Wine press review for Sunday, February 22, 2026!

Italian wineries

Amarone della Valpolicella: not a mistake, but a project. A historical document and the shared vision of the consortium and major producers clarify that Amarone was not born from an accident (Recioto disappeared), but from a deliberate decision by enlightened figures. A powerful message: identity, style, and value are not coincidental, but built over time. The focus now turns to the future of the appellation.

Sofia Ricasoli and the "Innesto" project : From criminal law to the vineyard: Sofia Ricasoli returns to Chianti Classico with a personal line, separate from the family brand. The new wine breaks with the traditional concept of vintage, a sign of a generation experimenting without denying history.

Filippo Antonelli: organic, yes, but only where it makes sense. The Montefalco producer reiterates his organic approach as an agronomic and territorial project, not an ideological one. The critical point: in the past, too much was planted, even in unsuitable areas. Quality is a balance between environment, soil, and wine.

Masseria Campito, Gricignano d'Aversa. A winery focused on Asprinio as a defining and unconventional choice. Six hectares of vineyards, a historic farmhouse converted into a winery, and a clear vision: a small number of wines, a clearly identifiable terroir, and consistent production.

Cantina Kaltern and the kunst.stück 2026 competition : Art and winemaking come together: for the 2026 edition, an artist will design the label for a Cabernet-Merlot Riserva cuvée. The label becomes an integral part of the wine's cultural value.

Caviro turns 60. Italy's largest winemaking group celebrates with industry-leading figures: 1.5 million hectoliters bottled annually. A cooperative giant that faces the crisis by leveraging its expertise, scale, and supply chain.

Podere Casanova – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano From an auction in Siena to a structured agricultural project: rapid growth of the acreage, a wide range, and a focus on pure Sangiovese for the Nobile “Settecento”.

Lunae Bosoni – Lunae Brut Cuvée Sparkling Wine. Liguria's white wines continue to grow in reputation. Lunae invests in its winery, promotes historic grape varieties, and taps into the renewed interest in sparkling wines and fresh wines.

Al Bano and the Cellino San Marco estate. A true agricultural and tourist village in Puglia: a farmhouse, winery, spa, church, and forest. Wine is part of a project of identity and hospitality.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Tuscan Previews: Reds under pressure. Exports of Tuscan still PDO wines are declining (-8% in value in 2025). The anti-crisis strategies: targeted promotion, reduced yields, and opening up to new markets. The message is clear: the model needs to be updated.

Chianti Classico: Moderate optimism. Sales up slightly (1% volume, 2.6% value). Quality is well established, but strong marketing and communications are now needed to cope with more complex markets and changing consumption patterns.

Piedmont: alarm over stocks and grape prices. Cellars are full, trade is down, and grape prices are down as much as 30%. A crisis described as "structural," comparable in severity to Covid and 2008. The central theme: rebalancing production.

Valoritalia 2025 Data: DOC and DOCG wines hold steady (1%), IGT wines plummet (-12%), and red wines struggle (-13%). A year of adjustment that reshapes the quality and commercial pyramid of Italian wine.

Sweet wine as a gateway for Gen Z (USA). Amarone, Moscato, Lambrusco, and Prosecco as a "bridge" to dry wines. An educational and cultural strategy to shape tomorrow's consumers.

Phytopathology: Scale insects (Planococcus ficus) in vineyards are among the most serious threats: direct damage, sooty mold, and virus transmission. Plant health management is once again crucial to the economic sustainability of farms.

Wine, fashion, and storytelling: The story of wine is increasingly similar to that of fashion. But when the narrative becomes disconnected from the production reality, the risk is a loss of consumer trust.

International

Ashley Graham invests in Lambrusco. "Lucci," a Lambrusco DOC Reggiano produced by Medici Ermete, is born. An American pop icon that strengthens the international appeal of a distinctive, light, and contemporary wine.

Pinot Noir Musigny: a market for icons. At auctions, historic vintages show substantial resilience. Bottles of Comte de Vogüé have nearly doubled in value in a year: fine wine remains a safe haven.

Vermouth di Torino: Protection and Foreign Markets . The Consortium is not participating in the dedicated trade show, which it considers ambiguous. However, it has a strong brand protection strategy in Europe, the USA, and Asia, with growing interest in moderate consumption.

Wine events and wine culture

Slow Wine Fair 2026 – Bologna Over 1,100 exhibitors from 27 countries. The central theme: social justice in the world of wine. Abruzzo takes center stage with 40–50 wineries and a strong message about sustainability and the region.

Slow Wine Fair Events – February 22nd Tastings and discussions on vineyard work, community, and distinctive grape varieties like Cannonau. Wine as an agricultural and social phenomenon, not just a commercial one.

Pompeii: the secret vineyard is reborn. A joint project between archaeology and viticulture brings vines back to the archaeological site. Wine as a bridge between history, science, and the land.

Wine is culture. A clear message from the government: public-private partnerships (like Pompeii and Feudi di San Gregorio) are strategic levers. Wine is recognized as a cultural expression, not just an economic one.

Turin Wine Fair 2026: Focus on Piedmont, its regions, and its producers. The fair and the city are increasingly integrated, encompassing tastings, culture, and food and wine tourism.

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