and restaurant distribution network and offer integrated, contemporary hospitality.
Celebrations on Etna: Christmas and New Year’s Eve at Cantine Nicosia. The winery’s Osteria kicks off the holidays with events dedicated to volcanic wines and Etna cuisine, transforming winter on Etna into a sensory experience.
ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN ENOLOGY
Why do we choose wine based on its label? Neuromarketing and purchasing decisions: labels trigger complex cognitive processes, where graphics, aesthetics, and storytelling guide consumer decisions much more than technical details.
The “Brunello of the Future”: Market, Wine Tourism, and the Revitalization of the Appellation. Historic voices of Montalcino—from Biondi-Santi to Banfi, from Argiano to Poggio Antico—reflect on the challenges of the future. The Consortium led by Giacomo Bartolommei is preparing a new promotion plan.
Go Wine’s 2026 “Cantine d’Italia” Guide features 911 wineries, 270 “Impronte d’eccellenza” (Imprints of Excellence), and 5,180 wines. Seventeen wine museums stand out, along with nine special awards given to leading wineries from North to South.
Italian food a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Exports approaching €70 billion. Made in Italy agri-food continues to grow, supported by ancient traditions and a globally recognized cultural identity. Wine remains among the driving forces.
The world’s most famous Italian wines: the labels that made history. From elegant whites to revolutionary reds, from popular bubbles to the “rebel” Chianti wines: a journey through the bottles that have rebranded Italian winemaking since the post-war period.
Barolo 2022: a challenging vintage that reflects the climate. Producers and experts analyze a vintage that marks a turning point: challenging conditions, but results that could surprise when the wine hits the market on January 1, 2026.
AIS Vinetia Guide 2026: the best wines of Veneto. Awards were given to the Valdobbiadene Extra Brut by Bellenda (Charmat), the Monti Lessini Durello Riserva by Giannitessari (Classic Method), the Soave Classico by La Cappuccina (White) and the Chiaretto by Albino Piona (Rose).
Winery Visit Cost: The New Standard in Wine Tourism. The 2026 Cantine d’Italia Guide analyzes prices, hospitality models, and services offered. Wine tourism is evolving: visiting a winery is now a professional experience, no longer spontaneous or free.
INTERNATIONAL
La Tour d’Argent opens its cellars to the public for the first time. One of the world’s most prestigious collections—300,000 bottles located in the 5th arrondissement—is now open to visitors via guided tours. A temple of world winemaking finally reveals itself.
Young and bubbly: IWSR captures a global phenomenon. Flavored sparkling wines, crémants, and spritzes dominate consumption among new drinkers in France, the UK, and the US. People are drinking less, but more often and in informal settings.
Italian wines to give as Christmas gifts according to the New York Times Eric Asimov selects some of the best Italian labels for end-of-year gifts: a precious showcase in the heart of the US market.
For the Guardian, the perfect gift is extra virgin olive oil (but not Italian). The British newspaper has drawn up a list of the best oils in the world without including Italian labels: a choice that will cause controversy.
Chenin Blanc Trophy 2025: Falstaff’s Top 29 Wines. A new international ranking confirms the growing attention paid to this French grape variety, currently at the center of a global revival.
WINE EVENTS AND WINE TOURISM
The 2026 “Cantine d’Italia” Guide: an invitation to explore Italy’s wine scene. Wine museums, special awards, and a journey through regions, histories, and territories. Italian wine tourism presents itself with strength and identity.
Alto Adige: Ski instructors become wine experts. Wine ski guides and wine bike guides are born: sport, nature, and wine blend together in an immersive experience. An innovative wine tourism model that appeals to the new generations.
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News on Italian wine and oenology.
The selection encompasses the entire wine ecosystem: Italian wineries, wine trends, the international market, and events.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Colli Euganei Winery – A Revolution in the Vineyards. Red wine production is at an all-time low: winemakers are weeding out red grapes, while white wines—both still and sparkling—are gaining in demand. The latest harvest marks a definitive turning point.
Bibenda 2026 – Three Pontine wineries awarded the Cinque Grappoli (Five Grapes) award: Casale del Giglio, Marco Carpineti, and Colle di Maggio, among Lazio’s top wines. A gala celebrating 764 Italian wines before 1,250 guests.
Guide to the 2026 Italian Wineries – Sicily Takes Center Stage: Murgo Wins the “Cantine Golose” Special Award: Etna Confirms Its Role as an Elite Destination for Italian Wine Tourism.
Underwater Aging – Cantine Carputo presents its new “sea wines”: Falanghina Metodo Classico aged for 12 months underwater: calmer perlage and a mineral finesse recognized by AIS tasters.
Tenuta Il Plino – Two labels among the AIS Quattro Viti excellences for the Romagna Albana Passito DOCG 2021 and the Sangiovese Riserva 2020: confirmation of Romagna’s qualitative growth.
Borgo del Tiglio Winery – Floods wipe out the vintage. Extreme weather events devastate the Collio area: only the 2025 production remains.
Masseria Celentano – “Alto Confort” Award The Alberto Longo winery (Puglia) awarded by Go Wine for excellence in hospitality.
Vitevis Wineries – Turnover of €69.6 million (-5%). Exports grow (13%), while the domestic market declines (-8%). Packaged wines perform well.
Terre d’Aglianico – Gold at the 2024 EBE Città del Vino Competition , Falanghina del Sannio takes first prize: a victory of style and production rigor.
Bottega del Vino opens in Cortina. This national icon’s first location outside of Verona: 4,100 labels in Verona, 1,500 in the new opening at altitude.
ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY
Piwi – The resilient future of European wine. Grape varieties resistant to powdery mildew and downy mildew: a new sustainable paradigm, the result of a long scientific history from the early twentieth century to today’s frontiers.
Amarone della Valpolicella – Gambero Rosso’s 13 Best Elegance over power: the Corvina wines display an increasingly contemporary style.
Digitalization of Wineries – Digital Taste 2025: LinkedIn dominates, TikTok struggles. Tenute Piccini tops the list for digitalization; Antinori honored for its social media strategy; Herita Marzotto first in the “Carbon Neutral” category.
Previews – How a wine preview works. The dynamics, rituals, and behind-the-scenes behind events like Benvenuto Brunello: an army of tasters taking on a sensory marathon.
Federvini – The supply chain holds up 2025 despite US tariffs: Italy is performing better than its global competitors, with exports more resilient than the international average.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND GLOBAL SCENARIOS
US Tariffs – €110 Million Lost in Three Months. Italian and French producers are cutting prices by 15–26% to remain competitive, but American distributors are raising final prices. Compressed margins and weak orders: the UIV is sounding the alarm.
Leonardo Committee Meeting – Wine as a Strategic Axis of Made in Italy. The sector is worth €16 billion, with €8 billion in exports. Dompé: AI and research are crucial to addressing climate change, globalization, and new supply chains.
WINE EVENTS
Immaculate Conception Long Weekend – A weekend of food and wine festivals, markets, and celebrations. From north to south, Italy lights up the winter with tastings, crafts, Christmas traditions, and new taste experiences.
Svitati 2025 in Saluzzo – The Festival of the Unexpected An event that blends wine, music, and culture: an open book for those who love to explore the new without losing their connection with tradition.
Nebbiolo Prima – Thirty-Year Anniversary in Alba 250 labels, 170 wineries, 40 journalists from around the world: the new Nebbiolo vintages are conquering the international scene.
FIVI Independent Winegrowers’ Market – A success in Bologna with 28,000 visitors in three days: a journey through the Italian artisanal wine world, more coherent and expressive than ever before.
Open Cellars at Christmas 2025 – Veneto in celebration. Tastings, warm atmospheres, guided tours, markets, and tailor-made experiences for families and enthusiasts.
