Wine press review for Saturday, May 9, 2026!

Italian wineries

Andreola, the heroic winery of Valdobbiadene DOCG. In the heart of the UNESCO Prosecco Superiore hills, Andreola confirms its heroic viticulture model: 110 hectares of vineyards, approximately 250 parcels, and nearly 980,000 bottles annually. Quality comes from challenging slopes, manual labor, and a strong territorial identity.

Conte Vistarino focuses on premium Pinot Noir. In Oltrepò Pavese, the historic estate led by Ottavia Vistarino strengthens its premium positioning, reducing volumes and enhancing the Bertone, Tavernetto, and Pernice crus. Pinot Noir becomes a strategic link between history, elegance, and high-end dining.

Kettmeir renovates its winery with technology and storytelling. The historic South Tyrolean winery, part of the Herita Marzotto group, has completed a major renovation of its winery, with an investment of nearly €10 million. The goal: to enhance its mountain bubbles with gentle technology and a more engaging experience for the public.

Casa Paladin looks to 2026 between family roots and new projects. The Veneto-based group continues to grow by promoting diverse territories, from the parent company in Annone Veneto to the Franciacorta of Castello Bonomi, where a 2011 Riserva with over 120 months on the lees was presented.

Mosnel in Franciacorta promotes biodiversity and landscape. The winery confirms the importance of the coexistence of forests and vineyards. An increasingly relevant model, where biodiversity, climate balance, and agronomic quality become concrete tools for strengthening the vineyard.

Vicobarone Winery Improves Grape Prices. The Piacenza cooperative reverses course: the average price of grapes from the 2025 harvest rises to €43 per quintal, compared to €34 the previous year. This is a positive sign for the 125 contributing members.

La Calcinara and the Conero Rosé In the Marche region, La Calcinara's Mun rosé joins the new Conero Rosato DOCG. This represents an important step for a pure Montepulciano wine, already considered one of Italy's best rosés for its quality-price ratio.

Gran Premio Metodo Classico Pas Dosé debuts in Puglia. A new limited-edition winemaking project, created by Titti Dell'Erba and Irene Sindaco, is born, featuring a Metodo Classico Pas Dosé blend of Fiano and Aglianico vinified as a white wine. The 48-month sur lie version is being previewed.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Fine wines, the secondary market restarts with Italy and Champagne in the spotlight. The Liv-Ex shows signs of recovery after the first four months of 2026. Italy stands out with labels such as Bruno Giacosa's Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva 2016, Bartolo Mascarello's Barolo 2019, Masseto 2022, and Soldera Case Basse.

Wine and art, an increasingly strategic connection . More and more Italian wineries are investing in the relationship between wine, art, and territory. From Antinori to Planeta, from Ca' del Bosco to Ceretto, art becomes a tool for identity, communication, and tourism development.

Lugana VITAE, the scientific map of the denomination is born. The Lugana Consortium presents a research project dedicated to the relationship between soil, climate, and grape variety. The goal is to develop a true scientific identity card for the denomination, useful for both production and communication.

The mystery of the "punt" under the bottle The recessed bottom of bottles arises from technical and historical reasons: stability, resistance to pressure, and the tradition of glassblowing. Today, however, in many productions, it tends to be reduced for economic and environmental reasons.

Independent Winemakers: Entrepreneurial Continuity Prevails. According to the SDA Bocconi analysis of FIVI winemakers, the majority of companies have no ongoing capital transactions. This data confirms a strong desire for continuity and entrepreneurial independence.

Etruscan wine returns to Manciano. A cultural event dedicated to the production and consumption of wine 2,500 years ago brings attention to the profound connection between wine, archaeology, and territorial identity.

Italian agri-food exports exceed €70 billion . The Italian food & beverage sector confirms its strength: exports will exceed €70 billion in 2025. Sustainability, innovation, and quality remain the key drivers of growth.

Young people and agriculture: only 9% choose the fields. The CIA survey highlights the difficulty the agricultural sector faces in attracting young people. However, agriculture and innovation can become a new field, where artificial intelligence can support, without replacing, human labor.

International

Burgundy, the paradox that supports prices. Burgundy grows because it can't. With historic borders and essentially immutable appellations, supply remains limited while international demand continues to support the value of the most prestigious wines.

EU-Mercosur, tariff agreement and new trade prospects. The agreement between the European Union and Mercosur provides for the progressive elimination of most tariffs between the two blocs. This opens up opportunities for the European agri-food sector, but also raises questions about competition and the protection of production.

US tariffs, uncertainty weighs on Italian wine. Unione Italiana Vini, with its president Lamberto Frescobaldi, emphasizes how the decisions and judicial rejections in the United States are increasing uncertainty for Italian companies, already exposed to a strategic market.

Vinitaly relaunches its promotion in Brazil and China. After Vinitaly 2026, Veronafiere is restarting with Wine South America in Brazil and Wine to Asia in Shenzhen. South America and Asia remain areas with high potential for diversifying Italian wine exports.

Loire, growing interest in Marie-Lise and Thomas Batardière The wines of the French couple confirm the allure of the small artisanal Loire productions, increasingly sought-after and often the object of close attention from enthusiasts and collectors.

Bad Ragaz, the problem of margins in the restaurant industry. A Swiss restaurant reignites the debate over the decline in alcohol consumption in restaurants. Without beverages, especially wine and spirits, the profitability of the restaurant industry becomes more fragile.

Krug recounts the philosophy of the House Olivier Krug and Julie Cavil open the doors of the Maison de Famille, confirming the value of hospitality, memory and blending as central elements of the Krug legend.

Farewell to Roberto Mostini Roberto Mostini, food critic and expert on French wines, has passed away. A free and knowledgeable figure, he played a leading role in Italian food and wine communication.

Wine events

ReWine Canavese 2026 at Ivrea Castle. The sixth edition of the event showcases Alpine wine and the Canavese winemaking heritage, with tastings, cultural events, and opportunities for learning.

Matasci Open Cellars in Ticino On Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th, Matasci Vini opens the doors of its Tenero winery with tastings, tours, and new labels, including Selezione d'Ottobre Rosato and Keramis Bianco.

Borgo Conventi celebrates Cantine Aperte on May 30th and 31st. The Friulian winery, part of the Villa Sandi group, offers tours, tastings, live music, and a food workshop dedicated to 'likrofi.

Benetton Foundation: Wine, Landscape, and Architecture From May 23 to August 2, Ca' Scarpa in Treviso hosts the exhibition “Cultures and Landscapes of Wine,” dedicated to the relationship between architecture, vineyard landscapes, and production identity.

Final summary

Today's review highlights a wine sector increasingly divided between rarity, terroir, and storytelling. On the one hand, fine wines, Burgundy, and the most iconic Italian labels, are growing; on the other, wineries are investing in biodiversity, technology, art, architecture, and hospitality.

The message is clear: wine is no longer just a product, but a system. Those who succeed in combining territorial identity, entrepreneurial vision, and international markets will gain greater strength in the coming years.

Today's wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .