Wine press review for Tuesday, February 24, 2026!

Italian wineries

Irpinia, saving the "starseta": the ancient vineyard as a living heritage. In Irpinia, a group of winemakers is mobilizing to preserve the starseta vineyard , a historic training system that characterizes the landscape of the Taurasi area. Tall, intertwined vines, often planted with fruit trees, tell the story of a complex peasant viticulture, now threatened by abandonment but central to the area's identity.

Marchesi Frescobaldi presents the new CastelGiocondo vintages. Marchesi Frescobaldi presents the Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo 2021 and the Riserva Vigneto Ripe al Convento 2020: two interpretations that express the variety of Montalcino's soils and microclimates, with freshness, depth, and ripe tannins.

Cantine Di Marzo, the origins of Greco di Tufo. The history and identity of one of the most iconic families of Greco di Tufo, linked since the 19th century to the exploitation of tuff mines and the definition of one of Southern Italy's most distinctive white wines.

Orsogna Winery and the International Biodiversity Project The Orsogna Bio Cantina Sociale launches the "Biodiversity in and for the Vineyard" project with the Universities of Eastern Piedmont and Milan: replicable scientific guidelines to demonstrate that production quality and ecosystem protection are allies, not alternatives.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Piedmont, the Consortia raise the alarm: "Structural and market crisis." At the Agriculture Commission in Turin, the Consortia spoke of a widespread crisis affecting iconic denominations such as Barolo and Barbaresco, comparable in severity to the 2008 and 2020 phases.

Valpolicella Ripasso DOP: recall due to incomplete labeling. Some batches of Valpolicella Ripasso DOP Superiore Corte della Pieve, bottled by Enoitalia, have been recalled due to the lack of the "contains sulfites" label. The warning was issued by the IN's Mercato chain.

How to Buy Wine at the Supermarket Without Mistakes: From paying attention to the vintage to storage conditions: expert advice for avoiding disappointing purchases, including real deals and bottles penalized by light and heat.

Viticulture: Downy Mildew, Protection from A to Z Technical focus on the management of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), from bud break to pre-harvest, with integrated defense strategies and targeted anti-downy mildew programs.

International and sector policies

EU, new wine reform: more climate resilience and less bureaucracy. The Council of the European Union approves the new regulation reshaping the wine sector: balancing supply and demand, administrative simplification, new rules on labeling, exports, and wine tourism.

Green light for the Wine Package from the Agrifish Council. Production control measures approved, greater coverage against climate risks and new definitions for dealcohol-free and reduced-alcohol wines, with EU contributions of up to 80% for environmental investments.

Tariffs and trade tensions: Italian companies on alert. After the G7 trade summit, Minister Antonio Tajani urges companies to maintain investments in the United States, amid growing demand for stability and the protection of international agreements.

Italian oil: exports grow, but production and margins suffer According to the Mediobanca Research Area, Italy is losing its global production share (6.3%) despite strong export growth (40.7%), squeezed between price volatility and structural deficiencies.

Italian organic market hits record highs in 2025. The organic market will reach €6.9 billion (6.2%), driven by large-scale retail and out-of-home dining. Data presented in Bologna at Sana Food and the Slow Wine Fair.

Wine events and wine culture

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Italian City of Wine 2026/2027 190 events are underway across Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, Pieve di Soligo and other municipalities in the province of Treviso, coordinated by the National Association of Wine Cities.

Luca Maroni's Best Italian Wines: 25 Years of Tastings In Rome, the historic event celebrates a quarter century with tastings, workshops, and a focus on new trends, from dealcoholized wines to the sparkling wine method.

Slow Wine Fair: "Wine is only good if it's right." Slow Food focuses on agricultural work and the ethical supply chain, revitalizing the link between wine quality and respect for people.

Vermouth Show: over 10,000 attendees in Turin. The third edition exceeds expectations and consolidates vermouth as a protagonist of renewed international cultural and commercial interest.

VinNatur Tasting 2026 in Gambellara From April 11 to 13, 180 winemakers from six countries will be present. The Association des Vins Libres d'Alsace will also be present. This edition celebrates Luigi Veronelli's centenary.

Wine Spectator awards the Gold Medal to the Casa Italia selection, which it calls a celebration of Italy's winemaking biodiversity.

Lazio wines take center stage at Slow Wine. Twenty-eight regional wineries showcased in Bologna, with the support of the Lazio Region and ARSIAL, to strengthen the region's quality positioning.

Tastings at Villa Selvatico (Euganean Hills) Sunday, March 1, 2026, tastings of local products and crafts in a historical-naturalistic setting, including picnics, aperitifs, and the culture of taste.

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