Wine press review for Sunday, April 5, 2026!

Italian wineries

Terre del Barolo: Revenue and profits on the rise. The Langhe cooperative winery closed its latest fiscal year with positive results: revenue of nearly €22 million (up 8%) and net profit of €2.7 million , compared to €2.3 million the previous year. Despite tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and declining purchasing power, management confirms its commitment to continuing to invest .

Florio Wineries relaunches Marsala at Vinitaly. The historic Sicilian winery presents a new, contemporary interpretation of Marsala in Verona. The focus is on the "Vino Florio" project, alongside the New Geography line, which showcases the wine's diverse expressions through long aging in wood.

Cantina Tollo distributes Champagne Le Mesnil in Italy. The Abruzzo-based group becomes the exclusive distributor of Champagne Grand Cru Le Mesnil , a cooperative in the Côte des Blancs. The agreement will be presented at Vinitaly along with the new TO be – Fresh & Light line, designed for the international market and younger consumers.

Vernaccia Serra revamps and wins the 2026 Vinitaly Design Award. The F.lli Serra di Zeddiani winery has launched a major rebranding of its range and won gold at the Vinitaly Design Award . The Sardinian winery, among the first to obtain the Vernaccia di Oristano DOC in 1971, is focusing on a new identity and commercial innovation.

The rebirth of viticulture on the island of Capraia. The La Mursa winery, founded by Francesco Cerri and Gianna Zito, represents an example of the revival of heroic viticulture in the Tuscan Archipelago, bringing wine production back to an island characterized by volcanic soils and extreme conditions.

Franciacorta: the history of the Enrico Gatti winery. In Erbusco, in the heart of Franciacorta, the winery founded by Enrico Gatti continues its family tradition of producing classic method sparkling wines , contributing to the region's growth as a top-notch wine tourism and production destination.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Trentodoc: turnover stable at €180 million in 2025. These mountain sparkling wines confirm the sector's solidity, with 12.2 million bottles sold and a value of €180 million , maintaining their position in the premium segment of classic method sparkling wines.

Piedmont is relaunching Asti worldwide. With approximately 100 million bottles produced annually , 90% of which is exported , Asti remains among the best-selling Italian wines globally. The Piedmont Region is launching an international promotion plan through 2026.

Alcohol-free: Italy accelerates investment. Following the decree on excise duties and regulations, industrial interest in no- and low-alcohol wines is growing. The phenomenon is concentrated primarily in Northern Italy, with initiatives in Veneto, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna, while the domestic market is still in its infancy.

Nebbiolo takes center stage at the Best of Valtellina 2026 tasting. Falstaff experts selected the best Nebbiolos from Valtellina through a tasting of 28 wines evaluated using the 100-point system , confirming the grape variety's central role in the Alpine panorama.

Pinot Grigio Sanct Valentin: an iconic white from Alto Adige. The Sanct Valentin line from the St. Michael-Eppan winery, founded in 1986 by Hans Terzer, continues to represent one of the pinnacle of quality in Italian white wines, with a structured Pinot Grigio capable of long aging.

Wine and health: new scientific insights. A study published in Nutrients and discussed at the Irvas conference highlights how moderate wine consumption during meals , as part of the Mediterranean diet, presents different epidemiological characteristics than other alcohol consumption patterns.

Valpolicella: the Wine and Stone Trail is born. A new 160-kilometer wine tourism itinerary in eight stages connects Valpolicella, Lessinia, and the Adige Valley, strengthening the experiential tourism offering in an increasingly attractive region.

Valdichiana Aglione on the road to PGI status. This iconic Tuscan product takes the final step toward European recognition with a public meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture in Montepulciano.

Chianti Classico: restaurants and wineries increasingly integrated. In the area between Florence and Siena, the winery-cum-restaurant model is growing, combining tastings, gastronomy, and experiential tourism.

International

The Marzotto family acquires vineyards in Oregon. Through Herita Marzotto Wine Estates , the group expands its presence in the United States by purchasing the Domaine Lumineux vineyards, founded by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola in the Dundee Hills region.

Artificial intelligence is entering restaurants. In the United States, some customers are photographing the wine list and asking chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini for recommendations. According to the New York Times , AI helps with selection but doesn't replace the sommelier's expertise .

Wine events

Vinitaly 2026: over 4,000 companies in Verona. From April 12 to 15, Veronafiere hosts the 58th edition of the world's leading wine fair. New features include the Vinitaly NoLo Experience, dedicated to dealcoholized wines, and the Xcellent Spirits pavilion for mixology and spirits.

Landini brings its specialized tractors to Vinitaly. The Argo Tractors brand will present the Rex 4-080GT Low Profile and Rex 110F models, designed for vineyard work, confirming the link between mechanical innovation and viticulture.

ViniVeri 2026 in Cerea. From April 10th to 12th, the event dedicated to artisanal wine returns, featuring over 100 European producers , a benchmark for the natural wine movement.

Only Wine 2026 in Città di Castello. The young winemakers' show will be held April 25–27 and will bring together over one hundred producers under 40 alongside emerging European wineries.

Friuli Doc Spring arrives in Grado. The spring preview of the historic Friulian food and wine festival will take place May 29th – June 2nd , with tastings and events dedicated to regional products.

The wines not to be missed at Vinitaly according to Daniele Cernilli. DoctorWine journalist offers a selection of wines to taste during the Verona fair in the Vinitaly Tasting – The DoctorWine Selection space.

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See you tomorrow.