Wine Idea's wine news for April 5, 2025!

1. Vinitaly 2025 – Protagonists, debuts and awards

Verona, 6–9 April 2025

• Le Marche at Vinitaly : the protagonist is Verdicchio , a regional symbol increasingly loved by young people. Focus on sustainability and modernization of the specifications.
• Cantina del Rimedio (Oristano) : awarded "Winery of the Year" , while its Aristanis Brut is the best sparkling wine in Italy according to 5StarWines.
• Cantina Pizzolato (Veneto) : news with PIWI line and system for the dealcoholization of organic wines .
• Cantina Muratori (Franciacorta) : a model of sustainable viticulture , with solar panels above the vineyards.
• Relais Bianc Particulier 2019 : special debut of the Bava Winery (Piedmont), reinterpreted Sauvignon.
• Consorzio Vini di Romagna : 18 producers at Vinitaly bring the best of the Forlì and Romagna tradition.
• Cantine Birgi (Sicily) : great attention to innovation and sustainability .
• All'Antico Vinaio and Joe Bastianich : present the "La Mozza" wines with gourmet schiacciate, launch event in Verona.

2. Awards and recognitions

• "White Wine of the Year" : Madame Sauvignon 2021 (Collio), awarded by Food and Travel Italia .
• Cantina Valtidone (Piacenza) : 4 wines awarded at Mundus Vini in Germany, including the Arvange Brut and the Julius Gutturnio.
• Guida Vini d'Italia 2025 – Gambero Rosso : presented with awards to emerging wineries, sustainable wines and solidarity projects.

3. Wine and geopolitics – US tariffs

The big topic of the day: the 20% US tariffs on European products.

• Products affected : wine, oil, cheese and cured meats. Italian exports to the USA were worth 73 billion in 2024.
• Consequences :
  • 20% tax on Italian bottles in the USA.
  • Wine and cheese are among the most penalized.
  • Piles in Italian ports : containers stuck in Livorno, Genoa, Palermo, etc.
• Estimated damages : Unione Italiana Vini calculates 323 million euros per year .
• Voices from the sector :
  • Balbiano (Piedmont) : "The risk is a contraction in demand of up to 40%".
  • Busi (Chianti) : "Enough dependence on the USA, let's open up to Mercosur ".
  • Morando (Montalbera Vini) : "The popular segment is at risk, we hope for a downward negotiation".
  • Gaja (Barbaresco) : "Too much alarmism. There is room for negotiation".
• Indirect effects : changes in consumption habits, with the risk of preference for Chilean or Argentinean wines.

4. Sustainability and the future of wine

• Carbon credits in agriculture : new opportunities for Molise agricultural companies thanks to the GECO2.2 project (voluntary carbon market).
• PIWI grape varieties : fungus-resistant and more sustainable, promoted by Cantina Pizzolato.
• Industry Challenges :
  • Decline in domestic consumption.
  • Climate change.
  • Transparent labelling.
  • Young people's choice: less loyalty to wine, more exploration of alternatives.

5. Data and numbers

• Production 2024 : Italy in 1st place worldwide with 41 million hectolitres (7% compared to 2023).
• Export 2024 : 8.1 billion euros (5.5% compared to 2023).
• Viticultural biodiversity :
  • 75% of the estate is covered by 80 native vines.
  • 528 DOP/IGP certifications (European record).
  • Growth in the districts: 10% for Prosecco , Colli Fiorentini , Veronese wines .

6. Investigations and criticism of the system

• Ranucci ("Report") : "Wine is a naked king". Three TV investigations have questioned the transparency of the Italian wine system.

7. Focus and curiosity

• Wine in 300 strokes : Bianco Renitens 2022 – Nicola Biasi : fascinating PIWI blend with peach, lively acidity and a bitterish finish.
• Marilisa Allegrini : a family and entrepreneurial vision that looks to the future of wine tourism.

Conclusion

Thanks for listening. Today's press review was brought to you by QUIDQUID . We'll talk tomorrow with all the news from the world of wine!