Wine press review for Friday, April 17, 2026!

Italian wineries

Masciarelli and the strategy of wine by the glass: Marina Cvetic relaunches the theme of restaurants as a commercial lever: according to the Abruzzo-based producer, even high-end labels must be offered by the glass to capture new consumption and respond to the slowdown in the sector.

Valdo Spumanti honored for 100 years of excellence. At Vinitaly 2026, Treviso-based Valdo Spumanti received the special "Vinitaly – 100 Years of Excellence" award, a recognition that recognizes a century of history, international growth, and entrepreneurial vision in the world of Prosecco Superiore.

Classese, the Oltrepò Pavese region presents its 40 pioneers. The Oltrepò Pavese Consortium is launching the first bottles of Classese at Vinitaly, the new Pinot Noir-based classic method intended to strengthen the region's identity and visibility. Forty wineries are already participating in the project.

Herita Marzotto expands in the United States. The Veneto-based group is accelerating its presence in America with the acquisition of Domaine Lumineux in Oregon, formerly owned by Francis Ford Coppola. This transaction confirms its commitment to consolidating its position in one of the most renowned areas for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Alto Adige wines on tour with Italian cuisine The Alto Adige Wine Consortium launches "The Alto Adige You Don't Expect," a calendar of traveling dinners showcasing the versatility of Alto Adige wines paired with iconic dishes from Italy's regions.

Sicilian wineries take center stage in Verona. Sicily presents itself at Vinitaly with 164 wineries and a rich program of masterclasses, panels, and initiatives dedicated to the sector's new challenges, including wine tourism, organic farming, and local development.

Lento Winery on the Papal Flight Two Calabrian labels from the Lento winery in Lamezia Terme, the Rosà di Lento and the pure Magliocco, were selected for the onboard service of the papal flight to Africa, strengthening the winery's international profile.

Crifo launches Rosso di Seta. The historic Ruvo di Puglia winery presents a new label at Vinitaly designed to appeal to a younger, more female audience, without sacrificing its connection to local tradition.

Fasoli Gino is among Forbes' 21 must-visit wineries in the world. This Verona-based winery has received international recognition, not only for the quality of its wines but also for the hospitality experience built around the Magari Estates Hotel, in the heart of the Illasi Valley.

Terredora Di Paolo looks to a female future. Daniela Mastroberardino confirms the winery's positioning as an example of a company capable of innovating while maintaining a strong connection with tradition.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Double pruning and two harvests per year. Climate change is prompting new technical considerations in the vineyard. Double pruning is proposed as a possible response to the early growth cycle, to limit the effects of high temperatures on grape quality.

Wine is changing tone, style, and strength. At Vinitaly 2026, a sector emerges that remains central but speaks new languages: greater attention to experience, storytelling, and low- and no-alcohol categories, while interest in spirits and mixology is growing.

Female leadership leads to stronger, more forward-thinking companies. Research presented at Vinitaly by Mib Trieste and Le Donne del Vino highlights that the growth of female leadership leads to more advanced governance models, greater attention to human capital, and a more long-term vision.

The Leonardo Awards celebrate Italian wine and food. Among the protagonists of the 2026 edition are Marchesi Frescobaldi, awarded as a historic company, and companies that combine wine, catering and lifestyle such as Oniverse and Da Vittorio.

The 40 Under 40 of Taste The generational turnover in wine continues to show positive signs: young producers, often under 30 and with a strong female presence, are demonstrating an increasingly competent, courageous, and distinctive approach.

Energy Efficiency in the Winery: At Vinitaly, ENEA presents a practical guide to help Italian wineries reduce energy consumption and costs, improving competitiveness and sustainability with already applicable solutions.

Erbaluce di Caluso, the strength of the late harvest Cantina 366's "Scelte di Vite d'Ottobre 2021" label offers an advanced interpretation of Erbaluce: neither a passito nor a sparkling wine, but a late-harvest wine, complex and capable of expressing great aromatic depth.

Great white wines that defy time. The vertical tasting of Terlano's Vorberg presented at Vinitaly relaunches the theme of long-aging Italian whites, demonstrating that some labels can evolve for over twenty years while maintaining their identity and tension.

Leonardo Marras and Graziana Grassini also appear among the 100 most influential names in Italian wine, confirming the growing importance of Maremma in the national wine system.

Native Calabrian Grape Varieties: A Heritage to Be Rediscovered Vinitaly once again focuses on the value of Calabria's native grape varieties, considered by international observers to be an important key to understanding the deepest roots of Italian wine.

The wine system under pressure. According to the UCI, the main risks for the sector currently stem from the climate, production model, and market tensions. The sector requires structural interventions to avoid a progressive weakening in the long term.

International

Vinitaly closes with 90,000 attendees. The 2026 edition closed with 90,000 visitors overall, 26% of whom came from 135 countries. Strong participation from international buyers, confirming the fair's role as a platform for the internationalization of Italian wine.

America is strategic for Italian groups The acquisition of Herita Marzotto in Oregon confirms that the United States remains a decisive axis for the growth of large Italian wine companies, despite the complex international context and fears linked to tariffs.

Italian wine between geopolitics and the global economy The 2026 Wine Power List crowns American importer Victor Owen Schwartz in first place, highlighting how the wine supply chain is increasingly influenced by international trade dynamics.

Wine events

Vinitaly 2026, a positive final outcome. The 58th edition closes with solid results and a strong international profile. For Veneto Governor Alberto Stefani, the event must increasingly become a "Veneto Agora," a place for discussion, business, and regional identity.

The Political and Symbolic Side of Vinitaly On the final day, Stefani reiterated Vinitaly's value as a showcase for the region and also shared his more personal side, citing Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone among his favorite wines.

The "cringe" of Vinitaly 2026 Between questionable slogans, over-the-top communication campaigns, and questionable statements, the more ironic and controversial side of the Verona fair is not missing this year either.

Grand Tasting of Great Italian Vintages Among Vinitaly's flagship tastings, "Eccellenze d'Italia" brought together historic wineries and iconic wines from Alto Adige, Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily, and other major Italian wine regions.

Only Wine 2026 looks to young producers From April 25th to 27th, the market exhibition dedicated to young winemakers and small emerging wineries returns to Città di Castello, increasingly a point of reference for authenticity and new energy in the sector.

Sicilia DOC at Milan Design Week The Sicilia DOC Consortium participates in the Fuorisalone in the Brera Design District with events that intertwine wine, design, music, and contemporary lifestyle, strengthening the presence of wine in urban and creative contexts.

Women of Wine from the Marche region at Vinitaly: Leadership, territory, and wine tourism are the focus of the meeting promoted by the association's Marche delegation, focusing on the role of women as interpreters of biodiversity, culture, and new entrepreneurial visions.

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