Wine press review for Thursday, October 9, 2025!

Italian Wineries

Cantina Santadi, Sulcis between tradition and future. The Sardinian cooperative, founded in 1960, renews its vocation with its new Vermentino Metodo Classico, heir to a history that unites terroir and innovation. Following the success of its flagship reds, Terre Brune and Rocca Rubia, the winery is relaunching its identity with a forward-looking project.

Cantina dei 6 Castelli: a quality harvest and new awards. Despite the challenging weather, the 2025 Barbera d'Asti promises to be of exceptional quality. Enzo Gerbi, director of Cantina dei 6 Castelli, emphasizes "a unique vintage, but one rich in satisfaction."

Cantine di Verona wins at the Pentawards 2025. The G.Low line, low-alcohol wines with thermochromic labels, won the international award for best beverage packaging. The project, designed by Matteo Zantedeschi and Ilaria Bontempo, is a collaboration with Fedrigoni and Advision.

Venice's micro-vineyard: sparkling wine between history and spirituality. The convent of the Friars Minor in Campo San Francesco della Vigna cultivates the oldest and only vineyard in the Serenissima. Santa Margherita, with the Marzotto family, now oversees its production.

Grassano reopens the Santoro Cave-Cellar. On Saturday, October 11th, the restored cellar-museum will be open to the public again, bringing Professor Santoro's original instruments back to life.

Italian Wine and Oenology

Italian wine resists US tariffs. At Vinitaly.USA in Chicago, producers and distributors show renewed optimism. Exports, despite being hit by a 15% tariff, confirm the strength of Made in Italy. Federico Bricolo (Veronafiere): "Italian wine is an economic pillar in relations between Italy and the United States."

The Italian wine sector: challenges and opportunities. With a turnover of €16 billion and 30,000 processing companies, wine remains a strategic asset for the Italian economy. But tariffs and the devaluation of the US dollar threaten to cost the sector over €300 million.

2025 Harvest: A Positive Season Despite Challenges Clementina Balter, president of the Trentino Winegrowers' Consortium, confirms: "Quality and quantity are in line with expectations, but the workforce remains a challenge. We miss the vouchers."

MetodoContemporaneo is born: art and wine merge in 60 Italian wineries. The University of Verona launches the first observatory on contemporary art in the vineyard. From Alto Adige to Sicily, wineries become spaces of culture and innovation.

Tuscany: "Every Drop Tells a Story," wine and sustainability. The Tuscany Region is promoting a project that combines social responsibility and wine culture. Customers at restaurants in the Vetrina Toscana network will be given 55,000 bottle holders to encourage responsible consumption.

"Bibenda" 2026: 764 "5 Grappoli" wines. Among the leading figures in Italian excellence: Giacomo Conterno, Gaja, Ferrari, Ca' del Bosco, Banfi, and Tua Rita. The 2026 edition will be presented on November 22nd in Rome.

International Wine

Europe: Alcohol consumption declines, healthy alternatives grow. According to Circana, 71% of Europeans are consuming less alcohol, and a quarter of young people between the ages of 25 and 35 are no longer purchasing alcoholic beverages. The overall value of the beverage market is €166 billion.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 2020 – David Duband: the most authentic Burgundy Pinot Noir The family estate, founded in 1965, today produces 85,000 bottles a year, all from organic viticulture, and has 23 appellations including Grand Cru and Premier Cru.

Innovation and Technological Oenology

Frasky, the robot that tends vineyards. Created by the Italian Institute of Technology, the robot with a mechanical arm and artificial intelligence recognizes grape bunches and monitors vine growth. The goal is to support farms facing labor shortages.

New technologies in the winery The winemaking sector continues to experiment with artificial intelligence to improve wine quality and optimize production.

Tourism and Experiences

Family-run wineries and international tourists: American Gen Z leads the trend. According to the AITE Report, 42% of US tourists and 36% of British tourists plan to visit an Italian winery on their next trip. Interest in authentic, family-friendly experiences is growing.

Alcamo Wine House: a project to promote Sicilian wine culture. A museum dedicated to local wine, combining history, tradition, and innovation, is opening in the Castle of the Counts of Modica.

Wine Events and Experiences

Vinitaly.USA: over 2,200 operators from across North America. The second edition recorded a 47% attendance. Tariffs and uncertainty give way to planning and new trade agreements.

Aperitif at the Museum – Livorno, October 11th The City Museum hosts an event combining art, history, and wine. An experiential journey promoted by the Tuscan Wine Tourism Movement.

Lollas 2025 in Quartu Sant'Elena: festive houses and open cellars. On October 11th and 12th, the ancient "lolle" open their doors to visitors to tell the authentic Sardinia, through wine, craftsmanship, and memory.

Cantina Santadi hosts the UNESCO event "Academy IX". On Thursday, October 9, the Sardinian winery will host the international meeting dedicated to culture, sustainability, and global citizenship, organized with the UNESCO Office in Venice and the Santagata Foundation.

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