Wine Course for the Blind and Visually Impaired – ONAV and UICI Training, inclusion, and participation: a pioneering project that opens new professional and cultural avenues.
Digital Wineries – The Top 10 for 2025
Piccini, Mezzacorona, Frescobaldi, Villa Sandi, Antinori, Cavit, Zonin1821, La Marca, GIV, and Terre Cevico make up the top ten in digital communication, including social media, e-commerce, and multichannel languages.
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The world of wine is a vibrant organism: what happens in the vineyards resonates in markets, consumption styles, and narratives. Tomorrow we will discover new trajectories.
News on Italian wine and oenology.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Conte Collalto Winery – Christmas as a Rite of Identity. The historic Conegliano-Valdobbiadene winery offers Manzoni Bianco and Vinciguerra for the holidays, wines that tell a tale of millennia-old roots and conviviality. The hills cultivated for over a thousand years by the Collalto family are once again the focus.
Cantine Ermes – Investments in Oltrepò and new “Oltrepo” line: Eight new tanks (40% capacity), the first line of seven wines dedicated to the region, and a confirmed growth path. President Rosario Di Maria speaks of strong synergies with producers and institutions following the acquisition of the Canneto Pavese winery.
Cantina Belpoggio – Twenty Years Celebrated in Montalcino At Benvenuto Brunello, the winery recounted two decades of history with “Decanting2Decades.” An immersive celebration between Castelnovo dell’Abate and the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, the ideal cradle of Sangiovese.
ERT1050 – The Classic Mountain Method according to Oniwines. A sustainable vertical viticulture project for Trentodoc Classic Method has been launched in Brentonico (Trentino). The winery is a “fortress” nestled in Monte Baldo.
Palazzo Lodron – Day 2 of the Advent Calendar Between Trento and Lake Garda, an elegant, handcrafted production takes shape, with award-winning wines and an underground cellar that showcases a four-century-old heritage.
La Sabbiona – Special Go Wine Award for its Famoso The Faenza winery wins the “Good… I didn’t know it!” award for its “VIP” Ravenna IGP Famoso, the fruit of a journey that began 18 years ago to relaunch this ancient grape variety.
ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY
40 years since the methanol scandal. The scandal that changed Italian wine forever. Since late 1985, over 2.5 tons of methanol were discovered illegally used by multiple wineries: 23 deaths, 150 poisonings, and a turning point for regulations and the perception of quality.
Italian wine: between new frontiers and the sparkling wine boom. The Nomisma study describes a sector with 30,000 processing companies, a €16 billion turnover, and a key role in sparkling wines. Growing importance for exports and perceived quality.
Italy sells more wine to China. According to the Federvini Observatory, despite tariffs and global uncertainty, Italy is holding up better than its competitors. Its ability to adapt to new markets is growing, while France and Chile are experiencing more severe contractions.
Gangmastering in Agriculture – 2,500 “Shadowed” Workers in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The phenomenon of “landless self-employed workers” of Pakistani origin leads to unfair competition and exploitation. The regional observatory reports a 68% increase in two years.
INTERNATIONAL
Libby Brodie – The teetotaler consultant rewriting the rules of wine. An influential figure in the drinks industry, a technical taster and “Wine Translator,” she aims to democratize wine by eliminating snobbery. Seemingly paradoxical: she’s teetotal.
France looks to Italy for promotion Jérôme Bauer (Cnaoc) points to the Italian model as a reference: Italy invests 100 million/year in promotion, France only 40. A unitary “Wine of France” project has been called for.
The wine crisis in France: tariffs, climate, 70-year low harvests, war in Ukraine, and plummeting sales in China. Thousands of winemakers take to the streets demanding a bailout.
The renaissance of natural wines in Turkey. Thanks to the work of Sabiha Apaydin, Turkey (the world’s fifth-largest grape producer) is reshaping its identity with native grape varieties and natural wines. The “Kök, Köken, Toprak” symposium is becoming an international reference.
