Wine press review for Tuesday, December 16, 2025!

Italian wineries

A Century of Monfortino by Giacomo Conterno, a historic vertical tasting . From the first bottles in the 1920s to its contemporary legend: Monfortino began as a "peasant wine" and became one of the most enduring and iconic Italian reds, capable of spanning the century without losing its identity.

Collio wines and artisanal flours for Christmas: an appeal from flood-affected businesses. Businesses affected by the November 17 flood are joining forces for a charity sale of artisanal wines and flours, turning Christmas gifts into tangible aid for reconstruction.

Cantine del Notaio: Why make wine in 2025? Gerardo Giuratrabocchetti discusses the profound meaning of winemaking today: family tradition, territorial identity, and a lever for economic and social development for the Vulture area and Southern Italy.

The Tommasini sisters showcase Valpolicella with a range of seven labels, including the R'Osè Spumante Brut Metodo Martinotti, a fresh and accessible expression of the region.

La Vrille, a wine that fuses landscape and history. In Chambave, the 2022 Moscato Passito won the Gran Medaglia d'Oro at Città del Vino, rewarding a landscape restoration project and native vines.

Carema DOC 2021 – Sorpasso A mountain wine that expresses complexity with elegance, born on heroic terraces between 300 and 700 meters, the result of an authentic family project.

Alba Winery: Grand Gold Medal for the 2023 Cagnulari The 2023 Dedola Cagnulari IGT Isola dei Nuraghi confirms the excellence of the grape variety that is the symbol of northwestern Sardinia.

Cantina Marilina, the (successful) gamble on Grecanico In the Val di Noto, Angelo Paternò is building a counter-current project that restores dignity and centrality to a great Sicilian white.

Cantina di Ramuscello: second edition of "Vino Terre" The 2023 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso DOC Friuli ages underground, in an experimental project that unites territory, art, and community.

Cantina Tramin presents Epokale 2017. The Gewürztraminer aged for seven years in the mine speaks of time as an oenological ingredient, a symbol of balance between cooperative tradition and modern vision.

Antonella Corda Winery: Gold at Cannonau 2022 The Serdiana boutique winery won the Gold Medal at Città del Vino, confirming the value of quality Sardinian viticulture.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Wine, harvests, and taverns from the Middle Ages to the Grape Festival. A historical and cultural journey through the grape harvest, traditions, and local identities, with Lonigo a protagonist since the 17th century for the excellence of its wines.

Trentodoc from the peaks to the depths From maturing at the foot of the Presena glacier to the depths of Lake Garda: mountain bubbles explore new extreme boundaries.

Luigi Moio: "We're developing a low-alcohol wine." Sustainability, new challenges, and university education: the future of wine lies in research, alcohol reduction, and a systemic approach.

Valentino Ciarla, the consulting winemaker between old vines and the future. A profile that combines international experience, a passion for historic vineyards, and attention to the territory as a key to evolution.

Brugherio: Super sommelier Paolo Porfidio's "Pigmento di vigna" has been named one of Golosaria's 100 best Italian wines, confirming the increasingly close dialogue between sommeliers and winemakers.

Sangue di Giuda dell'Oltrepò Pavese Doc 2024 – Quaquarini Awarded as the best sparkling sweet wine in the 2026 Winemag Guide, a symbol of quality also accessible in large-scale retail trade.

International

The 64 best Champagnes to give as gifts at Christmas Despite the global decline in volumes, Champagne remains a living icon: Asia and emerging markets are driving new growth prospects.

Wine events, wine tourism and taste culture

Wine and EU Funds: More Flexibility and Simplifications The "Wine Package" introduces simplified labeling, more flexible funding, support for wine tourism, and new anti-crisis measures.

CMO Wine – Restructuring and Reconversion of Vineyards The Calabria Region approves the final ranking of beneficiaries for the 2025/2026 campaign.

Christmas Gift: A Wine Tasting in a Sicilian Winery Wine tourism as an emotional experience: Winery Tasting Sicily offers a visit to a winery as a cultural and sensory gift.

Monte Baldo: the winery a stone's throw from the sky. The debut of the Trentodoc sparkling wines from the Veronesi family's Oniwines project, featuring high altitude, strategic investments, and integrated distribution.

Cortina, Olympic Flavors New openings and top chefs are reshaping the Cortina gastronomic landscape in preparation for the Olympics.

Origin and Ecstasy: Acqua&Farina's tasting itineraries. Pizza as a cultural and gastronomic tale, combining research, sustainability, and accessibility.

Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian DOC Wines – 2025 Report: Market growth, a recovering harvest, and new strategies for promoting native grape varieties: the Sicilia DOC consolidates its global role.

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