Wine press review for Saturday, February 21, 2026!

Italian wineries

Piedmont: The Barolo "bubble" bursts . Record inventories, declining demand, and sharply declining grape prices. Barolo and Barbaresco are leading a structural crisis that also affects Barbera and Moscato. Consortia are calling for urgent action: without support for winemakers, even premium wines are at risk.

Montefiascone, the relaunch of the Cantina dell'EST! EST!! EST!!! is underway. Major modernization and regulatory compliance work will restore dignity to a landmark structure in the area after years of neglect.

Lerma, mountain winery up for sale after bankruptcy. A public project worth approximately €1 million, created to enhance local viticulture, concludes with the sale of the property following its 2019 bankruptcy.

Pasqua Vini 's "Fuori Carta" is born . The project linked to the Passito di Pantelleria "Sangue d'Oro" was presented in Paris, with Carole Bouquet as partner of the initiative: a cultural and gastronomic reinterpretation of a great Italian sweet wine.

Ronco della Chiesa, a symbolic Collio vineyard at risk. The renowned Borgo del Tiglio cru is threatened by safety measures following the Brazzano landslide. This issue intertwines land protection, viticultural heritage, and environmental safety.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Made in Italy exports: historic record in 2025. According to Istat, exports will reach €643 billion (3.3%). "Beautiful and well-made" Italian products are also holding up in non-EU markets, overcoming—for now—the impact of US tariffs.

US tariffs: Supreme Court blocks, but uncertainty remains. For Unione Italiana Vini and its president, Lamberto Frescobaldi, the sector cannot celebrate: possible reintroduction of tariffs and unstable climate in EU-US relations. Montalbera and Bottega hold similar positions.

NoLow vs. wine: the comparison is not ideological. The EU regulatory framework officially opens up to dealcoholized and partially dealcoholized wines. This is a legitimate category, but it cannot be compared to traditional wine: the issue is one of culture, positioning, and market.

The best whites of the Western Riviera Gambero Rosso shines a spotlight on Vermentino and Pigato between Imperia and Savona, confirming the strong identity of Ligurian whites.

International

Italian wine must "team up" like sport. A clear message from the talk on the "Olympic spirit": diversify markets beyond the US and Europe, working in synergy between companies, institutions, and large platforms like Vinitaly and ICE.

Wine Paris 2026: Six key trends from the heart of the global market. The Parisian fair confirms its central role: lightness, reinterpretations of classics, new consumption styles. Record numbers of visitors, exhibitors, and business meetings.

“Wine Experience” Road Show: London, then Vietnam and Mexico. A new international platform for Italian wine, debuting in London in April and focusing on high-potential emerging markets.

Montalcino relaunches its presence in the United States. The Brunello Consortium returns to investing in the USA with Benvenuto Brunello in New York and a masterclass in Texas, confirming the strategic importance of the American market.

Wine events

Measurable Sustainability: LIFE VitiCaSe Conference in Siena (February 27) Regenerative viticulture, carbon farming, and carbon credits will be the focus of the meeting promoted by the Siena Farmers' Union.

Introduction to wine in Villanova Mondovì. Four lessons with guided tastings to learn the method, language, and awareness of the wine glass.

Sannio Top Wines 2026 in Benevento (February 25) The labels awarded by international guides and competitions will be on display: Falanghina and Aglianico remain the beacons of a growing territory.

The Great Vertical Tastings of the Cities of Wine – a stop in Palazzolo dello Stella. Unusual pairings and native wines take center stage at Tenuta Aganis, a celebration of local culture.

Slow Wine Fair 2026 in Bologna (22–24 February) Large regional presence: Piedmont, Abruzzo and Umbria bring the theme of “good, clean and fair” wine to the fair, including sustainability, social justice and the supply chain.

Vinifera becomes FuoriVinifera in Mezzocorona (21–22 March) An event spread across the Piana Rotaliana to tell the wines of the Alpine arc in a more intimate way and consistent with the artisanal spirit of the event.

Agri-aperitif in the Euganean Hills at Cà Vendalis. Conviviality, house wine, and simple products: a return to slowness as an experiential value.

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