WINE EVENTS
Open Cellars at Christmas 2025 – Wine tourism celebrates December. A national event of the Wine Tourism Movement: tastings, illuminated villages, and a green approach thanks to the collaboration with Earth Day Italy.
Go Wine – Presentation of “Cantine d’Italia 2026” 911 wineries selected, 270 Impronte d’Eccellenza (Imprints of Excellence), 5,180 wines nominated. Focus on hospitality, wine culture, company museums, and storytelling.
Cantine d’Italia recognizes Brescia’s wine tourism. Franciacorta and Garda confirm their position as cutting-edge hubs. Bellavista is among the 25 wineries awarded the Tre Impronte (Three Fingerprints) award.
Michelin – The “Wine Selection” and “Grappoli” system are launched. “Michelin Grapes” are now available, with scores ranging from 1 to 3 based on agronomic quality, technique, identity, balance, and consistency. France leads the way (Burgundy and Bordeaux), while Italy is expected to join in 2026.
Civitas Vini – Cori celebrates history and cellars A new widespread event is born on December 7th and 8th: museums, cellars and art dialogue in an experiential journey dedicated to the Cori DOC.
The Wine & Spirits Vintage Auction – December 11 in Milan: Wannenes is auctioning 585 lots from three prestigious collections, including Giorgio Manenti’s historic cellar. A tasting of rare labels is also scheduled.
Sicily’s Wine Region – The 2026 Guide Presented. Il Giornale di Sicilia and Slow Wine present a mosaic of excellence, from large wineries to small family-run businesses.
Italian City of Wine 2026–27: Vulture Conegliano-Valdobbiadene doubles its title. For the first time, two regions share the title, uniting Basilicata and Veneto in a two-year program of wine tourism and cultural initiatives.
2025 Rome Wine Award – Calabria on the podium The 2024 Terre di Gerace Bianco (Barone Macrì) takes second place among white wines made from native vines in the national selection.
EXTRA / SOCIETY
Nduja, wine, and lobbying at the Chamber of Deputies – The “Calabrese ceremony” A political tasting featuring Pecorino Reggino and Greco Nero cheeses, organized by MP Domenico Furgiuele. Guests included parliamentarians, managers, and the inevitable presence of the President of the Republic.
Thanks for listening: today’s press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . Tomorrow, a new look at the wine landscape, always keeping our compass focused on the essential: reading the signs before they become evident.
News on Italian wine and oenology.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Cantina La-Vis – “Portraits”: art, sustainability, and social responsibility in a single project. A new line of six wines illustrates the harmony between humanity and nature through the illustrations of artist Margherita Paoletti. The launch coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, with a charity event in support of Telefono Rosa.
Le Colture – Cartizze: elegance for the holidays Le Colture’s Valdobbiadene DOCG Spumante Superiore di Cartizze confirms its status as a symbol of finesse: an extremely fine perlage, aromas of ripe fruit, and a perfectly recognizable story of the territory.
Torrevilla – AIS Lombardia Winemaker of the Year: Gabriele Picchi For the first time, AIS Lombardia has established the “Winemaker of the Year” award, awarding it to Gabriele Picchi for his work in selection, research, and quality improvement in Oltrepò Pavese.
Colterenzio Winery – New President: Franz Pardatscher. After 18 years as president of Niedermayr, Pardatscher, an oenologist and winemaker from Appiano, takes over the helm. This marks the beginning of a phase of consolidation and responsible renewal for the winery.
Cantina De Vigili – Mountain bubbles at 850 meters A vineyard located between 800 and 850 meters above sea level in the Spormaggiore area promises a sparkling wine with a distinctive “altitude” character, with the Brenta massif acting as a natural sentinel.
