Wine press review for Thursday, September 18, 2025

Welcome to the review: a selection, summary, and strategic overview of key news for those working in the wine industry.

Italian wineries

• Centinari (Franciacorta) – Double Grand Gold Medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (Effervescent Session 2025, Chisinau) and a showcase for Paola Togni 's leadership, along with Elisa and Andrea Centinari. This sends a strong signal regarding the premium positioning of Brescia's sparkling wines.
• Frasca Marchet (Valdobbiadene DOCG) – Rediscovering authentic “frasca” in Guia: rural hospitality, identity, and local storytelling as levers of experiential value.
• La Vigna di Sarah (Vittorio Veneto) – Night harvest : an agronomic and winemaking choice to preserve the aromatic integrity of the Glera and reduce post-harvest cooling.
• Terre d'Oltrepò (Broni) – "Supplementary wine" trial: closing arguments in Pavia and pending verdict. Reputational issue to be monitored for the entire district.
• Designer wineries – Rocca di Frassinello (Renzo Piano) and Antinori nel Chianti Classico (Archea): architecture as a driver of brand equity and medium-high ticket wine tourism.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• Italy at the CMB – effervescent – 97 award-winning wines: 2 Grand Gold, 25 Gold, 70 Silver . Nearly a third of Italian labels won medals, 10% vs. the previous edition: export traction and a consolidated reputation in sparkling wines.
• ISMEA – Innovation Fund – 2024 allocation increased to €222 million (reallocation of resources 2025) to absorb >6,000 applications: tactical window for investments by wineries and supply chains.
• Gambero Rosso – Tre Bicchieri 2026 Sicily – Champions 2023–24 highlight the impact of downy mildew in 2023 and climate- related criticalities in 2024 (less tense whites; reds with greener tannins): focus on irrigation management and harvest timing.
• Assoenologi (Cotarella) – Understanding the crisis : exogenous factors, a cohesive supply chain response, and protecting wine's value as a strategic priority.
• Equipment/consumption – Haier HWS34GGH1 wine cellar (34 bottles, anti-UV glass, 37 dB, smart control): growing home-cellaring segment, bridge between conscious consumption and domestic trade-up.

International

• BolognaFiere → United Experience (30%) – Wine Experience is born: 2026 stops in London , Ho Chi Minh City , and Mexico City . Markets: UK consolidated; Vietnam booming (Italy at 24% import, forecast 45% vol / 90% val by 2027); Mexico growing (target $6 billion 2030).
• EU/WHO Policy (CEEV – Sanchez Recarte) – WHO draft aimed at combating abuse , not consumption tout-court: more balanced narrative framework for responsible communication and Gen Z engagement (including no-alcohol ).
• Cremisan (Bethlehem) – Italian-Palestinian winery with strong social and educational impact: native wines as a tool for cooperation and human rights; awareness-raising tasting in Italy (Genoa, September 19).
• US Trade – " Trump's tariffs " on Italian wine: an issue to address in terms of margins and export pricing ; scenario planning with distributors and promotional hedging is necessary.

Wine events

• Franciacorta in Cantina Festival (September 19–21) – 2025 edition, marking the Consortium's 35th anniversary; Franciacorta named International Wine Region of the Year (Wine Enthusiast). Wide-ranging program including tastings, tours, and hospitality; special focus on La Montina (themed tours and tastings).
• Flavors of Italy Fair – Frascati (September 18–28) – Villa Torlonia, 11 days of regional cuisines, masterclasses, and cooking demonstrations. Free admission, token-operated.
• Vo' Grape Festival – Euganean Hills (19–21 September) – 74th edition, parade of floats with real grapes, tastings and open cellars: strong appeal for experiential tourism .
• Nizza is – Nizza Monferrato (4–6 October) – Over 120 Nizza DOCG wines from 70 producers, stalls showcasing nuances of terroir; a focus on Roccaverano DOP and a photography exhibition “Inside the Vineyard”.
• Serdiana Wine Festival – Intrecci di Vite (October 4) – Open doors to the wineries of Southern Sardinia: tours of local grape varieties, pairings, and Sardinian culture.
• Gallarate – Wine Festival (1–5 October) – City event with tastings and an institutional charity cookoff (local “Masterchef”) in support of the Family Bank.
• Slow Wine 2026 – Milan (October 18, Superstudio Maxi) – A grand tasting featuring 800 wines and 133 new entries in the guide; Sardinia takes center stage with four new entries: a sign of renewal and active scouting.
• Autumn Wine Tourism – Itineraries in Northern Italy (excluding Trentino-Alto Adige): Harvests, tastings, and winery visits drive ancillary revenue and reduce seasonality.

Strategic reading (flash)

• Sparkling Italian brand in full competitive momentum: leverage the awards momentum for Q4 and year-end sell-in campaigns.
• Capex & Transition : €222 million Ismea window (2024) to be addressed with projects on quality, energy efficiency, wine tourism and digital hospitality.
• Climate & quality : agronomic adaptation (emergency irrigation, night-time harvesting, plot selection) as a factor of stylistic continuity.
• Export : scouting and road-to-market in Vietnam and Mexico; regulatory/commercial oversight in the USA.
• Brand experience : iconic architecture, local events, and open-door formats increase perceived value and direct traffic to the winery.

Thanks for listening: today's review is brought to you by QUIDQUID .

