Wine press review for Thursday December 25 – 2025

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

Italian wineries

Conte Vistarino, Pinot Noir Oltrepò Pavese Tavernetto 2019 A Pinot Noir that recounts over 160 years of Oltrepò Pavese history. The 2019 Tavernetto combines memory and drinkability: an elegant profile, crisp fruit, measured oak, and a dynamic palate that emphasizes freshness and tension.

Tenuta Secolo IX makes Moscatello Casauria sparkling wine. The Abruzzo winery presents “Fonte Moscato Spumante Dolce,” a limited edition of 3,300 bottles. Made using the Martinotti method, it has a 6.5% ABV, a high residual sugar content, and is a project that showcases a historic grape variety from the Castiglione a Casauria area.

NAMA 2022: Chardonnay according to Nals Margreid. The latest vintage of NAMA, a wine that symbolizes the evolution of the Alto Adige winery, was presented at the Merano Wine Festival. A project that reflects stylistic maturity, production continuity, and a dialogue between architecture, terroir, and winemaking vision.

Barone Pizzini and the Rosé from Pinot Noir. From its 19th-century origins to the birth of Franciacorta DOC, and its pioneering move to organic, Barone Pizzini confirms its identity-building journey based on sustainability and respect for the land.

Cantina Marilina has been awarded the Confeserfidi Future Award 2025. This recognition recognizes its commitment to the ethical and sustainable agricultural supply chain, with a focus on enhancing the local winemaking heritage and its positive impact on the region.

Restoration of the former Stradella Social Winery. Technical assessments have begun to evaluate the partial removal of the monument restrictions and unblock restoration work on the complex, currently in a state of disrepair.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Europe’s highest wine is produced in Morgex. On the slopes of Mont Blanc, Prié Blanc grows up to 1,280 meters. The Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle appellation is a symbol of extreme viticulture, climate resilience, and cultural identity.

Lambrusco PGI: the identity and future of a popular wine. Between tradition, volumes, and new qualitative ambitions, Lambrusco is undergoing a redefinition. Producers and consortia are being challenged to craft a more informed narrative, one that is more consistent with the contemporary market.

Vin Santo: a “relational” wine from Tuscany. An anthropological study of Vin Santo as an expression of memory, hospitality, and ritual, rather than a commercial product.

The best Italian wine under 10 euros According to the 2026 BereBene guide by Gambero Rosso, the 2024 Grignolino d’Asti from the Post dal Vin Terre del Barbera cooperative winery stands out for its quality-price ratio, with a score of 93/100.

Holiday pairings: whites, reds, and sparkling wines. From seafood to meat-based menus, sommeliers’ tips for avoiding mistakes that can ruin your Christmas dining experience.

International

United Kingdom: Alcohol consumption at an all-time low. In 2024, average consumption fell to 10.2 drinks per week per adult. This structural decline was offset, however, by peaks concentrated around the Christmas period.

The seventh-best wine in the world according to Wine Spectator. A critical reflection on the gap between iconic ratings, actual bottle accessibility, and end-consumer perception.

Wine Exports 2026: A Year of Laser Focus A discussion between sales directors and export managers highlights a complex context: mature markets, geopolitical uncertainties, and the need for increasingly selective and targeted strategies.

Wine events

Sparkling wine is the star of the holidays . Over 106 million bottles were uncorked between Christmas and New Year’s. Production is expected to exceed 1.03 billion bottles in 2025, with 96% of the bottles being Made in Italy.

A Christmas toast in Neviglie with the Bera family. A day of conviviality and local hospitality that brought together producers, institutions, and enthusiasts in the spirit of Langhe hospitality.

Langhe: open cellars between Christmas and Epiphany. From December 26th to January 6th, visits and wine tourism experiences to discover wines, villages, and traditions during a time of more intimate hospitality.

Sustainable wine tourism and digital platforms. The wine tourism sector is growing, worth approximately €2.9 billion in Italy. New digital services are facilitating connections between travelers, wineries, and regions.

QUIDQUID – Strategic Business Advisor Where value isn’t talked about: it’s demonstrated. For fifty years, we’ve supported strategic transactions in the wine and mineral water sectors, with industrial vision, local knowledge, and support right up to the closing of the deal.

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

See you tomorrow.