Wine press review for Thursday, October 22, 2026!

1. ITALIAN WINERIES

Rauscedo Winery celebrates 75 years of winemaking history.

Founded in 1951 in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Cantina Rauscedo celebrates 75 years of activity, celebrating the connection between viticulture, nursery tradition, and cooperation. The company brings together 296 members, cultivates 1,832 hectares of vineyards, and recorded over €32 million in revenue in the 2024/2025 financial year. The winery's portfolio includes Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Chardonnay, Glera, and red grape varieties. Its environmental commitment is also growing, with over 308,000 kWh produced from photovoltaic energy.

Varvaglione 1921 joins the Leonardo Committee

The Apulian winery Varvaglione 1921, based in Leporano, has joined the Leonardo Committee, an organization that promotes Italian entrepreneurial excellence in international markets. This recognition strengthens the Taranto-based company's positioning and collaboration opportunities with leading Made in Italy brands.

Resisters and Renitens: Nicola Biasi's PIWI Project

The Resistenti Network, founded in 2021 under the leadership of winemaker Nicola Biasi, brings together six Italian wineries producing wines from PIWI grape varieties, selected for their resistance to fungal diseases. This project has resulted in Renitens, a wine made by blending the production of its member wineries: Albafiorita, Tenuta della Casa, Ca' da Roman, Colle Regina, Poggio Pagnan, and Vin de la Neu. The initiative promotes innovation, sustainability, and collaboration among producers.

Morellino di Scansano: Four wines earn Tre Bicchieri awards

Four Morellino di Scansano DOCG wines have received Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) award: Fattorie Le Pupille's 2025 Morellino di Scansano, Provveditore's 2025 Morellino di Scansano Irio, Cantina Vignaioli Scansano's 2024 Vigna Benefizio, and Roccapesta's 2024 Vigna Liuzza Riserva. This recognition recognizes the diverse expressions of Maremma Sangiovese, from young, fresh wines to versions suitable for aging.

Velenosi promotes Pecorino cheese from the Marche region

Angela and Marianna Velenosi recount the evolution of the Marche winery, which began with a strong focus on red wines and is now increasingly focused on whites. Pecorino represents a key expression of this transformation, responding to market changes and the desire to promote the region.

Zaccagnini: Innovation in the cellar and new prospects for Verdicchio

A visit to the Zaccagnini winery in Staffolo, Marche, offers a glimpse into the relationship between tradition, production investments, and new challenges for Verdicchio. The company promotes the local winemaking heritage and integrates wine production with olive oil production.

Tamborini's Ticino sparkling wines awarded by Falstaff

Three sparkling wines from the Ticino winery Tamborini exceed 90 points in Falstaff's ratings: Quaranta SanZeno Pas Dosé Metodo Classico obtains 93 points, Venti SanZeno Pas Dosé 91 and Vallombrosa Blanc de Blancs (ValloBrut) 90. The results confirm the stylistic variety of sparkling wine production in the Canton of Ticino.

2. ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

The 2026 harvest in the Piacenza area: healthy grapes despite the heat

The harvest in the Piacenza area began early, in some cases as early as early August, due to high temperatures. According to Confagricoltura Piacenza, the health of the grapes and the production results were overall better than expected. Critical issues remain related to low acidity, the higher alcohol content of some red wines, and the difficulties experienced by young vineyards. For producers, attention now shifts to market stability.

Alto Adige: early harvest and good quality prospects

The 2026 harvest in Alto Adige ended early after a warm spring, a scorching summer, and limited rainfall. Despite the challenging weather, the grapes were healthy, and the quality outlook is positive. Among the most promising varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Lagrein. Rainfall at the end of August favored ripening, while a hailstorm caused limited damage in the Isarco Valley.

Oltrepò Pavese: exports up 60% in four years

Wine exports from the province of Pavia increased from €25.2 million in 2021 to €40.2 million in 2025, representing growth of nearly 60%. This figure emerges from TEHA Group's Visione Vino 2026 report. Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy's main vineyard area, boasts over 11,500 hectares and approximately 3,000 hectares of Pinot Noir. Production of Metodo Classico sparkling wines is also growing, supported by the relaunch of the Classese brand.

