Wine press review for Friday, May 22, 2026!

Cantine Aperte 2026 focuses on wellness and experiences

The Wine Tourism Movement is relaunching the Cantine Aperte format, transforming wineries into places dedicated to wellness, nature, and immersive experiences: yoga among the vines, trekking, e-biking, cooking classes, and tastings are becoming central to contemporary wine tourism.

La Scolca celebrates Mario Soldati

The celebrations for Mario Soldati's 120th birthday, promoted by Chiara Soldati of La Scolca, kicked off in Rome. The focus is on the connection between wine, culture, territory, and the authenticity of the Italian wine story.

The rural luxury of the Langhe

The Ceretto family is developing the “Le Brunate” project, a new hospitality model that integrates wine, cuisine, art, and landscape, transforming the vineyard into a complete cultural experience.

Roberto Giacobbo, wine producer in Puglia

Journalist and TV writer Roberto Giacobbo enters the world of wine with the "Torreclava" project together with the Faretra family in Puglia, focusing on organic production and territorial valorization.

Brunello di Montalcino: 2026 Yield Reduction Confirmed

The Brunello di Montalcino Wine Consortium confirms the reduction in yields from 80 to 70 quintals per hectare for the 2026 harvest, a measure designed to protect the quality, production balance, and value of the denomination.

Planeta combines wine and contemporary art

Planeta Winery is organizing a tour of vineyards, contemporary art, and tastings at Buonivini during Cantine Aperte 2026.

Cantina Produttori Fregona relaunches its Torchiato DOCG.

The Fregona cooperative promotes Torchiato DOCG Piera Dolza, a historic local passito wine produced with native grape varieties such as Glera, Boschera, and Verdiso.

Marchesini reconfirmed as head of the Valpolicella Consortium

Christian Marchesini will remain president of the Valpolicella Wine Consortium until 2028. His goals include international promotion and the UNESCO nomination for the grape drying ritual.

The historic Porta Romana winery closes.

After 25 years, one of Teramo's iconic restaurants is closing its doors, reflecting on the city's changing landscape and the loss of its local gastronomic identity.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

2026 Assoenologi Congress in Conegliano

The 79th Assoenologi Congress will address key issues in the sector: young consumers, health, climate, sustainability, low-alcohol wines, varietal innovation, and the future of international markets.

Mediobanca: Italian wine revenues down 2.8% in 2025

According to the Mediobanca report, the main Italian wine groups saw a 2.8% decline in turnover, with exports slowing, especially to the United States and Europe. Horeca, wine bars, and online sales also declined.

Italian white wines remain undervalued abroad

Analysis of the international positioning of Italian white wines: recognized quality but still penalized by languages and cultural perceptions that favor international grape varieties like Chardonnay.

Growing interest in low-alcohol wines at origin

More and more Italian wineries are experimenting with low-alcohol wines, developed directly in the vineyard and cellar, rather than simply through subsequent dealcoholization.

New EU limits on copper in vineyards

New European limits on copper residues will come into force in 2026. Precision viticulture, digital records, and proper system calibration are becoming increasingly important.

CMO Wine Promotion Third Countries 2026/2027

Applications for CMO Wine grants dedicated to promotion on non-EU markets are open from May 21 to June 26, 2026.

The best Sardinian wines according to a comparative test

Of the more than 100 labels analyzed, Cannonau, Vermentino, and Torbato from companies such as Argiolas and Sella & Mosca stand out for their quality and pleasantness.

Librandi takes center stage with its 2021 Cirò Riserva

Librandi's Cirò Classico Superiore Riserva Duca Sanfelice 2021 received excellent reviews, describing it as elegant, persistent, and offering excellent value for money.

Hugo Spritz continues its summer boom

The Hugo Spritz confirms its success as a light and aromatic cocktail born in Alto Adige, increasingly present in European summer aperitifs.

International

United Kingdom: wine production boom

The United Kingdom is expected to record its second-largest harvest in history in 2025, with a 55% production rate and over 16.5 million bottles, thanks to favorable weather conditions and the growth of English sparkling wine.

Dom Pérignon and Tilda Swinton at the Guggenheim in Bilbao

Dom Pérignon presents an artistic performance at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao with Tilda Swinton dedicated to the relationship between Champagne, art, and contemporary creativity.

Wine events

Vini Vaganti brings natural wines to Lecce

The event dedicated to artisanal wines returns to Lecce, featuring traveling tastings and producers from all over Italy.

Cori Civitas Vini celebrates biodiversity and territory

Two days of tastings, guided tours, masterclasses, and promotion of Bellone and Nero Buono wines in Lazio.

Open Cellars 2026: Sicily Heads for a Record

Over 30 Sicilian wineries will participate in the 2026 edition of Cantine Aperte, marking the growth of regional wine tourism.

Preview of the Open Cellars for Meyer

At the Valdichiana Designer Village, over 20 wineries will be hosting charity tastings in support of Meyer Hospital.

Umbria Wine Tourism Movement

More than 40 Umbrian wineries will be involved in tastings, vineyard picnics, e-bikes, and hospitality throughout the Montefalco, Orvieto, and Lake Trasimeno areas.

Wine Street Tasting brings life to Asti

Forty-one venues are part of the city's largest food and wine district, dedicated to wine, Piedmontese cuisine, and international street food.

Mandrarossa Literary Award

Mandrarossa is reviving the dialogue between wine and culture with the "La Sicilia che non ti aspetti" Literary Prize, scheduled for Selinunte on July 25, 2026.

AIS Agrigento visits Masseria del Feudo

The AIS Agrigento course concluded with an educational visit to Masseria del Feudo, an example of organic farming and territorial innovation.

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