Wine press review for Thursday, December 25, 2025!

Italian wineries

• Farewell to Peppe Bonci , an enlightened winemaker of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi: a key figure in the qualitative rebirth of the Marche grape variety from the 1980s onwards, capable of transforming mass production into a territorial identity.
• Collalto, a thousand years of wine and nobility : the thousand-year history of the Conte Collalto winery, from its documented origins in 958 to today, a symbol of agricultural and winemaking continuity in the Treviso area.
• Mezzacorona surprises with its “everyday” wines : not the top-of-the-line ones, but the Trentino cooperative's current labels stand out for their quality and reliability, confirming the strength of the structured cooperative model.
• Cantine di Verona , 2024–25 fiscal year: revenue of €58.3 million (1.57%) and net profit of €420,000. Large-scale retail trade is holding up well and direct sales outlets are stable.
• Nals Margreid , double recognition: Chardonnay Nama 2021 and Pinot Bianco Sirmian 2023 awarded the 5 Grappoli Bibenda and included among the 10 best wines in Italy.
• Cantina Tramin presents Epokale 2017 , Gewürztraminer Spätlese: an iconic wine, aged in the mine, limited production (2,150 bottles) and longevity of over 20 years.
• Cantina Marilina awarded the Confeserfidi Future Award – Promoting Made in Italy for sustainability, vision, and ethical supply chain.
• Marrone Farm (La Morra) : four generations, 25 hectares of vineyards, and an approach that goes beyond organic and biodynamic, focusing on agronomic rigor and Langhe identity.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• Wine sales in Italian retail are heading for their fifth consecutive negative year : in the first 11 months of 2025, 552 million liters were sold (-3%), while the value remained virtually stable at €2.05 billion. Average prices are rising, but volumes are declining.
• "If it's cheaper at the supermarket, why buy it at the winery?" Comparative pricing is putting pressure on direct sales. The answer lies in storytelling, perceived value, and experience.
• Wine in the EU until 2035 : production, consumption, and exports are expected to decline. Young people are more moderate, with fewer reds and more sparkling wines, whites, and wine-based beverages (low/no alcohol).
• Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG : 2025 closes with 98 million bottles produced, confirming the centrality of Italian sparkling wines.
• Wine and spirits packaging, 2026 trajectories : less neutrality and more regulatory, logistical, and communication constraints. The importance of transparency, legibility, and consistent positioning is growing.
• Wine and health : Professor Scapagnini's research on moderate drinking, cognitive health, and psychological well-being, reinterpreting wine from a Mediterranean and evolutionary perspective.
• Alcohol and weight gain : During the holidays, alcohol blocks fat burning and affects metabolic balance more than you might think.
• The perfect wine at the table : pairings, yes, but without overpowering the flavor of the food. The best wine is the one that makes the drinker happy, as long as it complements the dish.

International

• The wine of the future in 2026 : gloomy balance sheets and complex forecasts. Divestments and writedowns by large international groups signal a phase of profound restructuring in the sector.
• 2026 trends according to Bibendum (UK) : growth of French rosé, return of wine by the glass and relaunch of Pinot Noir as a response to the decline of structured reds.
• Wine exports 2026: "laser focus" : a discussion between export directors of major Italian groups. Less dispersion, more market selection, and greater risk management.
• The "Rosso Jannik" case in Manduria : unauthorized use of Jannik Sinner's image on bottles of Primitivo. No legal action was taken, but the issue of protecting its authenticity remains.

Wine events, awards and wine culture

• Christmas 2025: twenty recommended wines for the holidays and ten labels to bring to the table : selections designed for all budgets, with attention to quality/price and conviviality.
• The best wines of Veneto 2025 (Vinetia Guide) : award-winning sparkling wines, whites, reds, rosés, and wines for aging, with three Vicenza excellences highlighted.
• Slow Wine Fair 2026 : expanded focus on Central and South America, with wineries from Argentina, Chile, and Mexico and a prize dedicated to South American wine lists.
• Cantina Sant'Andrea – “RaccontaStorie” : on December 27th, a poetic walk through the Campo Soriano vineyards, exploring memories, nature, and agricultural and pastoral culture.
• Gallura Award 2025 : Awards presented aboard the Moby Fantasy, celebrating wine, business, and the Sardinian region.
• A change of direction has taken place at Corriere Vinicolo : Fabio Ciarla will be the new editor-in-chief starting January, in a spirit of continuity and focus on the sector's future challenges.

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