Wine press review for Wednesday, February 25, 2026!

Italian wineries

• Brave Wine, Renzo Rosso's evolutionary project. The entrepreneur relaunches wine as a long-term industrial project: investments in new companies, including abroad, and a focus on iconic regions. Wine as a cultural and strategic asset, not a hobby.
• Faretra acquires Querce Bettina in Montalcino. From Maremma to Brunello: a consolidation operation in one of the most iconic regions of Italian high-end winemaking. Limited production, strong exports, and extremely high land values: Montalcino remains a magnet for patient capital.
• Garofano celebrates 30 years with a new Fiano del Salento. After Negroamaro, the opening to white wines marks a phase of broadening identity and a more nuanced understanding of the territory.
• Castello di Razzano, Monferrato "Tuscan Style" Vineyards, olive groves, hospitality, and sold-out tours: Monferrato is experimenting with an increasingly experience-oriented, integrated model.
• Cantina Valpolicella Negrar bids farewell to Daniele Accordini. Over thirty years of cooperative leadership and vision: a generational transition that concludes an important historical phase.
• Four friends, no vineyard, success in the Castelli Romani. The “Icaro” project demonstrates that, with vision and identity, even new winemakers can build fame and a following.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• Growing stocks: UIV calls for production flexibility. Stocks reach 61 million hectoliters (up 6%). The proposal: revise the Consolidated Wine Act to adapt production potential to the market. A key issue for CFOs and winery governance.
• CAP 2026: Unified application deadline by May 15. Agea deadlines confirmed, along with updates on young farmers and eco-schemes. Administrative planning increasingly crucial.
• EU Wine Package: Breakthrough for Southern Italy. European approval for measures to rebalance supply and demand, targeted grubbing-up, export support, and regulatory simplification.
• Chianti Classico Collection 2026 Gran Selezione and Riserva as a territorial manifesto: less power, more identity. The UGAs become a strategic key.
• Umbria, a "boutique" wine region . 20 wineries awarded: lower volumes, greater recognition. A model that can be replicated for non-industrial areas.
• Smell as the primary sense of wine. From the Naf – Nose Art Festival, a reflection that unites science, art, and food and wine: wine as a cognitive experience, not just a product.

International

• The first non-alcoholic Cru Classé Bordeaux is born. From Saint-Émilion comes a 0.0% Merlot for €57. This zero/low-alcohol wine officially enters the premium segment. This is a sign not to be underestimated.
• Maurizio Martina, candidate for FAO leadership , applauds FederBio's decision to strengthen Italy's influence in global agricultural and food policies.

Wine events

• "Dining with the King of Chefs" in Cocconato d'Asti. From Escoffier to Pollo alla Marengo, Monferrato celebrates history, cuisine, and local identity.
• Terre di Toscana – 18th edition There's also room for older vintages: 40 years of regional winemaking history up for tasting.
• Rebel Queen – Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Fest 2026 Edition between historical anniversaries and contemporary languages.
• Slow Wine Fair 2026 Ten wines to remember at a fair that confirms the centrality of ethics, direct relationships, and the "livability" of wine.
• City Cellars – Ravenna Over 150 wines for tasting: wine returns to the spotlight in urban spaces.
• AI in the cellar and in the food industry. In Cremona, SMEs are learning to communicate with algorithms: innovation is becoming part of the daily life of family businesses.
• Umbria del Vino: 57 wineries competing. The competition is a tool for comparison and growth, rather than for medals.
• Wine Spectator awards the Casa Italia Wine List – Milano Cortina 2026 Italian viticulture takes center stage on the international Olympic stage.

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