Wine Idea's wine news for March 6, 2025!

Markets and Trends

Germany: Wine consumption drops and average price collapses The German wine market is going through a crisis phase, with a -4% drop in consumption in quantity and -5% in value between August 2023 and July 2024. The decline is even more marked for local wines, which record a -5% decrease in volume and -6% in turnover. According to Monika Reule, director of the DWI, the causes are linked to the negative economic situation, demographic changes and changed consumer habits.

France: Wine that pays winemakers fairly An initiative between E. Leclerc and Grands Chais de France (GCF) aims to support struggling appellations (Bergerac, Bordeaux, Buzet, Corbières and Côtes-du-Rhône) by offering wines at fair prices to ensure producers are paid fairly.

EU-India: Calls for Lower Duties on Wine and Whisky The European Union is calling on India to lower duties on European wines and whiskies as part of negotiations for a free trade agreement. After recently reducing the duty on Bourbon from 150% to 100%, the EU is aiming to secure better conditions for the export of European wines to the subcontinent.

Names and Regulations

Castelli Romani designated "Italian City of Wine 2025" Thanks to their winemaking tradition, with two DOCGs and seven DOCs, Castelli Romani receives the prestigious recognition from the National Association of Cities of Wine, succeeding Barolo, Menfi and Gran Monferrato.

Primitivo di Manduria: stop to new vineyards for 5 years The Consortium for the protection of Primitivo di Manduria blocks new registrations in the wine register for the period 2025-2030 to preserve the quality and value of the denomination.

Prosecco: study of a "light" version The Prosecco DOC Consortium is exploring the possibility of a low-alcohol version, responding to the growing demand for lighter wines.

Regulations on dealcoholized wine in Italy The Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, announces a bridging regulation to accelerate the production of dealcoholized wine without constraints of separation between processing areas.

Excellences and Awards

Alto Adige Wines: 145 Top Scores in International Guides The publications "Decanter", "Wine Enthusiast", "James Suckling" and others award 145 top scores to Alto Adige wines, compared to 99 the previous year.

Vernatsch DOC 2023: seventh "kunst.stuck" from Cantina Kaltern A limited edition of Vernatsch DOC, made with selected grapes, represents the union between tradition and innovation of South Tyrolean viticulture.

Awards for the best native wines of Marche and Campania at "Io Vino 2025" The event in Rome will reward the best productions of Asprinio d'Aversa and Ribona, with a special recognition awarded by the public.

Bertani joins "Historical Families" The Bertani company joins the association created to promote Amarone della Valpolicella, while Venturini leaves the group.

Events and Tastings

Cantina Bentivoglio: "Bologna in Jazz" concert (March 7, 2025) A musical event with Michele Corcella and the "Scenario Ensemble", which blends jazz and new compositions in a context of food and wine excellence.

Cantina della Volta protagonist of "Tutto Metodo Classico" (March 20, 2025) Evening of wine study in Serravalle Scrivia with guided tastings and focus on the Classic Method.

Go Wine's "Cantine d'Italia" Guide presented in Rome The 2025 edition includes 874 wineries, 268 excellent brands and over 4,980 labels, confirming the centrality of wine tourism.

Spring Festival at Castello Bonomi (8-9 March 2025) A weekend dedicated to Franciacorta, with guided tours and exclusive food pairings.

mareMMMa 2025: record 600 wines for tasting (10 March 2025) In Alberese, the largest selection of wines from the Maremma Toscana, Montecucco and Morellino di Scansano, with 124 participating wineries.

"In-certezze" exhibition by Fabio Gismondi at Cantina Dionigi (8 March 2025) Informal pop art meets the world of wine in an exhibition curated by Paola Musio.

Innovation and Sustainability

Cantina Ventiventi: a sustainable project for the future A young company that promotes native and international vines with a view to sustainability.

Tenuta di Castellaro: a design winery in Lipari A model of sustainable architecture that combines history, landscape and advanced technology.

Companies and Investments

Campari Saves Itsself Thanks to Cognac Despite a 39% drop in profits, the group is holding up thanks to the acquisition of Courvoisier and the growth of the brand distribution sector.

Wine tourism: reflections from Langhe and Barolo The balance between tourist success and territorial identity is at the center of the debate among Piedmontese producers.

Fontanafredda: the "Renaissance of wine" in a glass of Barolo The 2021 vintage of the project dedicated to the Municipality of Serralunga d'Alba was presented in Turin, with storytelling by Chiara Gamberale and a label signed by Riccardo Guasco

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