Wine press review for Sunday, March 29, 2026!

A structured look at the key news from the world of wine: from the stories of Italian wineries to market dynamics, and the international events and scenarios reshaping the sector. A useful read for understanding where the wine supply chain is truly headed.

Italian wineries

Tolaini is the only Italian winery to make the Wine.com social media finals.

The Tolaini winery, in the Chianti Classico region, is the only Italian winery to reach the semifinals of the Bracket Challenge 2026 , the social media competition organized by Wine.com, the world's largest wine e-commerce site. The competition involves 64 international wineries voted directly by followers on social media platforms. Tolaini faces the prestigious Spanish winery La Rioja Alta in the Reserva category, while other finalists include leading names such as Laurent-Perrier, Ridge, Purple Hands, and Susana Balbo. This is a sign of the growing digital visibility of Italian wineries in global markets.

Tenuta del Paguro: Wine that matures on the ocean floor

One of the most original projects in contemporary winemaking comes from Romagna. Tenuta del Paguro , based in Ravenna and growing grapes from Riolo Terme, ages some of its wines for twelve months at a depth of 30 meters in the wreck of the Paguro platform. This underwater aging technique has received international recognition at the "World's Best Sommeliers' Selection" event, demonstrating how innovation and local tradition can coexist in projects of high symbolic value.

Your Rita: From Country Home to Maremma Icon

The story of Tua Rita , in the Val di Cornia, recounts one of the most emblematic transformations in contemporary Italian wine. Founded in 1984 by Rita Tua and Virgilio Bisti as a simple country retreat, the winery is now an internationally recognized enterprise. Starting with just one hectare of vineyards, it now boasts over 70 hectares and a production that has successfully combined Tuscan tradition with a modern vision, thanks in part to the work of winemaker Luca D'Attoma and the commitment of the second family generation.

La Velarda: high-altitude viticulture in the Taburno area

In Campoli del Monte Taburno, Campania, Antonietta Caporaso carries on a family winemaking tradition rooted in the Aglianico del Taburno DOCG denomination. The area, characterized by the highest altitudes in the denomination, is experiencing a revival thanks to the promotion of local viticulture and cultural and tourism initiatives that are bringing attention to an area historically dedicated to the production of Aglianico.

The Pearl of Garda: the evolution of Lugana over time

In Rome, at chef Francesco Apreda's Michelin-starred restaurant Idylio, the Brescia-based Perla del Garda winery presented a vertical tasting of its Lugana DOP wines with owner Giovanna Prandini. The meeting highlighted how Lake Garda white wines can evolve positively over the years, developing aromatic complexity without losing freshness and acidity.

Sandrone and the 2020 Barolo Vite Talin

The 2020 Barolo Vite Talin from Sandrone winery represents one of the most distinctive expressions of Nebbiolo di Langa. Vinified in wood, it ages for three years in tonneaux and large barrels, followed by a further three years in bottle. The result is a powerful and structured wine, with aromas of dark fruit, dried roses, spices, tobacco, and citrus, supported by a complex tannic structure and remarkable persistence.

Caravaglio and Château Palmer: a Malvasia di Salina born from friendship

A conversation between Nino Caravaglio , a producer from Salina, and Thomas Duroux , director of Château Palmer in Bordeaux, has given birth to a unique winemaking project. Two labels of dry Malvasia di Salina— Piano della Croce and Punta Capo —2024 vintage, presented in Milan by Sarzi Amadè. A meeting of the Mediterranean and Bordeaux that demonstrates how wine is often the fruit of shared relationships and visions.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Women in Wine: Leadership and Gaps Yet to Be Filled

At Sicilia Wine 2026 in Chiusa Sclafani (Palermo), female wine and olive oil entrepreneurs spoke about a sector increasingly driven by female leadership. Women today manage businesses, dominate markets, and invest in the supply chain, yet still face structural inequalities. The change, however, now appears irreversible.

Wine dominates Italian online auctions

In 2025, wine was the best-selling category on Catawiki , with over 54,000 lots and 300,000 bottles traded . Among the most significant sales: a vertical tasting of Sassicaia from 1982 to 2018 sold for €16,100 and a bottle of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 2004 sold for €10,500. Italy also confirms its position as one of the main European markets for trading collectible wines.

Franciacorta: research, sustainability, and innovation

The Franciacorta Consortium has presented its 2026 Research & Development Activity Report , a document analyzing the 2025 vintage and the main lines of research on the region's viticulture. Key themes include vineyard protection, climate adaptation, sustainability, and experimental microvinification, essential tools for addressing new agronomic challenges.