Veneto wine exports slow: -8.4% in the first half of 2026.

According to Veneto Agricoltura, regional wine exports reached €1.32 billion in the first six months of 2026, down 8.4% compared to the same period in 2025. In 2025, the value of exports had already fallen by 1.1%, to €2.93 billion, despite increased volumes. Veneto still accounts for 36.3% of Italian wine exports. Still and sparkling wines constitute the main segments, while the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom are the key markets.

Italian wine is regaining market share in non-European markets

Between July and September 2026, Italian wine exports to non-EU countries grew by nearly 8% in value. In the first nine months of the year, however, the balance remained negative at 3%, with exports totaling approximately €3.3 billion. The United States led the quarterly recovery, with increases of nearly 17% in value and 6.6% in volume. Positive signs also came from Russia, China, and Brazil. According to the Italian Wine Union, it remains to be seen whether the recovery reflects increased consumption or, more importantly, restocking.

Milan Wine Week 2026: Quality and Value at the Center of the Market

During Milan Wine Week, the Wine IQ – A Glass of Insights forum, curated by NielsenIQ, analyzed consumption, distribution, and industry prospects. The Italian wine market is worth approximately €3.1 billion, with over 713 million liters sold according to data presented as of August 2026. In a context of changing purchasing habits, quality, territorial identity, and the ability to communicate value are becoming strategic levers for companies.

Drones and robots: automation enters Italian vineyards

Robots for grass management, drones, and new technologies open up opportunities to reduce repetitive work and improve efficiency in the vineyard. However, mechanization remains complex in Italian regions characterized by slopes, terraces, and traditional training systems. The challenge is to integrate innovation and manual skills, while preserving the identity of the territories and the quality of production.

Labor Inspectorate: 80% of companies inspected in the Langhe and Roero area are found to be irregular.

The Cuneo Territorial Labor Inspectorate inspected 67 agricultural companies and contractors, finding irregularities in nearly 80% of cases. Thirty-one workers were identified as undeclared, nine of whom lacked a valid work permit. Inspectors also reported 100 health and safety violations and ordered nine business suspensions.

Garattini reopens the debate on the health risks of alcohol.

Pharmacologist Silvio Garattini, founder of the Mario Negri Institute, draws attention to the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, including wine. His speech challenges the idea that moderate daily consumption is risk-free and calls for more effective health communication. The topic brings the relationship between public health, consumer information, and the economic interests of the sector back to the center of the debate.

Montosoli: An in-depth look at Montalcino's great crus

A tasting organized as part of Ein Prosit in Udine brought together seven wines from the Montosoli hill, one of the most significant areas for Brunello di Montalcino. The initiative explored the terroir's characteristics through labels from Baricci, Le Ragnaie, and other producers, contributing to a deeper understanding of the diverse expressions of Sangiovese.

Vertical tasting of Casa Paladin's Gli Aceri Malbech

A vertical tasting of Gli Aceri Malbech from Casa Paladin winery in Annone Veneto, including the 2004, 2000, and 1999 vintages, was held at the FISAR headquarters in Rovigo. The meeting offered an opportunity to compare the wine's evolution over time and delve deeper into the role of aging in interpreting vintages.

3. INTERNATIONAL WINE

Gambero Rosso World Tour 2026/2027: Italian wine restarts in Tokyo

On October 27, at the Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo, 41 Tre Bicchieri-awarded Italian wineries will inaugurate the Gambero Rosso World Tour 2026/2027 – Special 40 Years. The program includes 24 stops in 17 countries until June 2027. The choice of Japan reflects the importance of the Asian market for imported wine: in 2025, volumes decreased, while spending increased, signaling a greater focus on value and quality.

Germany: stable production and excellent quality grapes

The 2026 German harvest is expected to maintain 2025 volumes, but remain approximately 10% below the ten-year average. Drought has impacted the 13 wine-growing regions differently, while the health and ripeness of the grapes are assessed positively. In Rheinhessen, production is estimated at 2.3 million hectoliters, while in the Palatinate it will reach 2.1 million, a 12% increase over 2025.

