Wine press review for Saturday, November 1, 2025

Italian wineries

The new grammar of wine: luxury wineries nestled between architecture and nature. Italian wineries are changing their appearance: the new luxury is underground. Underground cellars, in addition to charm and silence, offer energy savings and an immersive experience for wine tourists. According to Nomisma Wine Monitor, over 75% of wineries have invested in wine tourism and infrastructure in the last three years, with an average expenditure of €100 per visitor. The cellars of the future will be dug into the earth, not just for aesthetics, but for strategy.

Ferrari Brut Wins World Champion of Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wines. Another triumph for the Lunelli Group: at Tom Stevenson's Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships , the Ferrari Brut Magnum was crowned "World Champion of Blanc de Blancs." The Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2004 also won the "Library Vintage Trophy." Ferrari Trento thus confirms its position as a global benchmark for mountain sparkling wines.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

The season of great Italian wines opens, from reds to sparkling wines . Autumn is the season of full-bodied reds and elegant bubbles. Barolo DOCG, Nebbiolo delle Langhe, and Albarossa from Piedmont showcase the tradition and modernity of Italian wine in a journey that unites landscape, flavor, and culture.

Collio tells its story through a glass: 10 bottles of Friulano that will win you over . Collio Evolution , an event dedicated to the region's iconic grape variety, makes its debut in Cormons. A shared narrative of producers and tasters, featuring over two hundred wines sampled, to rediscover the memory and identity of Friulano.

Italy's wine industry faces exorbitant markups, wine tourism needs to be developed, and the South needs to be promoted. Helmuth Köcher, president of the Merano Wine Festival, adds: "We have biodiversity and extraordinary products, but we're lagging behind in tourism and promotion. The South and small formats could be the key."

Wine in 300 words: Lanario Sangiovese 2021 Poggio alle Monache A Sangiovese from the Crete Senesi that tastes like home: elegant, consistent, and powerful, perfect with Sunday lasagna.

Sugar in wine and mandatory labeling. Celso Vassalini offers a reflection: more attention is needed for those who must limit sugar and gluten. Educating people about inclusive and mindful eating habits also involves choosing less sugary wines and sparkling wines.

Wine and pairings: out with the clichés. Enough with gastronomic dogma: oysters and champagne are not a forced marriage. The new freedom of taste comes from personal pleasure, not convention.

International

Tariffs, EU working on exemptions for wine and spirits. European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič reaffirms the European Union's commitment to exempting wine and spirits from tariffs with the US. The goal is to protect European exports, in line with Tajani's plan for €700 billion in exports by 2027.

UIV: "We need an alliance with the American trade union to combat tariffs." After meeting with Šefčovič and ministers Lollobrigida and Tajani, the president of the Italian Wine Union, Lamberto Frescobaldi, called for more effective economic diplomacy. "Every dollar invested in European wine generates $4.50 for the US economy."

Fine wines: changing tastes and challenges for the market's future. The London Fine Wine Trends Report from London-based club 67 Pall Mall portrays a sophisticated consumer: less quantity, more authenticity. English sparkling wines and South African wines are growing, while Italy and Sicily remain key players. Confidence in the "en primeur" system is declining, and interest in lighter, more authentic, and sustainable wines is growing.

Wine events

Back to the Wine 2025: Wine as a Cultural and Relational Value in Venice. On November 9th and 10th, Terminal 103 in Venice hosts Back to the Wine , a fair dedicated to natural and independent wine. One hundred producers from across Italy will showcase wine as a language of relationships and identity. An event for professionals and enthusiasts, featuring tastings and meetings.

Gambero Rosso's Best Wine Bars in Italy: Fourteen establishments earn "Three Bottles" in the 2025 Ristoranti d'Italia guide. New entries include I Cugini di Torino in Nizza Monferrato, Garofalo Wine 1876 in Avellino, and Vinoveritas in Palermo. Verona's Antica Bottega del Vino confirms its status as a wine monument.

Showcased by WINEIDEA.IT QUIDQUID – where wine is culture, economy, and vision.