Wine press review for Saturday, January 24, 2026!

Italian wineries

VentiVenti Winery abandons certified organic production. "Organic isn't enough": the young Modena-based winery specializing in Metodo Classico is abandoning certification to focus on integrated pest management. This is an interesting sign of a rethinking of sustainability models in Lambrusco.

Cirò DOC to grow strongly (24%) in 2025. Sales exceeded 4 million bottles, driven by Cirò Rosso. The Consortium plans events in Rome, Bologna, and Milan to strengthen its national positioning.

Abbazia di Novacella: style, identity, and future. Freshness, fruit, and minerality are the guiding principles of this historic South Tyrolean winery. Focus on verticality and territorial coherence in the Isarco Valley.

Viarte turns 50 and accelerates its €8.5 million investment, a newly renovated cellar, and a target of 300,000 bottles by 2026. The Polegato family has developed a relaunch strategy.

Cantine Due Palme: Melissa Maci confirmed as president. Continuity at the helm of the cooperative during a challenging period for the sector, with a focus on sustainability and value for money.

Bertolani Alfredo awarded in the 2026 Vitae Guide. The 2021 Brut di Spergola obtains 94 points and the 4 AIS Viti: recognition of excellence for an Emilian sparkling wine undergoing strong qualitative growth.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Women and "heroic" and sustainable viticulture. Organic, natural, and mountain viticulture as an environmental and cultural asset. Over 127,000 hectares of organic vineyards in Italy: a European record and female leadership for change.

Phytosanitary emergencies: January 2026 update. Bacillus thuringiensis approved in Sardinia to combat cork oak defoliants; experimental peptide on tomatoes halted. Clear signals on integrated emergency management.

Wine & Criticism: No Unanimity Among the Nine National Guides . A lack of consensus on top wineries and labels. This is indicative of the "fluid" phase of criticism and the shift in winemaking styles.

Global passion for Italian wine is growing online (20%). In 2025, searches for "Italian Wine" will boom on Google Trends. Wine tourism, conviviality, and digital are driving the international imagination.

Wine Proposal: 2025 Balance Sheet and 2026 Trends . Slight growth in turnover (1%) and a moderately positive outlook for 2026. Focus: young consumers, new consumption opportunities, and premium spirits.

Alberto Lusini (Angelini Wines & Estates): "We need pop wines." Drinkability, accessibility, and consumption opportunities are key strategic keys to the future of large winemaking groups.

Italian wine numbers and geopolitics: Exports will exceed €8.1 billion in 2024. Global leadership confirmed, but international tensions and evolving consumption are ushering in a transitional phase.

Fake Chianti alert online: Over 2,500 pieces of illicit content identified in six months. Digital counterfeiting and trademark misuse are being monitored by the Consortium.

PIWI: Awards and New Resistant Varieties The 5th PIWI Wine Show was a success, along with the presentation of the three-year “Spumares” project for sparkling wines made from resistant grape varieties.

Pievalta among James Suckling's Top 100 Value Wines The 2021 Castelli di Jesi San Paolo Riserva Verdicchio enters the international ranking, confirming the excellence of Italian whites.

International

The highest vineyard in the world is in Tibet At 3,700 meters in the Shannan region: new extreme frontiers of Chinese viticulture with eight operating companies.

Nicolas Joly speaks out against modern viticulture : "Standardized wines and a market in crisis": the biodynamic pioneer relaunches the debate between naturalness, style, and economic sustainability.

The United States is moving toward 100% American wines. A bill is being proposed to ban foreign grapes from "American" wines. Potentially significant impact on imports and global supply chains.

Vinho dos Mortos: Portugal's Buried Wine A unique tradition born to save wine during invasions: today, only one winery keeps this historic practice alive.

Wine events

Consorzio Vini Venezia at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Official tasting on February 19th at Casa Veneto to showcase the five appellations of the Serenissima to an international audience.

Natural Evolution 2026 in Grottaglie. Seventh edition dedicated to artisanal wine: Fuori Salone, tastings, workshops, and dialogue between producers and the local area.

Vinario4: a new wine shop is born. A cultural and educational project combining communication, events, and a community of enthusiasts, focusing on craftsmanship and local tradition.

Kiwon, a Korean wine bar in Milan. A new format combining Korean cuisine and European natural wines: an urban laboratory combining fermentation, bistro, and wine bar.

This edition captures a clear picture of a structural transition in Italian wine : sustainability under review, fragmented criticism, exports still solid but geopolitically fragile, and a strong buzz around events, formats, and new generations. A fertile ground for those who manage operations, positioning, and investments with a long-term vision.