Wine press review for Monday, October 20, 2025!

Welcome to QUIDQUID's curated selection: news grouped by topic, with operational summaries and "why it matters" for decision-makers in the winery and on the market.

Italian wineries

• Castello Conti (Boca DOC, NO) – Majorina vineyards "saved" by women in winemaking. Summary: Elena, Paola, and Anna Conti continue their father's legacy with the "Rosso delle donne" (Women's Red). Why it matters: viticultural heritage and the identity of a volcanic territory (porphyries from the fossil supervolcano).
• Leone de Castris (Salice Salentino, Puglia) – Interview Summary: Long-term business decision: "I chose my wine and a centuries-old history." Why it matters: Example of value positioning vs. external opportunities.
• Ômina Romana (Colli Albani, Lazio) – 2025 Harvest Summary: A balanced vintage, healthy grapes, and a promising longevity for the wines. Why it matters: Harvest validation is useful for planning releases and pricing.
• Torre Zambra / De Cerchio family (Villamagna, Abruzzo) – From tower to cellar : A family history from 1910 to a structured winemaking enterprise. Why it matters: narrative assets and local roots.
• Silvano Bolmida (Monforte d'Alba, Cuneo) – Italian Winery of the Year 2026 (Winemag) Summary: Award-winning stylistic consistency; Barolo Bussia Vigna dei Fantini 2021 Best Italian Wine 2026. Why it matters: Leverages communication and trade; strengthens high-end demand for Barolo.
• Marco Carpineti (Cori, LT) – Hospitality in the Cellar Award (Slow Wine 2026) Summary: Excellence in wine tourism hospitality. Why it matters: Best practices for monetizing winery/territory.
• Cantina San Giorgio (Faggiano, TA – Tinazzi Group) – Top 94 Sustainable Companies Summary: Equalitas certification and next-generation technologies. Why it matters: ESG credentials that can be used in large-scale retail trade and exports.
• IYO (Milan) – The Michelin-starred restaurant's wine cellar "speaks Japanese." Summary: Champagne takes center stage, with a strong international selection and sake. Why it matters: A laboratory of pairings and premium trends in fine dining.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• Forbes Italy – 100 Top Managers 2025 (Wine Share) Summary: Angelillo (Mack & Schühle), Gallo (Castello di Albola/Rocca di Montemassi), Morando (Montalbera), Romani (Argea). Why it matters: Leadership and industrial concentration in the sector.
• Verdicchio Passito "one of the best and rarest" – Santa Barbara (AN) Summary: Case history of a highly reputable niche product. Why it matters: Range expansion into high-quality dessert wines.
• Winery architecture as a "trait d'union" between landscape and wine. Summary: Design vision (Moneo) between genius loci and function. Why it matters: CAPEX becomes experiential marketing.
• Lombardy Agriculture Bonus 2025 (irrigated) – up to €800,000 Summary: IAP and agricultural companies; applications by November 26, 2025 with a Water Saving Plan on Sis.Co. Why it matters: An opportunity for water efficiency and climate resilience.
• Winemag 2026 – the watchword is "Authenticity." Summary: Recognition of territorial identity beyond the "contemporaneity" trend. Why it matters: Aligning style and communication with the guide's critical metrics.
• Gambero Rosso – Sella & Mosca among the 4 "excellent" wineries across all categories . Summary: qualitative consistency across the board (sparkling, white, red, and sweet). Why it matters: validation for complete assortments.
• Art & Wine – "Contemporary Method" and Cultural Landscape. Summary: Reinterpreting the vineyard as a cultural work. Why it matters: Connecting with museum audiences and experiential tourism.
• Sicily – "Best Wine on the Island" (ranking) Summary: Pay attention to Sicilian DOC denominations and quality standards. Why it matters: Leverage for regional storytelling and trade marketing.
• Wine prices – negative signals (Umbria data as a national symptom) Summary: grape prices plummet (-33% YoY; over 50% vs. 2023) due to structural shocks (consumption, exports, foreign exchange, tariffs). Why it matters: redefining supply policies, inventories, and channels.
• Vinarius – "Some mistakes have been made" (new president Giuliano Rossi) Summary: self-criticism on consumption, overproduction, and the relationship with young people. Why it matters: a stimulus to rethink offerings, formats, and communication.

International

• US exports – two-month summer slump: -28% in value. Summary: Average discounts of -17% do not offset tariffs (15% since August); trend from 12.5% (Q1) to -3% (8 months); September still in double-digit declines. Why it matters: Urgent need for "de-risking" strategies: portfolio mix, currency hedges, alternative markets.
• NIAF 50 Years (Washington) – Italian wine present at Vinitaly. Summary: Soft power and Italian-American relations; Frescobaldi's statements (UIV). Why it matters: Institutional relations platform for US presence despite tariffs.
• IYO / Japan–Wine Dialogue (see above) Summary: Cultural integration of wine and sake in the restaurant industry. Why it matters: Key to an Asia-oriented channel and contemporary pairings.

Wine events

• It's Time for Wine – Umbria Top Winery Tour When/Where: Umbria, published calendar. Focus: promoting Umbrian appellations; engaging new generations.
• Bagna Cauda Day 2025 When/Where: November 21–23 and 28–30 (Piedmont and the rest of the world) “Bagna della Merla” January 28–February 1, 2026. Focus: popular food and wine, 150 venues, 30,000 seats; charity and the environment.
• Castel di Sangro – "Excellence" evening with Cantina Masi . When: Friday, October 24th. Focus: tasting with carefully selected pairings.
• Enoteca Picone (Palermo) – 5 sessions to understand wine. When: November 3–17. Focus: educational tasting with Vera Bonanno and Francesco Pensovecchio.
• Laghidivini 2025 (Sardinia) – 15th edition. When/Where: November 13–17, Poggio dei Pini and Capoterra. Focus: lake wines and cultural insights (from Eleonora d'Arborea to Grazia Deledda).
• “Wine Stories” on the Ponte Coperto (PV) When: Today, 12–20. Focus: A showcase of Oltrepò and national excellence.
• November Agenda – Truffles, Oil, and Wine Highlight: November 9–10, “Taste Alto Piemonte” (Stresa, Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées). Focus: territories, denominations, and food tourism.

Editorial closure

The picture depicts supply chains that maintain quality, identity, and rewards, while international demand—primarily from the US—is forcing rapid adjustments to price lists, alternative markets, and perceived value. In Italy, the combination of authenticity and hospitality is the most solid currency for turning visits into profit margins.