Moët Hennessy Develops an Electronic Nose with Artificial Intelligence

Moët Hennessy, Analog Devices, and the University of California, Davis are collaborating on a project that combines chemical sensors and artificial intelligence to identify aromatic defects early during winemaking. The focus is on Fresh Mushroom Aroma (FMA), a fresh mushroom aroma observed in Champagne and other French regions. The goal is to identify the chemical signatures associated with the defect in the must, providing winemakers with proactive information to intervene before the problem manifests in the finished wine.

Bordeaux introduces a reference price for bulk red wine

Since October 20, 2026, the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux has applied a voluntary indicator of €1,100 per tonneau to bulk transactions of Bordeaux AOP red wine, excluding organic wines. The indicator combines 50% average production costs and 50% market price. It is not a mandatory minimum price, but rather a tool to guide commercial negotiations. Bulk wine represents approximately 63% of the volumes of the Bordeaux red appellation.

Italian wine and the risks associated with climate change

The early harvests in Italy and the difficulties experienced in Germany and France highlight the growing impact of climate conditions on European viticulture. High temperatures, drought, and irregular rainfall influence harvest timing, acidity, ripening, and yields, making agronomic adaptation and technological innovation crucial.

4. WINE EVENTS AND TERRITORY PROMOTION

Trentino Winegrowers' Festival: October 24th

On Saturday, October 24th, from 2 to 7 pm, Palazzo Roccabruna, the Trentino Provincial Wine Shop, will host the traditional Trentino Winegrowers' Festival. Fifty wineries will be present, offering over 200 wines for tasting, representing sustainability, craftsmanship, and local identity. Special guests at the 2026 edition will be winemakers from Brescia, Lake Garda, and Franciacorta.

Senigallia Wine Marchet 2026: 39 wineries from the Marche region

On Saturday, October 24th, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the Foro Annonario in Senigallia will host Senigallia Wine Marchet 2026, part of the Fiera Franca (Free Fair). The 39 participating wineries will showcase their regional products through tastings and meetings with winemakers, highlighting the Marche region's winemaking diversity and the connection between wine and its terroir.

Cantina Clavesana celebrates autumn and the end of the harvest

On Sunday, October 25th, starting at 3:00 PM, Produttori in Clavesana is organizing the Autumn Festival, featuring a chestnut festival, free tastings, winery tours, and family activities. The event, organized with the Marco Bozzolo Farm and the Slow Food Community of the Custodians of the Chestnut Groves of the Ligurian Alps, brings together wine, agricultural products, and local traditions.

Eroico Rosso 2026: Sforzato takes center stage in Tirano

The twelfth edition of Eroico Rosso – Sforzato Wine Festival returns to Tirano on Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1st. The program includes tastings of Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG in historic buildings, meetings with producers, masterclasses, guided tours, and cultural initiatives. The event promotes heroic viticulture in Valtellina and the historical and landscape heritage of the Middle Valtellina.

Autumn Convention for the City of Wine in the Prosecco Hills

From November 13th to 15th, Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, and the surrounding area will host the Autumn Convention of the Città del Vino association. The program includes national assemblies, meetings between administrators and operators, and initiatives dedicated to promoting winemaking communities. The event is part of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Italian City of Wine 2026-2027 project, which involves 14 municipalities.

Lugana Festival: tastings, music, and open cellars

From October 16th to 18th, Sirmione and the lower Garda area hosted the Lugana Festival, featuring Lugana DOC tastings, masterclasses at Palazzo Callas, music, and food events. Local wineries opened their doors to visitors, who were also connected via the Lugana Express shuttle service. The event promoted Garda white wine through a widespread wine tourism experience.

Autumn in the Cellar: Sicily's Story Through Wine

The event, promoted by the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil (IRVO), concludes on October 25th, after a tour of seven Sicilian wineries. Tastings, winery tours, cooking demonstrations, and meetings with producers highlighted wine culture and local traditions, with a particular focus on wine tourism and the promotion of rural areas.