Wine press review for Sunday, February 1, 2026!

Italian wineries

Amarone Opera Prima: the 2021 vintage and the future of Valpolicella. Amarone Opera Prima opens with the 2021 vintage at the center of tastings and discussions. The Valpolicella Consortium reiterates the need to maintain a presence in Asia, Northern Europe, the USA, and Canada, closely monitoring the EU-Mercosur and EU-India agreements. Producers have supported this strategy by increasing their consortium fees by 15%, a sign of a shared vision.

Monte Rossa and Pievalta: a memorable start to 2026. Monte Rossa's Cabochon Fuoriserie N°025 Brut has been named one of Decanter's Top 10 Wines of the Year 2025 – Italy, the only Franciacorta wine selected. This recognition strengthens the position of Brescia's sparkling wines in premium markets.

Siddùra closes out a record-breaking 2025. The Sardinian winery consolidates its awards and financial results. Its first sparkling wine makes a successful debut, while 2026 will focus on new products, technology, and innovation to address evolving consumer trends.

A great Lagrein in just a few bottles from Alto Adige. From Gries, in the agricultural heart of Bolzano, a historic winery presents a Lagrein of the highest expression, a synthesis of urbanity and border viticulture.

Zuliani (Rauscedo): The great DOC Prosecco represents a structural turning point. Affordable pricing, freshness, and low alcohol content remain the keys to success. Prosecco remains the economic pillar of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Declining consumption and high inventories: why uprooting isn't enough. The 2026 EU Wine Package reopens the debate on 100%-funded uprooting. UIV and FIVI warn: fewer linear cuts, more supply management, quality, and an industrial vision.

The Glera of the future is born. Seven new resistant varieties derived from Glera have been presented, the result of research by VCR and CREA Conegliano. This represents a key step for the "Prosecco world" amid climate change and sustainable production.

Freisa: the second youth of a Piedmontese red. A historic, aromatic, and distinctive grape variety, it returns to prominence with modern interpretations that dialogue with contemporary tastes.

Dolegna del Collio, a land of thresholds. A profound tale of borders, ponca, and vineyard landscapes, where viticulture becomes a cultural as well as agricultural infrastructure.

Wine Defects: Recognizing Them in the Glass A practical guide to the main sensory alterations, combining chemistry and microbiology, useful for professionals and enthusiasts.

Wine as a cultural food. From Confagricoltura Siena, a discussion on history, health, and awareness: wine as a traceable, convivial product tied to the territory.

International

USA: Difficulties yes, but no collapse for Italian wine. Consumption is declining for the fifth consecutive year, but Italy is holding up better than its competitors. The testimonies of top American players call for realism and continued presence.

UIV: Italy better than average in the US market. In 2025, sales of Italian wine will also decline, but with smaller drops than those of US products.

Champagne Bertemès, a journey to the Montagne de Reims. Tasting in Pescara with D'Alesio. Distribution: Artisanal Champagne, long refinements and territorial identity.

Wine events, culture and territories

Wine Paris 2026: Wine looks ahead under the Parisian sky. From February 9th to 11th, Wine Paris 2026 confirms Paris as the global wine hub. Italy is the second largest exhibitor, with a strong presence of European, American, and Asian buyers.

Milano-Cortina 2026: Italian wine ambassador From Cantina Todini's Rubro to Tenuta Masselina's dry Albana, the labels selected for Milano Cortina 2026 showcase biodiversity and regional identity at Casa Italia – MUSA.

Art and Wine in Barletta: Places of Beauty 2026. An artistic presentation and tasting in the Ex Cantina Sperimentale Library, exploring culture, territory, and collective memory.

“Nectar of the Gods”: wine becomes a global story. The Apple TV series, spanning France and Japan, brings wine back to the center of pop storytelling, as a cultural and symbolic object.

Less snobbery, more clarity: the producers' recipe From Grandi Langhe a clear message: simplify the language, enhance the Mediterranean cultural dimension and navigate the markets with pragmatism.

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