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Wine press review for Saturday February 14 – 2026

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Temporary Wine by Andrea Moser (Alto Adige) A project outside the box born in Mazzon (Caldaro) that rewrites the story of Alto Adige Pinot Bianco. “Fly,” a 100% Pinot Bianco produced in just 1,280 bottles, has been named one of the 50 Rare Wines in the 2026 Italian Wines Guide with a score of 96/100. This result confirms the career trajectory of a winemaker who has already been a key player at Cantina di Caldaro and at Franz Haas.

Colline Novaresi: Davide Carlone’s dream. A mosaic of vineyards amidst woods, dry stone walls, and natural parks, with Monte Rosa in the background. A project that unites landscape, heroic viticulture, and territorial identity, transforming the hillside into a cultural as well as agricultural attraction.

Brunello “A Diletta” – Col di Lamo Wine and music meet in the story of Gianna Neri and her daughter. A Brunello that symbolizes resilience and female continuity, with the 2019 vintage expressing elegance, complexity, and technical precision.

Umbria del Vino: 20 wineries win. The fifth edition of the national wine competition promoted by the Umbria Chamber of Commerce has concluded. Twenty wineries were recognized for their quality and identity, confirming the region’s increasingly structured winemaking scene.

Emilia-Romagna awarded in Brussels Fifteen regional wineries were recognized at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2025. This result strengthens the region’s international standing, capable of expressing diverse styles and territories under a common qualitative denominator.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

2025 Harvest: Less Wine, More Problems. Production stable at 44.3 million hectoliters, but inventories rising to 61 million (68 million including must). The paradox of a system no longer able to absorb even ordinary production. The UIV’s warning points to a structural, not a cyclical, crisis.

Falling prices and rising stocks . Despite the reduction in yields, quotas aren’t enough. Surpluses of common wines and IGT white wines are growing, while PDO wines are holding up better. Financial pressure on wineries will become the real issue for 2026.

Tuscany: Less Volume, More Value. A clear strategy emerged at the PrimaAnteprima in Florence: focus on quality and identity. Ninety-seven percent of the vineyards are PDO. Exports are slightly up in volume but declining in value, interpreted as a readjustment after record years. On the domestic market, the region is holding its position better than the national average.

EVO oil, like wine, is changing the narrative of Made in Italy: extra virgin olive oil follows the path already blazed by wine, from commodity to cultural product. Territory, supply chain, research, and storytelling become levers of value.

Water Management in the Winery Water as a Critical Process Factor: Timely Measurement, Sensors, Optimization of Washing Cycles, and Wastewater Management are at the Center of New Strategies for Operational Efficiency and Sustainability.

Young people and alcohol consumption: Ferrara’s alarm bells ring. University students are already drinking Spritz in the morning: data on youth addiction is growing. This issue is raising questions about responsibility, communication, and new consumption patterns.

International

Mercosur, the post-2027 CAP, and wine. In Strasbourg, the European Parliament unanimously voted on the new support framework for the wine sector (625 votes in favor). This is a strong political signal, but the system remains fragile amid trade liberalization, transition, and generational change.

Zorah Winery, Armenia A new chapter in Armenian viticulture with ancient roots and an Italian soul. Zorik Gharibian’s project combines historical memory and contemporary vision, putting Armenia back on the map of quality wine.

Italy and France: the art of living through wine. The cultural dialogue between two superpowers of taste is strengthened at Wine Paris, between territory, aesthetics, and UNESCO heritage. Wine as a common language of identity and cultural industry.

Wine events

Zero-alcohol cocktails in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Bartenders at top hotels are once again experimenting with zero-alcohol mixology using Castagner products. A clear signal: the out-of-home experience is evolving and embracing sports, wellness, and new consumption styles.

Irresistible PIWI – Lazise, April 26–27, 2026. The third edition of the event dedicated to resistant varieties. Not just a tasting, but a discussion on sustainability, research, and the future of viticulture.

The best bottles for Valentine’s Day From reds to whites to sparkling wines: a selection of iconic labels to celebrate the occasion, with a focus on Alto Adige and Pinot Bianco.

Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .

See you tomorrow.

