Wine press review for Monday, November 10, 2025!

Italian wineries

• Cantina San Giorgio (Puglia) – The presentation of the new "Primo Fiore" was well attended; tastings were extended into Sunday due to the high turnout.
• San Michele Appiano (Alto Adige) – Appius 's vertical tasting on the eve of the Merano Wine Festival; a project from "label" to collection with a focus on the company's white wines.
• Cantina Malena (Calabria) – The “Prestige” Classic Method sparkling wine received the 2025 Platinum Award at the Merano WineFestival, the only Calabrian sparkling wine to receive a top award.
• Ettore Sammarco (Amalfi Coast) – The Selva delle Monache Ravello Rosso Riserva 2020 wins the Vinibuoni d'Italia Crown and enters the TOP 300 .
• Musikè Vini (Abruzzo) – Mourning: Peppe Vessicchio , musician and co-founder of the winery, has passed away; a project known for its refinement using natural harmonic frequencies .
• Tenute Lu Spada (Brindisi) – San Martino as a local ritual: focus on the new wine and the story of the vintage.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• Grappa PGI – National Protection Consortium established (MASAF decree of 28/10/2025): first consortium recognized in Italy in the PGI spirits segment; pomace only from grapes produced and vinified in Italy .
• Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG – Valdobbiadene Tasters Association: Technical tasting of the Extra Brut Metodo Classico ; tradition, experimentation, and quality at its core.
• Pelaverga di Verduno DOC – 31 years of “new life” and aromatic uniqueness linked to the Rotundone molecule (spicy notes): the association “ Verduno is one ” drives its diffusion in Italy and abroad.
• Oltrepò Pavese – In Slow Wine 2026 : 5 wineries and 11 top wines; snails to Agnes , Calatroni , and Picchioni ; bottles to Tenuta Mazzolino and Tenuta Frecciarossa .
• Agricultural Tax – Lombardy Regional Tax Court (ruling 682/2025): Social security contributions paid by the owner are deductible, even for family members working on a permanent basis, regardless of any explicit right of recourse.
• Communications – Simone Roveda (AIS, WSET L4) among the 2025 communicators of Bollicine del Mondo (Identità Golose): a profile that combines technical expertise and digital storytelling of wine.

International

• France – Large-scale retail trade 2025 (6 Jan–14 Sep) – Still wine sales down 3% in volume and value vs. 2024 (–8% vol on the three-year average); reds suffer the most; whites suffer 3.7% in value over three years. Prosecco booms , Champagne declines .
• Merano, a look beyond the border – Spotlight on Albania : the native Vlosh grape variety ( Cobo winery) wins you over with its identity and longevity; a critical reading by Luca Gardini .

Wine events (Italy and beyond)

• Piedmont – “The Grape Harvest in Turin” & “Portici Divini” (Nov 5–23) – Program spread throughout the city; on Nov 12 in Alba, “The Perfect Storm” conference on markets, fine wines, and wine tourism (guests: David Lemire, L. Vallarino Gancia ).
• World Wine Tourism Day (Sunday, November 9) – RECEVIN: a growing sector, estimated to be worth €2.9 billion in Italy; dozens of national events coordinated by Città del Vino .
• Friuli Venezia Giulia – Councilor Bini : Food and wine are a driving force of exports (€1.4 billion) and the primary driver of tourism; roundtable discussion at Villa De Brandis for Wine Tourism Day.
• Merano WineFestival (34th ed.) – Vinovisioni Award 2026 from Vinibuoni d'Italia to VIS for its support of the Cremisan Winery (Bethlehem): wine as an ambassador of peace .
• Mixology & Spirits – Coppa Casoni (2nd edition): selections in Milan, Rome, London, Naples ; finals December 2 in Bologna .
• Asti – “The Jewels of the Territory” (November 14–December 21) – Focus on the Asti White Truffle ; National Fair November 14–16 in Piazza Alfieri ; a continuous showcase of agricultural, food, and wine excellence.

Key signals for decision makers

• Demand polarization : in France, large-scale retail red wines are declining; white wines are holding up. Opportunities for Italian white wines and Prosecco exports, with prudent pricing.
• Protection and value : the Grappa IG Consortium aligns IG spirits with the DOP/IGP wine model: leverage for premium positioning and legal defense .
• Wine tourism : institutional push (RECEVIN, FVG) and busy calendar: space for winery-territory packages , partnerships with food events (truffles) and mixology .
• Product innovation : interest in Metodo Classico in Prosecco DOCG areas and in emerging native varieties (Vlosh) as storytelling and trade education content.

Review by QUIDQUID . Offered by WINEIDEA.IT .