Wine press review for Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Italian wineries

Pasqua Vini enters the Sicilian market by acquiring 70% of the "Sangue d'Oro" winery owned by Carole Bouquet, a famous actress and producer of Passito di Pantelleria. This strategic investment, described by Riccardo Pasqua as "a gem consistent with our vision of value growth."

Cantina Venosa invests €3.4 million in wine tourism in Basilicata. The Lucanian cooperative is focusing on wine tourism with a new 1,100-square-meter wing dedicated to hospitality. The goal is to promote Aglianico del Vulture, the "Barolo of the South," strengthening the synergy between production and hospitality.

Erste Neue celebrates 125 years and presents the new Puntay vintages. From the historic South Tyrolean winery come the new labels of the Puntay line, the pinnacle of organic production and a symbol of winemaking precision and sustainability in the heart of Caldaro.

Branchini 1858: Dozza's tradition of Albana and Sangiovese. With 167 years of history, the Branchini winery continues to innovate, producing sparkling Albana and offering modern interpretations of Romagna grape varieties. One of the oldest family-run wineries in Emilia-Romagna.

Le Marchesine: hospitality and precision in the heart of Franciacorta. In the Passirano area, the Biatta family combines method and human warmth, keeping alive the Franciacorta philosophy: harmony between landscape, tradition, and technology.

Bidoli, the vineyard-free winery showcasing the best of Friuli. Founded in 1924 and now run by the third generation, the Bidoli family produces quality wines in a former industrial complex renovated according to green building principles. A rare example of an "architectural winery."

Italian wine and national enology

Fine Wine, between a market correction and a return to experience . The fine wine sector is undergoing a period of reflection. Global production is at its lowest since 1961, and consumption is declining (-3.3%) according to the OIV. Even the top segments are feeling the effects of the "luxury correction" (-3.3% in 2024), but interest in the cultural and sensorial value of wine is growing.

Tre Bicchieri 2026: Piedmont Dominates Gambero Rosso confirms the strength of Piedmontese reds—Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera—but notes the resurgence of regional whites, which now represent 20% of the award-winning labels.

Wine is a political act. Four documentaries from the Emplacing Food project explore wine as a cultural landscape, a collective identity, and the language of the territory. A journey through vineyards as spaces of memory and choice.

The art of winemaking in Romagna: 20 years of "Vini ad Arte" (Artistic Wines). The 16 new subzones of Romagna were presented in Faenza, the result of the work of consortia, geologists, and producers. A region that today presents itself with awareness and cohesion.

Alcohol-free wines, a lively debate among producers and sommeliers. While awaiting the implementing decree, the debate is lively. Producers complain about cultural obstacles and resistance in the restaurant industry, but the low-alcohol market is growing and preparing for regulatory acceleration.

Wine as a Dual Nature: An Interview with Philosopher Massimo Donà “Wine is both the devil and holy water,” explains Donà, recalling wine’s Dionysian duality and its power to unite opposites: pleasure and anxiety, truth and illusion.

UN and wine: Marzia Varvaglione (CEEV) appeals. The UN document on non-communicable diseases recognizes the distinction between abuse and moderate consumption, but the CEEV president urges caution: "The game is not over, wine remains under observation."

Lambrusco in fabula: the wine loved by poets and Nobel laureates. A literary journey through Carducci, Deledda, and Montale that recounts the cultured and popular charm of Lambrusco, a wine that spans the ages and emotions.

International wine

Italian wine makes a charge in the States: Vinitaly.USA in Chicago. With exports of 1.2 billion euros in the first seven months of 2025, despite tariffs and slowdowns, Italy confirms its strength in the United States.

Simply Italian Great Wines Tour: Between Mexico and the USA. Over 60 Italian wineries are featured in the international tour organized by IEM. Stops in Mexico City, Los Angeles, and New York promote Italian wine in North American markets.

Tea-flavored wine is becoming increasingly popular in China. The Chinese market is experimenting with new fusions between tradition and modernity: “Hi-Tea Wines” combine white wine and iced jasmine, oolong, and maojian tea, targeting young urban consumers.

Events and wine tourism

Opera Wine 2026: "Legacy Icons," "Classics," and "New Voices" of Italian Wine. Wine Spectator presents the list of 150 protagonists for the next edition, including historic names and newcomers. The event will open Vinitaly 2026 on April 11 in Verona.

MonteNapoleone Harvest: "Brindisi in Boutique" Returns. On Thursday, October 9th, the streets of Milan's Quadrilatero district will fill with glasses and glamour for the most glittering evening of the event.

Morbegno in Cantina: a successful second weekend. With 4,600 passes sold and a festive atmosphere, the Valtellina event confirms its ability to attract audiences and promote local wine through culture and conviviality.

From Villages and Wineries: the Taste Caravan in the Province of Siena. From October 16th to November 27th, six evenings of tastings and traditional dishes, from Montalcino to San Gimignano. An initiative of Confcommercio Siena with Vetrina Toscana.

Tuscan Wine Tourism: The Model of Variety According to CESEO and LUMSA University, Tuscany stands out for its ability to welcome novices and enthusiasts with diverse, high-quality experiences.

Alto Adige Wine Road: Flavor and Breathtaking Views Sixteen wine-producing villages, over 4,000 hectares of vineyards, and a long tradition: an itinerary of events, tastings, and wine culture lessons.

Prosecco Hills: a journey through the wineries of Valdobbiadene, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of Prosecco Superiore. Valdobbiadene offers tours, villages, and pairings that reveal the soul of Veneto's winemaking tradition.

Verbicaro, city of wine and wineries. Between the sea and the mountains, this Calabrian village in the Pollino area combines spirituality and winemaking tradition, home to the famous Verbicaro DOC.

30 Years of "Vino al Vino" in Panzano in Chianti. A weekend of tastings and reflections in the heart of Chianti Classico, exploring the memory, territory, and resilience of an iconic denomination.

Closure

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