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

A winery in a 16th-century quarry: a €10 million project in Manduria. A new wine citadel is being built in the heart of Puglia, nestled in a 16th-century tuff quarry. The project, spearheaded by entrepreneur Luigi Blasi, calls for a futuristic winery nestled within a 130-hectare estate, with an estimated employment impact of dozens. This operation combines historic restoration, territorial development, and an industrial vision.

Cantina dell’Arte: Vivallis celebrates Depero in Rovereto. The Vivallis Winery in Nogaredo dedicates a permanent room to Fortunato Depero, merging art, territory, and wine. The initiative strengthens the winery’s cultural positioning and highlights the Depero Bianco and Rosso wines as expressions of the Vallagarina’s identity.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

“Yes!” Prosecco DOC: Italian sparkling wines conquer France. In the homeland of Champagne, Prosecco DOC consolidates its position: France becomes the world’s third-largest market. In 2025, 667 million bottles were declared (1.1%), with over 82% destined for export to over 160 countries. At Wine Paris, the Consortium was a key player with 34 companies.

The Gentleman ranking crowns Gaja’s Barbaresco Sorì Tildin 2022 as the best Italian red wine . Giacosa, Antinori, and Sassicaia also make the podium: a collective tale of Italian excellence according to international critics.

Over 60 million hectoliters in the cellar: the inventory issue. At Wine Paris, Lamberto Frescobaldi (UIV) reports the most significant data: inventories are at an all-time high, the market is slowing, and bulk wine is struggling. The “Italian winery” is growing, but its value is struggling to keep pace with volumes.

Tuscany’s wine industry holds its own on the markets. With €1.2 billion in exports (15% of the national total), Tuscany looks ahead with confidence, despite recording a 2.7% decline in labeling and bottling in 2025. The shared awareness: a change of pace in communication is needed, especially for the great reds.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano soars abroad. In 2025, 64.5% of sales will be on international markets. With a total value approaching one billion euros, Nobile confirms its position as an economic pillar and regional ambassador, ahead of the 2026 Preview.

Guaranteed PGI | “Post-Natural” Wine After decades of debate, the concept of natural wine is evolving. A “post-ideological” phase is emerging, where method, transparency, and consistency are key, overcoming the rigid distinction between natural and conventional.

Prosecco DOCG: trucks removed from the UNESCO hills. The Ecolog project aims to reduce traffic and smog by up to 40% by moving logistics hubs outside of Valdobbiadene and introducing electric vehicles. This is a key step towards sustainability and landscape protection.

International

French wine exports plummet: down 8% in value in 2025. According to FEVS, France has hit a 25-year low. The United States, China, and the euro/dollar exchange rate are weighing on exports. Champagne also grew in volume but lost more than 4% in value, a sign of pressure on margins.

Krug Vintage 2013: A Surprising Vintage Presented in Milan, Krug ‘s first 2013 vintage stands out for its freshness and acidic tension. A sign of how climate and style are redefining even the great maisons.

Wine, Mercosur, and the post-2027 CAP: Europe accelerates. The European Parliament overwhelmingly approves the new support framework for the wine sector. The message is clear: the crisis is structural and requires new tools for the market, protection, and transition.

The Wine Package is now law: what’s changing? The definitions for “0.0%,” “alcohol-free,” and “reduced alcohol” wines have been approved. This is a crucial step for a rapidly growing no/low alcohol category, which now gains regulatory clarity.

Wine events

Wine Paris 2026: Italy Takes Center Stage CEO Rodolphe Lameyse announces a unique pavilion dedicated to Italy for 2027. With 6,500 exhibitors from 63 countries, Wine Paris consolidates its position as a global wine hub.

Southern Roots: Registration is now open for the 21st edition. From June 3 to 8, 2026, in Gioia del Colle, the event celebrates Southern Italian wines and oils with competitions, B2Bs, tours, and historic vertical tastings of native grape varieties.

From Paris to Tokyo: the Area39 model at the top of fairs At Wine Paris, Area39 designs the largest single-management space in Italy, involving over 160 entities in an integrated B2B hub.

Spazio Vignaiolo at Hospitality 2026 In Riva del Garda, 80 FIVI wineries will enliven the area dedicated to wine tourism and experiential hospitality, with tastings, seminars, and Slow Food cuisine.

Franciacorta takes center stage in Paris Between Wine Paris and an evening on the Seine, the Franciacorta Consortium strengthens its international positioning, bringing the Italian Metodo Classico to the iconic locations of the City of Light.

Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Moncaro up for auction: €14 million as a starting price

Terre Cortesi Moncaro. The Marche-based cooperative, placed under special administration in 2024, will be auctioned in March with the authorization of the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy. Estimated value:

  • €13,028,190 property (3 cellars, 65 hectares of vineyards)
  • €1,080,000 goodwill (52 labels registered in Italy and foreign markets)

A case in point: agricultural assets and brand equity. The market will determine whether real estate value coincides with industrial value.

Novacella Abbey: vertical Praepositus

Novacella Abbey Founded in 1142, zero emissions since 1992. Triple vertical of the Praepositus line: history, continuity and real sustainability, not superficial.

Casa Grazia strengthens its green vision

Casa Grazia, rooted in the Lake Biviere Nature Reserve (Sicily), continues its organic journey with a presence at Biofach, the Slow Wine Fair, and a masterclass on Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. Its international positioning is consistent.

D’Oreste Taurasi DOCG 2020 – Antonio Molettieri Winery

Antonio Molettieri Winery, awarded at “Beviamoci Sud.” A Taurasi that reflects 100 years of family-run Aglianico. Elegance, power, and refined tannins. The South continues to speak loudly.

Cave des Onze Communes: Pinot Noir under €20

Cave des Onze Communes Awarded for the best regional quality/price ratio in the BereBene 2026 guide. The Alpine cooperation demonstrates that precision and accessibility can coexist.

Women of Wine Sardinia

National Association of Women in Wine Nina Puddu reappointed as head of the regional delegation. Continuity, territorial leadership, and planning.

Edoardo Freddi International closes 2025 with growth

Edoardo Freddi International 6%, 38 million bottles, 112 markets. Double-digit performance in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and Singapore. In a challenging year, the strategy pays off.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Cantina Italia: stocks at 60.9 million hectoliters

ICQRF data updated to January 31, 2026: 5.9% year-on-year. Add 6.4 million hl of must and 601,000 hl of new wine in fermentation.

High inventories aren’t just a number: they’re tied up capital. 2026 begins with structural pressure on volumes.

New EU wine package approved by the European Parliament

European Parliament 625 votes in favor. Main developments:

  • New authorization regime
  • Greater clarity on dealcoholized wine labels
  • Support for exports and wine tourism
  • Crisis measures that can be activated by the States

The text now goes to the Council for final approval.

Dealcoholized wines: a review by Sandro Bottega

Sandro Bottega welcomes the new EU regulations on “0.0%” and “reduced alcohol” labeling. The No/Low Alcohol segment is no longer a niche, but a structured market.

Coldiretti: Simplification is a plus, but resources are needed now.

Coldiretti praises the EU package. Focus on transparency, promotion, and rational management of authorizations.

Young Farmer: Changes to the Requirements

New training and professional methods for accessing the status from 2026. More flexibility, but stringent requirements.

Longevity and conscious consumption

Professor Giovanni Scapagnini relaunches the topic of moderate drinking among those aged 40-65 as a possible protective factor. A delicate but central topic in the health-wine debate.

Historic vines of the Ravenna area

Albanella, Balsamino, Centesimino, Longanesi. Restoring biodiversity and vines married to maple trees at the Celti Centurioni estate. Agricultural memory is innovation.

INTERNATIONAL

Tri Morave Traditional Method – Serbia

Temet Extra Brut made from 100% Tamjanika, aged 24 months on the lees. Verticality and Balkan identity. The Classic Method speaks more and more languages.

WINE EVENTS

Slow Wine Fair 2026 – Bologna

Slow Wine Fair 2026 Slow Food February 22–24 at BolognaFiere, over 1,100 exhibitors from 28 countries, 7,000 labels. Tasting as a cultural and environmental experience.

A Thursday Like a Lion – Chianti Colli Fiorentini

Chianti Colli Fiorentini Consortium: Monthly winery events throughout 2026. Finale on May 7th at Serre Torrigiani in Florence. Identity-based wine tourism.

Venice Wine Festival – Forte Marghera

March 7–8, 2026. Champagne and international wines from 20 countries, 100 exhibitors. An event entirely dedicated to global wine.

Campania Region at Wine Paris

Wine Paris: Coordinated institutional presence to strengthen Campania exports.

