The wine news for Saturday 1 June 2024!

Rosé wines: a wasted opportunity Italian producers are unable to fully exploit the potential of rosé wine. Despite its better performance than other types in modern distribution, especially in the sparkling version, Italian pink wine struggles to penetrate the consumer market. Globally, around 23 million hectoliters are consumed, but Italy, the fourth largest producer after the United States, is unable to capitalize on this growth which has regained momentum since 2010.

Crisis and censorship in the world of Californian wine In California, wine producers are trying to limit criticism from journalists to hide the crisis in the sector. Liz Thach of the Wine Market Council expresses concern about negative headlines depressing young workers in the industry. This media pessimism is not new and dates back to articles such as that of Frank Prial in 1998 in the New York Times, which highlighted how young people were turning away from wine.

Ferment in the vineyard at Ca' della Vigna On June 14th at 8:00 pm, a summer tasting dinner will be held at Ca' della Vigna in Selvazzano Dentro (PD). The event will be dedicated to the wines of the Euganean Hills, with live music and summer gastronomy dishes. It will be a journey through the vineyards of Uva Serprina, Raboso and Moscato Giallo, with special attention to the organic wines of the estate.

Heroic viticulture in Valtellina In Valtellina, the vineyard terraces compete with the apple trees, offering breathtaking landscapes. Paolo Oberti, an entrepreneur from Tirano, cultivates the dream of producing wine, following in the footsteps of local winemaking traditions. These historic vineyards tell of the resilience and passion of the Lombardy region.

Cabernet Franc: the new craze Cabernet Franc is rewriting the balance among Italian reds thanks to its resistance to hot climates and its ability to maintain aromatic freshness. Producers such as Damiano Ciolli in Olevano Romano underline the importance of enhancing this vine for its elegance and freshness, surpassing other varieties such as Merlot.

Food and wine experiences in Puglia In Puglia, many wineries and farms offer tastings directly in the vineyards. Sitting between the rows, on hay bales or cushions, visitors can sip local wines accompanied by cured meats, cheeses and finger food with fresh vegetables from the nearby fields.

Sparkling wines from Trentino Italian sparkling wines, in particular Trentodoc, have experienced significant growth. Technological innovation, advanced winemaking techniques and promotional campaigns have contributed to the international success. With 13 million bottles sold in 2022, Trentodoc represents Italian sparkling wine excellence.

Damage from downy mildew in Abruzzo The damage caused by downy mildew prompted 45 Abruzzo mayors to write to Minister Lollobrigida to ask for urgent support for wine companies. The request for further resources adds to the wine sector's ultimatum to the Government.

Food and wine events in Rome June 2024 in Rome is full of events, dinners and tastings. Among the many events, Osteria Fratelli Mori will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a mural dedicated to Roman cuisine, followed by an aperitif and special tastings on June 5th.

Bacci Wines: evolution and quality Bacci Wines, based in Tuscany, focuses on the quality of the wine rather than quantity. The winery stands out for its qualitative growth and presence in various export markets, maintaining a strong link with the Tuscan territory.

Previews of the Terroir of Ceretto On 13 and 14 May, in Alba, the Previews of the Terroirs of Ceretto selection attracted thousands of enthusiasts. The event offered international wine tastings, allowing visitors to discover new labels and engage with industry experts.

Barolo Scarrone 2020 by Bava The Bava family, present in the Langa for over a century, continues to produce high quality wines. With 113 years of experience, the Bavas manage 50 hectares of vineyard and produce 390,000 bottles a year, keeping tradition and winemaking excellence alive.

Cantina Ventiventi and sustainability Cantina Ventiventi stands out for its vocation to sustainability and for the production of high quality Lambrusco. Despite the commercial success, the company aims to continually raise the quality of the wine, maintaining a relaxed and happy lifestyle.

Marinara and Cantina Alabastra from Concettina ai Tre Santi "I thought of a wine that would envelop her, that would stand up to her and offer her softness and personality,” says Lucia Pintore, great taster and vigneron. Lucia, owner of Alabastra with her husband Angelo Valentino presented Agata, a 2017 Falaghina of extraordinary elegance, during a special evening at Rione Sanità.

Lodali, Docg Barbaresco Giacone Lorens 2020 For Walter Lodali, dreams take the form of the new cellar of his historic company in Treiso, in the Langhe. Opened in May with a vertical of Barolo Bricco Ambrogio and Barbaresco Giacone Lorens, this winery reflects the passion and dedication of three generations of winemakers, which began with Giovanni Lodali in 1939.

Classic Method Mountain Pecorino: return to the origins The brothers Walter and Massimiliano Bartolomei have created the first Classic Method Mountain Pecorino, a project that aims to rediscover the roots of the native Piceni vine. This experimental wine can be tasted at the Ciù Ciù showroom in Offida.

Principe Corsini - Villa le Corti, Docg Chianti Classico Le Corti 2022 Duccio Corsini leads the Villa le Corti company with an organic and traditional approach, producing lively wines linked to the territory of San Casciano Val di Pesa. The estate boasts 50 hectares of vineyards and produces 150,000 bottles a year, keeping the Sangiovese tradition alive.

The 14 best Vermentinos from Liguria chosen by Gambero Rosso Liguria, with its vineyards overlooking the sea and on steep slopes, produces high quality wines despite geographical difficulties. This heroic viticulture generates Vermentino of excellence, as recognized by Gambero Rosso.

Wine market 2023: Italy resists In 2023 the wine market lost 1.7 billion euros compared to 2022. However, Italy limited the loss to -0.8% in value, showing signs of vitality, especially in the sparkling wine category, with an increase in exports in the first two months of 2024.

Decrease in wine consumers in the USA, Germany and United Kingdom Despite the stability of market values, a decline in wine consumers is observed in the USA, Germany and the United Kingdom. This phenomenon pushes the sector to improve price positioning and product values to maintain profitability.

Tender for over 10 million for the promotion of Tuscan wine in non-EU countries. The Tuscany Region has opened a tender for over 10 million euros to strengthen the presence of Tuscan wines on foreign markets, with particular attention to non-EU countries. This support aims to promote the quality of Tuscan wines and strengthen the agri-food sector.

The future of wine: innovation and new consumer trends On 11 June at Villa Margon, Trento, a conference on the future of wine will be held, organized by the Edmund Mach Foundation. The event will offer a space for discussion on innovations in the wine sector and new consumer trends.

Wine and food for celiacs: what is allowed to consume For celiacs, the choice of food requires attention. Although wine is generally gluten-free, it is important to choose safe and tasty ingredients to maintain a gluten-free diet without giving up the pleasure of good food.

Wine imports in major world markets decline In the first quarter of 2024, wine imports in 12 major world markets decreased by 8.7%. Italy recorded a smaller decline, -0.9%, thanks to the good performance of sparkling wines, particularly in markets such as the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia and China.

Thanks for listening, we remind you that today's wine press review was offered by QUIDQUID.

See you tomorrow!