Wine press review for Sunday, February 15, 2026!

Italian wineries

Gaja's Barbaresco Sorì Tildin 2022 named best Italian red according to Gentleman 2026. The Gentleman ranking, a cross-reference between Italian guides and international critics, crowns Gaja. Giacosa, Antinori, and Sassicaia also make the podium: an authoritative snapshot of Italian excellence around the world.

Bosio (AL): a fine white wine under €15 between Piedmont and Liguria. Caplana showcases a family-run, distinctive border viticulture, amidst white clay and sea breezes. A coherent, local project with an excellent quality/price ratio.

Cantina Ca'Stelle (Castelvenere) Thirty years in business, ongoing generational transition, and a strong push towards communication and sales, maintaining a solid production style for Falanghina and Camaiola.

I Cacciagalli in Teano (CE) A biodynamic project combining viticulture and hospitality, on the slopes of the extinct Roccamonfina volcano. Wines that tell the story of the land.

Moncaro at auction: vineyards, cellars, and a restaurant. The Terre Cortesi Moncaro cooperative is up for sale: three cellars, approximately 100 hectares of DOC vineyards, and 52 labels. Estimated value over €13 million. A strategic move attracting groups and investors.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Longevity and wine: a glass a day, especially between the ages of 40 and 65. Professor Giovanni Scapagnini rehabilitates conscious consumption: benefits on stress, sociality and quality of life.

Veronelli to the "Corriere": 130 praises for wine. A hundred years after his birth, Gino Veronelli's cultural legacy remains central: wine as an expression of ethics, agriculture, and humanity.

Italian wine 2025: DOC and DOCG growth, micro-denominations suffer. Valoritalia data: bottlings down 2.1%, but DOC and DOCG down 1%. Significant decline for IGTs. Lower volume, better positioning.

Five groups bottle 18% of the denominations . Concentration in certified Italian wine is growing. The sector is holding up, but undergoing changes in its structure and governance.

Tuscan wine: lower volumes, higher quality. Millennials are driving the trend. Volumes will decline slightly between 2021 and 2025, but purchases will increase by 24% among the 35-45 age group. A shift toward "less but better."

Wine no longer stands upright. The container changes, and so does consumption: from the bottle to the bag-in-box. This isn't the end of wine, but a cultural shift.

International

US alcohol market: wine down 3.5%, ready-to-drinks soar. In the United States, wine declines slightly, while RTDs are growing double-digitly. Spirits and beer remain dominant.

Lucanian wine on its way to Switzerland. The Basilicata Region is launching a structured promotion project in Switzerland: internationalization as an economic and territorial lever.

Primum Familiae Vini: the quiet strength of family businesses. Twelve great historic families of global wine united by a long-term vision. In Paris, over 2,800 years of history under one roof.

Wine events

Wine Paris conquers the world (and Italy) . Over 1,350 Italian exhibitors. Qualified buyers, effective organization, and a growing importance in the global calendar.

Prosecco DOC and the Olympics: an €8 million investment. The largest promotional effort ever undertaken by an Italian wine consortium. The goal: to capture the imagination of young people.

WinePrime Milano: the new high-end wine fair. Debuting in January 2027. Milan as an international hub for high-end wine. Luca Cuzziol speaks.

Previews of Tuscany 2026 – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano The 2023 vintage was judged positive, with balanced and refined wines. The 2022 Reserves are still too few to fully evaluate.

4.5 stars for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023. High rating for structure, balance, and finesse. Analysis presented by winemaker Lorenzo Landi.

DiVinNosiola: a journey into the heart of Trentino Vino Santo. From March 28th to April 12th, masterclasses, tastings, and the pressing ritual. Sixteenth edition.

Luca Maroni's Best Italian Wines (Rome) From February 20th to 22nd, unlimited tastings, workshops, and a focus on alcohol-free and sparkling wines. 25th edition.

Umbria del Vino 2026: the winning wineries have been announced. Twenty years of companies have been awarded in the regional competition promoted by the Umbria Chamber of Commerce.

The best wine list in Europe is Italian. Trattoria al Cacciatore – La Subida in Cormòns has been awarded: “Best Long List” and “Special Jury Prize”.

Thanks for listening. Today's wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.