Wine press review for Saturday, February 28, 2026!

Italian wineries

• Baglio di Pianetto – Doc Sicilia Rosso Viafrancia 2022 Tasting of the 2022 version of the red wine made from Nero d'Avola and Syrah: intense profile, aged in wood and strong territorial identity from the Palermo hinterland.
• Bibbiano – Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Capannino 2021 A story that intertwines history, landscape, and style, following in the footsteps of Giulio Gambelli and a family tradition that dates back to 1865.
• Laura Aschero – Vermentino della Riviera Ligure In a former warehouse in the province of Imperia, one of the most representative Vermentinos of Western Liguria is born, combining family roots and stylistic continuity.
• Donegato Winery (Romagna) The young winery of the Berretti brothers turns one and presents five new labels, strengthening the cellar-hospitality-landscape model.
• Cantina Girlan – Piz Rosé A new interpretation of Pinot Noir in rosé, which responds to market evolution with freshness, altitude and South Tyrolean identity.
• Cantina di Venosa The Lucanian cooperative is preparing for ProWein Düsseldorf and is looking decisively at foreign markets, primarily Germany and China.
• Terre d'Oltrepò Spa: Full payment of receivables from the 2024 harvest confirmed through the liquidation process; the option of joining Collis is open.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• Hero-Vine in the Cinque Terre: A pilot project has been launched to introduce drones and precision agriculture to Liguria's terraced vineyards, aiming for resilience, sustainability, and landscape protection.
• Resistance Inducers in Viticulture Technical focus on the “timing” of the use of substances that stimulate the vine's natural defenses against pathogens such as downy mildew.
• Organic wine and out-of-home Nomisma 2025 data confirm the growth of organic wine (€6.9 billion), but still indicate ample room for development in the restaurant industry and in conscious consumption.
• Why a methanol-like scandal can't happen again today. Analysis of regulatory developments, controls, and the role of the ICQRF and certification bodies in protecting the supply chain.
• ICQRF label and code Explanation of why, in some cases, the manufacturer's name may be replaced by an identification code.
• 2025 Harvest in Puglia Record production (11 million hectoliters), but high stocks and weak exports pose a structural problem of balance between volumes and the market.
• Economic Outlook for Italian Wine: In 2025, more than half of wineries will break even; stability is expected for 2026, with continued investment in marketing and sales.
• Research on UV-C light and grape quality. A study in Bolgheri shows how the targeted use of light can improve aromatic profile and color, reducing the need for fungicides.

International

• France: Consumption in sharp decline and young people away from wine. Structural data show a decline in consumption, vineyard area, and the attractiveness of vineyard work, while uprooting and reforms continue.
• Canada, wine grows thanks to US tariffs. US tariffs unexpectedly favor the Canadian wine sector, with concrete results on the market.
• New frontiers of European wine Romania, Portugal and other countries are emerging as qualitative and affordable alternatives to traditional markets.
• Çobo Winery (Albania) A project that enhances native grape varieties and the territory, connecting tradition and contemporary vision in the heart of the Balkans.
• Napa Valley under pressure The drop in prices at Premiere Napa Valley and the divestments of large groups signal a crisis in the standardized “wine-product” model.

Wine events

• mareMMMa – The nature of wine The Maremma event doubles: two days (1–2 March) in Alberese with 113 companies and 582 wines, including the public and operators.
• Open Vineyards 2026 From March to October, the Wine Tourism Movement format returns, with immersive experiences also designed for Gen Z and advanced wine tourism.
• World's Best Sommeliers' Selection 2026 Italy at the top with 20 labels selected, thanks to the choices of the best international sommeliers.
• Simply the Best – Milan, March 30 Italy's most awarded wineries gathered at the Cavallerizze of the National Museum of Science and Technology.
• Paestum Wine Fest Business 2026 Italian wine is told among the temples of Magna Graecia, from March 1st to 3rd in Capaccio Paestum.
• Andar per Cantine Live – Livorno A new format dedicated to wine tourism, with tastings, talks, wine cards, and a focus on the winery experience.
• Rimini Hills Wine and Flavor Route New Board of Directors with a strong focus on winemaking, confirming the strategic importance of wine for the area.

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