Wine press review for Saturday, April 11, 2026!

Italian wineries

Ornellaia entrusts "La Vitality" 2023 to Marina Abramovic. The new edition of Vendemmia d'Artista interprets the 2023 Ornellaia vintage through the visual language of Marina Abramovic. The project focuses on vitality as a transformative energy, with labels and large formats conceived as an artistic and sensorial experience.

Franciacorta at Vinitaly with 36 wineries and signs of solidity. The appellation will be present in Verona with 36 wineries. Observatory data shows stable volumes, a stable average price, and growing exports, confirming Franciacorta's competitive strength in international markets.

Allegrini closes 2025 with growth and relaunches its integrated wine-hospitality model. The Allegrini family closed 2025 with revenue up 5.7% to €11.1 million. The strategy focuses on harmony between territories, hospitality, culture, and the promotion of three iconic wine regions: Valpolicella, Bolgheri, and Montalcino.

Pietrefitte Winery, a family-run business in Torrecuso. Founded from a small inherited vineyard, Pietrefitte has built a consistent winemaking philosophy over the years, focusing on native varieties such as Aglianico, Falanghina, Fiano, and Piedirosso. A family-run business that has transformed passion and local roots into a productive project.

Monchiero, a family tradition between Barolo and foreign markets. The Monchiero winery tells a story spanning generations in the Langhe, between La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. From the first bottling of Barolo in 1971 to its opening to international markets and wine tourism, its journey demonstrates continuity and the capacity for evolution.

New Poderi di Sisini awarded in Brussels The 2025 Fadas 100 % Syrah, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, won the gold medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2026. An important recognition for the Sardinian winery and for its international visibility.

Follador debuts in retail with "Prosecco by Follador." At Vinitaly, the historic company launches a new line designed for the retail channel and a broader international audience. Accessible positioning, immediate style, and a strong connection to the Italian lifestyle are the project's key elements.

Conte Collalto presents the new Ponte Rosso Extra Brut. The Susegana winery launches a new label of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Rive di Colfosco Extra-Brut. The wine is born from the valorization of a specific parcel and focuses on mineral identity, flavor tension, and a contemporary style.

La Farra brings two new wines from the heart of the UNESCO hills. The family-run winery in Farra di Soligo presents two new interpretations of Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG at Vinitaly. With 25 hectares of directly cultivated land and certified production, La Farra continues to invest in quality, sustainability, and international markets.

Sabaini takes center stage in a local wine and food pairing. The Sabaini Winery, located between Valpolicella and Soave, shines in an event dedicated to the dialogue between food and wine. The company's story unfolds through family ties, the younger generation, and the winery's ability to interpret two key Veneto appellations.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Is there an "Italian" way to drink wine? Vinitaly 2026 presents Italian wine as a symbol of good living, conviviality, and national identity. Wine is presented as an ambassador of Italian regions, culture, and cuisine, further reinforced by its UNESCO recognition.

Trentino wine exports down 17% in two years. Between 2023 and 2025, Trentino wine exports will lose approximately €75 million, with significant declines in the United States and Germany. Positive signs remain only in a few smaller markets, such as Colombia, which is showing significant growth.

At IULM, tasting is studied as an emotional experience. The Behavior and Brain Lab in Milan challenges traditional analytical tasting and studies reactions to wine using neuroscientific tools such as EEG, heart rate, and skin conductance. The goal is to understand the relationship between perception, emotion, and decision-making.

UIV brings figures on consumption, markets, and new trends to Vinitaly. Unione Italiana Vini presents analyses of consumers, exports, product mix, alcohol-free wines, and the new relationship between wine and restaurants. The focus aims to offer an anti-crisis analysis of the sector during a time of significant transformation.

Vinitaly 2026 recounts the transformations of Italian wine. On the eve of the fair, the industry emerges torn between fatigue and the will to react. Producers and experts are calling for a clear understanding of the decline in consumption, but also for a strategy capable of relaunching Italian wine with greater awareness.

Italy, world leader in production and second in exports. With 47.3 million hectoliters in 2025, Italy remains the world's leading wine producer. The sector remains strong, but must address costs, climate, tariffs, and changing consumption dynamics, focusing on exports, premiumization, and sustainability.

Alcohol-Free Wine Segment Enters Strategic Radar Alcohol-free wine is becoming one of the hot topics at Vinitaly 2026. The global market is growing, and in Italy, the new regulatory framework is opening up concrete prospects for more structured and innovation-oriented producers.

Signature wineries as a lever for positioning. A journey through architecture, landscape, and design shows how Italy's most iconic wineries become tools for territorial branding and wine tourism. From the Langhe to Barolo, the cellar's aesthetics enhance the perceived value of wine.

The latest developments from exhibiting wineries reshape the Vinitaly narrative. With new whites from Timorasso, selections of Nizza DOCG, and limited editions, Vinitaly confirms its position as a showcase for the new stylistic trends in Italian wine. The message is clear: greater identity, precision, and the valorization of individual terroirs.

Farmers can exclude properties but not land. The legislation on facilitated exclusions confirms that agricultural land remains a capital asset and cannot be excluded from individual businesses. The measure only concerns instrumental properties and remains in effect until May 31, 2026.

International

OperaWine selects 150 labels to showcase Italian wine to the world. Wine Spectator's preview confirms the international standing of Italian wine, with 150 labels and 45 debuts. The event remains one of the most prestigious platforms for the global promotion of Italian excellence.

Wine events

Vinitaly and the City brings wine to the heart of Verona and Valpolicella. Vinitaly's pop-up off-site event transforms Verona into a grand experience featuring tastings, entertainment, and culture. Among the symbolic moments are the opening toast with Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie and the immersive show "Italy Is Inside."

Emilia-Romagna at Vinitaly with 90 exhibitors and a systemic narrative. The region presents itself with growing numbers, a renovated pavilion, masterclasses, and food formats designed by Carlo Cracco. The goal is to showcase wine as part of a unique territorial ecosystem, connected to the food valley and tourism.

The Ministry of Agriculture's large bottle becomes an immersive experience. At Vinitaly 2026, Masaf presents a large installation, 10 meters high and 30 meters long, dedicated to the story of Italian wine as a synthesis of nature, art, and culture. The installation also features Roman statues from the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti.

Gambero Rosso and Andrea Gori recommend the must-see wines at the fair. The selections dedicated to the best tastings in the pavilions offer a useful compass for professionals and enthusiasts. Among the emerging trends, the potential strategic rediscovery of sweet wines is also worth noting.

IMT brings 79 Marche wineries to Verona. The Marche Wine Protection Institute (IMT) is coming to Vinitaly with a diverse presence, including a regional collective and independent stands. Tastings, masterclasses, and meetings with buyers support the Marche wine region's positioning in Italy and abroad.

Calabria on the rise between Vinitaly and wine tourism. The region will be present with over 111 wineries, including wines, spirits, and liqueurs. Wine tourism data confirms a significant growth in demand for experiences at wineries, strengthening the role of wineries as destinations.

DOC Sicilia, Alessio Planeta appointed new president of the Consortium. The Consortium for the Protection of DOC Sicilian Wines has renewed its governance structure and appointed Alessio Planeta as president. This appointment comes at a strategic moment for the denomination, which is called upon to consolidate its influence, representation, and vision.

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