Welcome to the review: a selection, summary, and strategic overview of key news for those working in the wine industry.

Italian wineries

• Centinari (Franciacorta) – A double Grand Gold Medal winner at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (Effervescent Session 2025, Chisinau) and a showcase for the leadership of Paola Togni's children, Elisa Scarabotti and Andrea Scarabotti (the surname used in the review is Centinari), who run the company with her. This is a strong signal of the premium positioning of Brescia's sparkling wines.
• Frasca Marchet (Valdobbiadene DOCG) – Rediscovering authentic “frasca” in Guia: rural hospitality, identity, and local storytelling as levers of experiential value.
• La Vigna di Sarah (Vittorio Veneto) – Night harvest : an agronomic and winemaking choice to preserve the aromatic integrity of the Glera and reduce post-harvest cooling.
• Terre d'Oltrepò (Broni) – "Supplementary wine" trial: closing arguments in Pavia and pending verdict. Reputational issue to be monitored for the entire district.
• Designer wineries – Rocca di Frassinello (Renzo Piano) and Antinori nel Chianti Classico (Archea): architecture as a driver of brand equity and medium-high ticket wine tourism.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• Italy at the CMB – effervescent – 97 award-winning wines: 2 Grand Gold, 25 Gold, 70 Silver . Nearly a third of Italian labels won medals, 10% vs. the previous edition: export traction and a consolidated reputation in sparkling wines.
• ISMEA – Innovation Fund – 2024 allocation increased to €222 million (reallocation of resources 2025) to absorb >6,000 applications: tactical window for investments by wineries and supply chains.
• Gambero Rosso – Tre Bicchieri 2026 Sicily – Champions 2023–24 highlight the impact of downy mildew in 2023 and climate- related criticalities in 2024 (less tense whites; reds with greener tannins): focus on irrigation management and harvest timing.
• Assoenologi (Cotarella) – Understanding the crisis : exogenous factors, a cohesive supply chain response, and protecting wine's value as a strategic priority.
• Equipment/consumption – Haier HWS34GGH1 wine cellar (34 bottles, anti-UV glass, 37 dB, smart control): growing home-cellaring segment, bridge between conscious consumption and domestic trade-up.

International

• BolognaFiere → United Experience (30%) – Wine Experience is born: 2026 stops in London , Ho Chi Minh City , and Mexico City . Markets: UK consolidated; Vietnam booming (Italy at 24% import, forecast 45% vol / 90% val by 2027); Mexico growing (target $6 billion 2030).
• EU/WHO Policy (CEEV – Sanchez Recarte) – WHO draft aimed at combating abuse , not consumption tout-court: more balanced narrative framework for responsible communication and Gen Z engagement (including no-alcohol ).
• Cremisan (Bethlehem) – Italian-Palestinian winery with strong social and educational impact: native wines as a tool for cooperation and human rights; awareness-raising tasting in Italy (Genoa, September 19).
• US Trade – " Trump's tariffs " on Italian wine: an issue to address in terms of margins and export pricing ; scenario planning with distributors and promotional hedging is necessary.

Wine events

• Franciacorta in Cantina Festival (September 19–21) – 2025 edition, marking the Consortium's 35th anniversary; Franciacorta named International Wine Region of the Year (Wine Enthusiast). Wide-ranging program including tastings, tours, and hospitality; special focus on La Montina (themed tours and tastings).
• Flavors of Italy Fair – Frascati (September 18–28) – Villa Torlonia, 11 days of regional cuisines, masterclasses, and cooking demonstrations. Free admission, token-operated.
• Vo' Grape Festival – Euganean Hills (19–21 September) – 74th edition, parade of floats with real grapes, tastings and open cellars: strong appeal for experiential tourism .
• Nizza is – Nizza Monferrato (4–6 October) – Over 120 Nizza DOCG wines from 70 producers, stalls showcasing nuances of terroir; a focus on Roccaverano DOP and a photography exhibition “Inside the Vineyard”.
• Serdiana Wine Festival – Intrecci di Vite (October 4) – Open doors to the wineries of Southern Sardinia: tours of local grape varieties, pairings, and Sardinian culture.
• Gallarate – Wine Festival (1–5 October) – City event with tastings and an institutional charity cookoff (local “Masterchef”) in support of the Family Bank.
• Slow Wine 2026 – Milan (October 18, Superstudio Maxi) – A grand tasting featuring 800 wines and 133 new entries in the guide; Sardinia takes center stage with four new entries: a sign of renewal and active scouting.
• Autumn Wine Tourism – Itineraries in Northern Italy (excluding Trentino-Alto Adige): Harvests, tastings, and winery visits drive ancillary revenue and reduce seasonality.

Strategic reading (flash)

• Sparkling Italian brand in full competitive momentum: leverage the awards momentum for Q4 and year-end sell-in campaigns.
• Capex & Transition : €222 million Ismea window (2024) to be addressed with projects on quality, energy efficiency, wine tourism and digital hospitality.
• Climate & quality : agronomic adaptation (emergency irrigation, night-time harvesting, plot selection) as a factor of stylistic continuity.
• Export : scouting and road-to-market in Vietnam and Mexico; regulatory/commercial oversight in the USA.
• Brand experience : iconic architecture, local events, and open-door formats increase perceived value and direct traffic to the winery.

Thanks for listening: today's review is brought to you by QUIDQUID .