Wine press review for Sunday, October 26, 2025

ITALIAN WINERIES

The Leonardo Cellars are relaunching in Vinci. The historic store has reopened with a new look that combines traditional retail and food and wine tourism. A partnership with the "Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano" and the support of Confcooperative and Caviro have been established for a forward-looking cooperative model.

Casa Flora, the winery born in a restaurant overlooking the sea. In Marina di Ragusa, Mario Di Pasquale and Maribé Ferreyra have transformed their restaurant into a micro-artisan winery. A story of passion and authenticity between Sicily and Argentina.

What's new from Cantina di Quistello A complex but promising 2025 vintage: an early harvest, healthy grapes, and a Lambrusco Metodo Classico that focuses on versatility and a combination with local Chardonnay.

The future of wine is culture: Guido Martinetti (Mura Mura) At Le Marne Relais in Monferrato, Martinetti discusses a project that intertwines art, hospitality, and viticulture. A poetic and concrete vision of territory and hospitality.

A white wine, Gianfranco Fino's new challenge . "Sedicimila" is born, a pure Fiano from the Primitivo region. A tribute to the history of rooted vines introduced to Puglia in the 13th century and a new horizon for Manduria.

"To produce a wine from another era, modern technology is needed," Roberto Giacobbo explains the philosophy of Terre di Maria: grape-by-grain harvesting and advanced technologies at the service of a wine that preserves the memory of the past.

The 1991 Antico Gregori Vernaccia di Oristano (Cantina Contini) earned a 100/100 Extraordinary Award in L'Espresso's "I 1000 Vini d'Italia" guide. Fewer than 15 Italian wines earn the top score each year. The award was celebrated in Milan.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

The 30 “Polar Stars” of “I Vini di Veronelli” 2026 From the great names of Brunello to the jewels of Bolgheri, from the excellences of Alto Adige to the legends of Tuscany and Sardinia: the 30 wines that symbolize Italian quality in the new Gold Guide.

The 10 Best Wines of Italy According to Bibenda 2026 From Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone di Braida to Redigaffi di Tua Rita, here is the top ten of the most exciting labels selected by the famous guide in its 28th edition.

Italian wine: between history and the "new generation." The guide "The 100 Best Wines and Winemakers of Italy 2026" (Luciano Ferraro and James Suckling) celebrates historic wineries and new players in the sector. Young winemakers, innovative projects, and new forms of social communication are honored.

Disaffection with wine? Prices are too high. The president of Piemonte Land, Francesco Monchiero, urges producers and restaurateurs to moderate markups. The risk: driving customers away from mid-range wines, a cornerstone of Italy's reputation.

All the Colors of Wine. From the chemistry to the psychology of color: modern marketing relies on chromatic nuances as the primary emotional and commercial lever. Color, before aroma and taste, captivates the consumer.

Structural maintenance in the vineyard. Advice for the dormant phase: poles, wires, and anchors are at the heart of operations to ensure the efficiency and longevity of vineyard systems.

Montecucco opposes the wind farm. The Montecucco Wine Consortium opposes the 42 MW project planned in Maremma: "it poses a threat to the landscape and rural economy." The debate between energy sustainability and land conservation is heating up.

Campi Flegrei Piedirosso Colle Rotondella 2022 (Cantine Astroni) A Neapolitan red that today expresses its full maturity: elegance, freshness and a unique volcanic character, ideal with spaghetti with tomato sauce.

INTERNATIONAL

Ticino wines and products conquer New York. A coast-to-coast trip across the United States to promote Ticino wines, cheeses, honey, and spices. An initiative by the Ticino Products in the World Association, which is now looking to Japan.

WINE EVENTS

Barolo en primeur 2025: a record-breaking charity auction . Over €1.1 million was raised for the 5th annual charity auction at Grinzane Cavour Castle. A barrique will be auctioned on November 9th in Hong Kong during the World Truffle Auction.

Collio Evolution 2025: Confidence and Prospects In Gorizia and Cormons, the Nomisma "Collio Experience" study captures the appellation's reputation and wine tourism potential. The event charts the future of Collio, balancing innovation and identity.

Verona Wine Museum: target 350,000 visitors per year . A new wine experiential hub will be built in the former icehouse of the Magazzini Generali. A €25 million investment will be made for a participatory cultural center.

A toast to wine culture with ICEC in Castiglion Fiorentino. The "In Vino Veritas" conference explores wine as an expression of identity, balancing tradition and innovation. Presentations by scholars and producers foster a dialogue between grape varieties, territory, and culture.

Montevago Wine Festival: Two days dedicated to the wines of the Belice Valley, including tastings, shows, and tours of the sites of the 1968 earthquake. The region is told through taste and memory.

Autumn at the Winery in Oliveri (ME) On Sunday, October 25th, food, theater, and wine meet at Cantine Gaglio. Show cooking, tastings, and the performance "Cuntu Siciliano" by Paride Benassai celebrate the autumn grape harvest.

Experience autumn in the vineyard with La Genisia. Three wine tourism options in the Oltrepò Pavese: horseback riding, trekking among the vine rows, and tastings to discover the autumnal magic of the vineyards.

The best in the glass and on the plate: "I 1000 Vini" and "I 1000 Ristoranti d'Italia" by L'Espresso. Ferrari Trento, Castello di Ama, Podere Forte, and Alta Mora are among the "110 cum laude" of Italian wine. Greats in the restaurant industry, such as Bottura, Cracco, and Cannavacciuolo, also received awards.

Exhibition curated by QUIDQUID – in collaboration with WINEIDEA.IT

Sunday, October 26, 2025 – The voice of Italian wine, every day.