Wine press review for Tuesday, May 26, 2026!

Italian wineries

Cantina Valpolicella Negrar takes center stage at Cannes 2026. Domini Veneti and Cantina di Negrar are appearing at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, bringing Venetian excellence to one of the most exclusive venues for international networking between film, business, and lifestyle.

Varvaglione 1921 acquires Casino Nitti. The historic Apulian winery expands its assets with a new 70-hectare estate on the Ionian Sea, focusing on biodiversity and the valorization of the native grape varieties of Puglia and Campania.

Cantine Pellegrino launches "Bianco di Venere" in Pantelleria. A new Pantelleria DOC white wine dedicated to Lake Venus. The project strengthens the promotion of the island's dry wines and Pantelleria's heroic viticulture.

Zidarich invests in the Karst region. The Trieste-based winery is creating a new vineyard dedicated to Vitovska, Malvasia, and Franconia, while maintaining an artisanal and distinctive production philosophy.

New management for Cantine Turrini Valdo & Figlio. The Enoagrimm group integrates the historic Romagna-based company to ensure employment continuity and strengthen a winemaking hub between Emilia-Romagna and Puglia.

Cecchetto opens the winery to the local community. Starting in June 2026, the Vazzola site will host cultural events, workshops, and social activities to strengthen the connection between business, community, and sustainability.

Ca' di Rajo celebrates "Cantina in Festa" On May 31st, tastings, guided tours, sunset aperitifs, and music among the historic Bellussere of San Polo di Piave.

Cantina Augusta is participating in Cantine Aperte 2026, a weekend dedicated to guided tours, tastings, and local products at its Pramaggiore location.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Italian sparkling wine exports to the US slowed. In the first quarter of 2026, Italian sparkling wine exports to the US dropped 27% in value. Slowing consumption and lower American imports are weighing heavily.

Mediobanca: Italian wine under pressure in the US. In 2025, Italian wine sales in the United States fell by 6.3%. One in three producers reduced prices to defend market share.

Wine tourism increasingly strategic for Italian wine According to Nomisma, by 2025, wine tourism will account for an average of 21% of Italian wineries' turnover, with strong growth in visits and direct sales.

New US study on moderate alcohol consumption A research published in the “Journal of General Internal Medicine” highlights an increased cancer risk in heavy consumers but a reduced risk in moderate consumers.

Artimino relaunches the Mediterranean model of conscious consumption. In Carmignano, researchers, doctors, and experts discuss the cultural role of wine and the Mediterranean diet.

Piacenza wines: high quality but weak communication. The presentation of the Piacenza Expo Wine Fair highlighted the issue of insufficient marketing to promote local excellence.

Vermentino is increasingly international. Record participation at the 2026 International Vermentino Competition, with 382 wines competing and over 100 foreign labels.

Carpineto Obtains Gender Equality Certification. The historic Tuscan company receives UNI/PdR 125:2022, confirming the central role of women in the wine sector.

New beverage trends: Italian hop water arrives. A new hop-flavored non-alcoholic drink is born from Tuscany, inspired by US no-alcohol trends.

World Aperitivo Day: premium and alcohol-free consumption is on the rise. According to NielsenIQ, out-of-home aperitif consumption is increasing, driven by premium cocktails and low/no alcohol options.

Etiquette and new trends in dinner gift giving are increasingly choosing quality extra virgin olive oil instead of wine as a dinner gift.

International

Italian wine looks to the future from Cortina VinoVip Cortina 2026 will bring together industry icons such as Piero Antinori, Sandro Boscaini, and Fausto Maculan to discuss the global challenges facing wine.

Amaro Don Carlo wins awards abroad. The artisanal liqueur from Eboli wins medals at the Concours International de Lyon and the London Tasting Awards 2026.

Wine events

Open Cellars 2026 focuses on regenerative tourism. The Wine Tourism Movement transforms Italian wineries into places of immersive experiences combining wellness, nature, music, culture, and local gastronomy.

Cantine Aperte Toscana 2026 focuses on outdoor wellness, vineyard immersion, and new experiential experiences at participating Tuscan wineries.

Open Cellars in Paternopoli The Fonzone estate hosts a day dedicated to wine, conviviality, music, and the local area in the heart of Irpinia.

Open Cellars between Valpolicella and Lake Garda. Picnics among the vines, boat tours, jazz in the vineyards, and experiential tastings are on the program.

Feel Venice 2026 grows by 43% The Consorzio Vini Venezia event is a huge success, with over 1,000 attendees and sold-out workshops.

Radici del Sud returns to Gioia del Colle on June 8th. Over 80 Southern Italian companies are expected, with international juries dedicated to Southern Italian wines and oils.

Calici d'Estate 2026 in Ferrara From May 29th to June 2nd, the Darsena di San Paolo will host tastings, music, and entertainment dedicated to Italian wineries.

Vista Vino – Oinoe Vini A Traversetolo hosts a weekly event featuring tastings, buffets, and live music in the cellar.

VinoVip Cortina 2026 The Civiltà del Bere summit returns to the Dolomites with talk shows, tastings, and Grand Tastings from leading Italian wineries. Wine Idea Network continues to monitor trends, markets, exports, wine tourism, and strategies for Italian and international wine.

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