Wine Routes in Piedmont

17 DOCGs, 42 DOCs, 45,000 hectares of vineyards. Experiential tourism between Alto Monferrato, Acqui, Ovada, and Novi Ligure. The region remains the primary storyteller.

Strategic Signal of the Day

Three strands dominate the scene:

  1. High balances → financial pressure.
  2. Alcohol-dealers and EU regulation → new segment now legitimized.
  3. Structured wine tourism → concrete lever of value.

European wine isn’t just reacting: it’s rewriting the rules. And those who manage this transition will have a competitive advantage over the next five years.

Today’s press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .

Until tomorrow.

Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian wineries

Tramin’s Epokale 2017: a wine that defies time. A Gewürztraminer that breaks the rules of ready-to-drink: late harvest, respectful vinification, and a unique six-year aging in the mountains at 2,000 meters. A tale of altitude, patience, and territorial identity that confirms the evolutionary capacity of Alto Adige’s great white wines.

The Valle d’Aosta cooperative creates a Pinot Noir for under €20. A wine awarded for the best regional quality-price ratio in the 2026 Gambero Rosso BereBene guide. Concrete proof that even “minor” regions can produce compelling, accessible Pinot Noir wines that are in keeping with the Alpine context.

Cantina Marilina: Lost Grape Varieties and “Naturally” Low-Alcohol Wines. In Noto, Angelo Paternò is pursuing radical work on native Sicilian varieties, non-invasive techniques, and experimentation. The rediscovery of Moscato di Noto and Catarratto Mantellato has now led to the creation of two low-alcohol wines, capturing a rapidly growing trend.

Nicodemo Librandi is remembered with a prize dedicated to him. Established by the SudHeritage association, the “Nicodemo Librandi” Prize will support the best doctoral thesis on corporate museums and archives. This award ties together business, productive memory, and the cultural responsibility of local communities.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Riccardo Cotarella: “Enough defending ourselves, wine must make its voice heard again.” In his public address, the president of Assoenologi (Italian Association of Enology) calls on the industry to make a change of pace: clearly distinguish between moderate consumption and alcohol abuse, defend the culture of wine, and regain a leading role in public debate. The message accompanies the launch of the institutional campaign “Wine is our time – Let’s cultivate what unites us.”

Basilicata: the future of wine starts with DNA. The Basilicata Region and ALSIA have authorized four new native grape varieties (Ghiandara, Zimellone Bianco, Damaschino, Montonico). This scientific genetic recovery project strengthens the biodiversity, identity, and quality prospects of Lucanian wine.

International

Agriculture: France heads for a deficit, Italy and Spain advance. According to a French Senate report, the French agricultural surplus has fallen 49% in five years. 2025 could mark the first deficit since 1978, while Italy and Spain are recording strong trade growth. This rebalancing will also impact European wine.

Wine events

Wine Paris 2026: Italy Takes Center Stage From February 9 to 11, Wine Paris confirms its position as a global hub for wine and spirits: over 6,000 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors from 155 countries. Italy is the second most represented country, with approximately 1,350 companies and 12,000 m² of exhibition space (25% more than in 2025), 130 of which are in the ICE collective.

Wine Paris kicks off: Italian exhibits quadrupled in six editions. A clear signal of the Italian wine industry’s strategic positioning on international markets. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and institutional leaders inaugurated the Italian Pavilion.

Grandi Langhe 2026: Record Number of Producers and Quality. Over 515 producers and thousands of labels at the OGR in Turin for an event that strengthens the regional narrative of Piedmont wine. Among the many tastings, one Barolo made its mark, confirming the appellation’s increasingly high average quality.

Vinitaly 2026: Xcellent Spirits is born. The 58th edition of Vinitaly sees the debut of a new pavilion dedicated to spirits and contemporary drinks. Over 1,000 m² showcases spirits, RTDs, soft drinks, and mixology, capturing the evolution of consumption.

Insuperlabel 2026: Design and Vermouth di Torino Auroflex launches the fifth edition of its label design contest, in partnership with the Consorzio del Vermouth di Torino PGI. A bridge between graphic creativity, product identity, and the culture of the Italian aperitivo.

Cantine d’Italia 2026 with Go Wine in Turin Evening tastings with over 100 wineries, discounted tickets, and the option to join the association until December 31, 2026. A format designed for an evolved and informed audience.

Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .

See you tomorrow.

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