The Italian AgriFoodTech market is growing

According to the Eatable Adventure report, investments in Italian AgriFoodTech will reach €121.6 million in 2025, an 18% increase. Active startups have risen to 501 (23%), while employment has grown by 47%. These are signs of a maturing ecosystem that could increasingly impact the winemaking industry as well.

Signorvino continues to grow

The chain of wine bars and restaurants founded by Sandro Veronesi closed 2025 with a turnover of 90 million euros (5%) . The restaurant sector drove growth, seating over 2.2 million people and an average bill of nearly 50 euros. Sparkling wines account for 32% of retail sales, with Prosecco being the best-selling denomination.

The Oltrepò Crisis and the Birth of the "107 Committee"

Approximately one hundred members of the Terre d'Oltrepò cooperative winery have formed Committee 107 to seek clarity on the cooperative's future and its business plan. The discussions also focused on the winery's potential liquidation and the challenges posed by production losses in 2024.

Wine and Communication: Mistakes and Rules for Press Presentations

After over thirty years of tastings and press lunches, an industry expert has summarized some fundamental rules for properly presenting wines to journalists and influencers. Among the key criteria: balance between the wine's structure and the cuisine offered, narrative clarity, and respect for the taster's sensory experience.

International

Liv-ex: Signs of recovery for fine wines

According to Liv-ex analysis, the secondary market for fine wines could grow by 2.1% by the end of 2026. The Fine Wine 100 index has recorded four consecutive months of gains, while the value of European purchases has increased by 48% year-on-year.

Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard merger

French giant Pernod Ricard and American multinational Brown-Forman have confirmed talks regarding a potential merger. The deal would create one of the world's largest spirits groups, capable of directly competing with Diageo.

US tariffs and consumption: imported wines hold up

According to a NielsenIQ analysis, the tariffs introduced in the United States in 2025 have had a limited impact: the prices of imported European wines have increased by just 1%, a sign that the market has absorbed the effect of the tariffs.

Brazil, a growing market

Brazil continues to emerge as a promising market for wine. In 2025, imports reached 165 million liters, worth $558 million (6.8%) . Italian exports reached €42.8 million , driven primarily by the growth of sparkling wines and the premiumization of consumption.

Wine events

Prosecco Spring: Final Weekend on Boxing Day

The Cartizze and Valdobbiadene DOCG Wine Show continues in Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene as part of the Prosecco Spring Festival. The weekend's events include tastings, traditional cuisine, Venetian cicchetti, and a "Walk among the Rive" (Strolling along the Shores) through the vineyards of the UNESCO World Heritage hills.

The new talents of Italian winemaking

Vinoway has launched the "New Talents in Italian Winemaking" format, dedicated to the new generation of winemakers who are driving the qualitative evolution of wineries. Among the protagonists are Alessandro Leoni, Andrea Pala, Jacopo Vagaggini, Nicola Biasi, and Giulia Harri.

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie is a partner of the 2026 Giro d'Italia.

Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie will be the official wine of the 2026 Giro d'Italia, an event with an estimated global audience of over 650 million viewers. The initiative represents a powerful international promotion platform for Italian wine.

Vinitaly 2026: the world's largest wine hub

From April 12 to 15, Veronafiere will host the 58th edition of Vinitaly , with approximately 4,000 exhibiting companies and over 1,000 buyers from 140 countries. The event aims to strengthen Italy's role as a global wine hub and tap into new markets, from Asia to South America.

San Casciano dei Bagni launches "Fonti di Vino" (Sources of Wine)

The Tuscan spa town hosts Fonti di Vino – Between Glasses and Thermal Waters , an event that combines wine tourism and wellness. Nine local wineries will showcase their wines in a context that blends culture, tourism, and local development.

Signature wine tour in the cellars of Adro

Adro, in Franciacorta, offers a spring itinerary through historic wineries like Ferghettina and Contadi Castaldi. The route combines tastings, underground architecture, and views of the vineyard-covered hills between Lake Iseo and the Po Valley.

DomeniCantina: Wine becomes a gastronomic experience

Colle Uncinano launches DomeniCantina , a format that combines seasonal cuisine and vineyard stories. Meetings take place in the winery's rural spaces, creating an experience that directly connects agricultural production and hospitality.

New guide for the Piacenza Hills Road

Stefano Pizzamiglio, owner of the La Tosa company, has been appointed president of the Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori dei Colli Piacentini , with the aim of strengthening territorial promotion and collaboration between producers, tourism and institutions.

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See you tomorrow with new news from the world of wine.