A daily overview of the main news from the world of wine: companies, markets, innovation, events, and international scenarios impacting the wine sector.
Italian Wineries
Villa Sandi begins generational transition
Diva and Leonardo Moretti Polegato will join Villa Sandi's Board of Directors as vice presidents. Owner Giancarlo Moretti Polegato thus begins the generational transition of the Treviso-based company, while maintaining strategic leadership of the group. The recognition received in Düsseldorf with the Meininger Award for Excellence in Wine & Spirits underscores the winery's international role in promoting Prosecco and wine tourism.
Valdo acquires 100% of the Friulian winery I Magredi
Valdo completes the acquisition of I Magredi in the Grave del Friuli area, creating a group with approximately €90 million in revenue and 19.5 million bottles produced. The transaction strengthens the group's regional presence and exports, with a particular focus on the DACH and North American markets.
Bottega Spa: Four Centuries of Wine and Grappa Tradition
Treviso-based Bottega consolidates its global positioning with a model that integrates its winery and distillery. The brand has become a symbol of Made in Italy in travel retail thanks to the renowned Bottega Gold , a Prosecco DOC with a golden bottle.
New Territorial Identities: Mamoiada and Ostuni
Torrecuso Fortress: cellar and wine museum
Entrepreneur Enzo Rillo's project integrates production, wine tourism spaces, and a virtual museum dedicated to Taburno and Aglianico, strengthening the area's cultural offerings.
Winery events in the Langhe area of Asti
The Colombo winery in Bubbio is organizing a series of events featuring tastings, culture, and the local area, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as the protagonists.
Italian Wine and Oenology
Gen Z and alcohol consumption: the "zebra striping" phenomenon is born
The younger generations drink about 20% less than Millennials , alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the evening. Bars and restaurants are adapting their offerings with lighter drinks and no-/low-alcohol options.
Amarone: Between Identity and New Challenges
The prestigious Valpolicella red wine is expected to decline by 2.4% in 2025 , but maintains a strong international positioning. The debate within the appellation concerns the balance between traditional style and trends toward lighter wines.
Toscana IGT: the sparkling wine category arrives
The National Wine Committee has approved the modification to the regulations that will introduce Toscana IGT sparkling wines , expanding the production scope of the denomination.
The price of wine and the perception of value
Neuromarketing studies from IULM University demonstrate that perceived price directly influences the sensory experience of wine, modifying brain activity linked to pleasure.
Wine and inflation
Over the last ten years, consumer wine prices in Italy have grown by 7.4% , one of the smallest increases in the European Union.
Innovation and experimentation
Wine in Italian restaurants remains local
Between 70% and 75% of the labels on restaurant wine lists come from the same region as the establishment, strengthening the connection between gastronomy and territory.
Controls on Prosecco on tap
The Italian Food and Agriculture Organization (MASAF) is initiating inspections of bars and restaurants to prevent the sale of bulk Prosecco DOC or DOCG. Fines can reach up to €5,000 .
International
Antinori: Wine Will Return to Growth in the United States
According to Piero Antinori, the decline in US consumption is primarily due to temporary factors such as high inventories and trade tensions. The medium-term outlook remains positive.
Wine takes center stage at the Oscars
Cinema is once again influencing wine consumption: in the 2026 Oscar -winning film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, a bottle of Spanish wine becomes a narrative symbol and generates great international visibility.
Portugal: A New Destination for Wine Tourism
Between Douro and Alentejo, the country records over 3 million visits to wineries and tourism represents approximately 12% of the national GDP , confirming the growing role of wine tourism in the economic strategy.
Wine Events
Bubbles in the Villa – Villa Farsetti
On March 28th and 29th, the event dedicated to Italian and international sparkling wines returns to Santa Maria di Sala, with over 100 wines for tasting , producers and sommeliers at the tasting tables.
“IO VINO 2026” in Rome
The event dedicated to the native grape varieties of Marche and Campania brought together over 75 producers and 150 B2B operators , promoting biodiversity and regional traditions.
Open Vineyards in Friuli Venezia Giulia
From March 21st until autumn, the Wine Tourism Movement is organizing visits, tastings, and meetings with winemakers to promote the area through immersive experiences among the vines.
Garda DOC at Vinitaly with “Garda360”
The Garda DOC Consortium will present a program of tastings and social tastings at Vinitaly, in addition to the new regulations dedicated to low-alcohol wines .
Slow Wine Coalition
In Bologna, the international community promoted by Slow Food discussed the future of viticulture in inland areas, including sustainability, agricultural income, and land protection.
New Beverage Trends
Liquid Ventures and the no/low alcohol market
Three protagonists of the beverage sector – Bob Kunze-Concewitz, Paolo Dalla Mora and Luca Gargano – founded Liquid Ventures , a European venture builder dedicated to the development of new non-alcoholic and low-alcohol brands.
Innovation in fermented beverages
From beer made with grape must to experimentation with plant-based ingredients like carrots, the intersection between craft beer and the world of wine is growing.
“The Wine of Champions”
Fabio Cordella's entrepreneurial project involves famous international footballers in the production and promotion of Italian wines, creating a bridge between sport, branding, and the global market.
Strategic synthesis
The emerging picture confirms some lines of transformation in the sector:
Today's wine press review was provided by WINEIDEA.IT
See you tomorrow with new news from the world of wine.
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