Enrico Serafino – Special Visit to the Canale Winery The winery welcomes guests of the “Il Girasole” day center: a simple and authentic experience that brings people closer to the culture of wine through firsthand experience and genuine curiosity.
Surprising Calabria – 56 wineries on display From November 29th to December 2nd, the press tour showcases a rapidly evolving region: Cosenza is the first stop on a journey involving producers, journalists, and international buyers.
Brescia’s Wineries Between Franciacorta and Garda – Top-Rated Wine Tourism. In Go Wine’s “Cantine d’Italia 2026” guide, Brescia takes center stage thanks to its quality hospitality and landscape. Bellavista is among the 25 wineries with “Tre Impronte” (Three Imprints).
La Sabbiona – Special Award for the Famous “VIP” Ravenna PGI The recovery of a historic aromatic grape variety becomes a virtuous case: the “Buono… non lo noto!” award celebrates a journey that began 18 years ago and is now recognized nationally.
MASI – New Wine Bar & Restaurant at Verona Airport The Masi Wine Bar & Restaurant opens in the renovated Catullo Airport, bringing the Veneto food and wine experience to the area’s main tourist hub.
ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY
The Lost Classicism of Brunello: The Debate Continues. Winemaker Filippo Paoletti weighs in on the editorial criticizing the stylistic evolution of some Brunellos from Southern Montalcino. One firm point: going backwards would mean invasive techniques and results that are inconsistent with today’s terroir.
Circular Economy in the Winery – The Caviro Model Recovery, regeneration of by-products, and supply chain integration: Caviro presents an industrial model that transforms sustainability into an economic lever, not a mere slogan.
UIV relaunches “Enotria” – The wine magazine is back. The historic periodical founded in 1921 is relaunching after fourteen years: two annual issues, in print and digital, to give voice to wine culture and the memory of the sector.
The “Clinto” wine is on the way to European rehabilitation. The EU Agriculture Commission is open to the possibility of marketing “Clintòn,” a wine banned for nearly a century. Veneto celebrates, with historic festivals and studies on its oenological potential.
Vinci – Wine as a Territorial Network The Municipality of Vinci presents its agricultural and cultural development projects: a model that links landscape, events, and local products into a single narrative of identity.
Roma Vino 2025 – All the Award Winners Over 230 wines from Lazio compete, with a professional jury rewarding quality, innovation, and a strong connection to the region in the evocative setting of the Temple of Hadrian.
INTERNATIONAL
Romania – A Silent Giant of European Wine With 187,000 hectares and 3.6 million hectoliters (OIV data), Romania remains the world’s eighth-largest vineyard producer. Historical and cultural ties with Italy make this market increasingly attractive.
Italian exports under pressure – Extraordinary measures are needed. UIV raises the alarm: tariffs, an unfavorable exchange rate, and declining purchasing power risk curbing exports. The government is allocating €100 million annually (2026–2028) to promote exports abroad.
WINE EVENTS
Sparkle 2026 – A Roman success with 1,500 visitors. 92 labels awarded the “5 Spheres,” nearly 1,000 wines in the guide, and a growing audience: Italian sparkling wines continue to attract attention and curiosity.
Venicepromex – “Land of Wine Stars” with Chef Chiara Pavan. The initiative highlights wine as the defining language of the Veneto region. Chef Pavan shares her vision of sustainable cuisine and the connections between produce and landscape.
Advent Calendar – Day 1: Praeclarus Metodo Classico Since 1979, a symbol of Alto Adige sparkling wine: hand-picked grapes, rigorous classic method, and three versions available today that tell the story of a terroir that thrives on precision and freshness.
COLUMN – PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Piero Antinori – “I’m still searching for the perfect wine.” At 87, the Marchese recounts his never-ending quest: an ideal wine, capable of embodying an idea rather than a style. Among memories, Tignanello, and an unquenchable thought.
Thanks for listening. Today’s press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . Let’s follow the thread of these stories: each one reveals how the sector continues to evolve, even when no one notices.