Wine press review for Tuesday, April 28, 2026!

Italian wineries

Serena Wines 1881 expands its positioning. At Vinitaly 2026, the company presented new directions: Classic Method, a 0.0 alcohol-free line, mixology, and a strengthening of the Quality Times concept. Prosecco remains central, but is opening up to new consumption trends.

Masi Agricola looks to 2026 with caution and ambition. The group aims to outperform the market thanks to a premium brand present in over 140 countries, despite a context marked by weak consumption and financial uncertainty.

Massimago tells the story of the Other Valpolicella Camilla Rossi Chauvenet continues to promote a more contemporary Valpolicella, with distinctive wines, hospitality, and a local story.

Cantine Lento flies with Calabrian wine on the papal journey. Rosa di Lento and Magliocco were served aboard Pope Leo XIV's flight to Africa: a symbolic recognition for Calabrian winemaking.

Cantina Sciore expands its hospitality offering. The Ponte-based family business is consolidating its hospitality project with new spaces, after transitioning from bulk sales to bottled production.

Colli Fiorentini experiments with Chianti for young people. In collaboration with the University of Florence, “EH!” is born, a fresher, more agile and modern Chianti DOCG, designed to introduce new generations to red wine.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

People drink less in restaurants, but better . The decline in consumption is also affecting restaurants. Some establishments are responding with lower markups, more carefully curated options by the glass, and better-value wine lists.

Art and wine: wineries speak new languages. Pasqua Vini and Zenato confirm how art, photography, fashion, and culture are becoming increasingly important tools for communicating identity, territory, and brand.

NoLo Wines: the sober future of toasting is growing. Low- and no-alcohol wines are appealing to health, new habits, and young consumers, opening up an increasingly relevant segment.

Wine Prices Fall Despite Inflation According to Il Corriere Vinicolo, in March the consumer price of wine fell by 2.1%, bucking the trend of food.

The Casauria DOCG is born. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo achieves a new territorial excellence, linked to a historical and soil-climatic area with a strong identity.

Brettanomyces: integrated control is needed in the cellar. Microbiological stability requires prevention, monitoring, and combined interventions: SO₂, chitosan, bioprotection, and careful management of critical phases.

Vigneto Italia in Rome's Botanical Garden An example of urban and extreme agriculture: 520 square meters of vineyard in the heart of the capital, between the Aurelian Walls and the Janiculum Hill.

Agricultural Expropriation: Properly Protecting Value For agricultural and vineyard land, it is essential to document actual crops, urban planning intent, and legitimate structures to protect compensation.

International

Italian wine looks to Sweden and Serbia The “Simply Italian Great Wines” tour stops in Stockholm and Belgrade, confirming the importance of diversifying export markets.

US exports drop sharply in January 2026 According to WineNews analysis of Istat data, Italian exports to the United States fell 35.2% in value, in a context also affected by the effect of tariffs.

Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Logistics Under Pressure Geopolitical tensions can impact delivery times, costs, and product availability, making greater commercial flexibility crucial.

Sardinia takes center stage in London. 27 Sardinian companies participated in the Real Italian Wine & Food Experience, with the aim of strengthening relationships and commercial opportunities in the British market.

ITA Airways renews its partnership with Aneri Italian wine continues to be an ambassador around the world, even in flight, with the strengthening of the collaboration between ITA Airways and Aneri.

Bolaffi Auction: Collectible wines such as Henri Jayer, Masseto, Barolo Monfortino, Château Latour, and Romanée-Conti are among the top lots in the "Fine Wines and Spirits" auction on May 6 and 7.

Wine events

Casarsa Wine Festival 2026 Inaugurated on April 25th with “Filari di Bolle,” markets, amusement park, technical conferences, and a focus on the ecological transition in viticulture.

Alta Langa Roma 2026 On Monday 11 May, at the Spazio Field in Palazzo Brancaccio, 47 producers will present 115 labels of Alte Bollicine Piemontesi.

Experiences among vineyards and nature at Palazzo di Varignana. Guided hikes, tastings, and immersive tours exploring the landscape, biodiversity, and the estate's wines will resume on May 3rd.

Cantine Aperte Abruzzo 2026 On May 30th and 31st, 50 Abruzzo companies will welcome enthusiasts and visitors with tastings and cellar tours.

Vino al Vino in Cantina in Panzano in Chianti On May 2nd and 3rd, 15 wineries of the Panzano Winegrowers' Union will open their doors to wine lovers with four dedicated tours.

Venetian bacari: the ritual of ombra and cicchetti. A tour of the bacari remains one of the most authentic Venetian social experiences, combining wine, tradition, and conviviality.

Final summary for the web

Today's wine show confirms a sector undergoing rapid transformation: people are drinking less, but the opportunities, languages, and consumption patterns are profoundly changing. There's a growing focus on price, wines by the glass, NoLo, mixology, and new offerings targeted at young people. Italian wineries are responding by focusing on their identity, art, hospitality, technology, and foreign markets.

On the international front, exports and geopolitics remain key issues: the United States is declining, new opportunities are emerging in Sweden, Serbia, and the United Kingdom, while global logistics require greater flexibility. Despite these challenges, Italian wine continues to stand out as a cultural, economic, and territorial asset.

Today's wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .