Wine Press Review for Wednesday, November 12, 2025

ITALIAN WINERIES

Damilano presents its 2021 Barolos, and the new generation of the Casa Cipriani family provided the backdrop for the presentation of the new Damilano Barolo vintage. Raviole, Brunate, Cerequio, and Cannubi showcased the elegance and structure of the 2021 vintage, the fruit of a short but balanced harvest. The winery looks to the future with the new generation, amidst geopolitical uncertainty and strategic solidity.

Cantina Tramin unveils Epokale 17: Gewürztraminer as a vocation. The Alto Adige cooperative, led by Willi Stürz and Wolfgang Klotz, renews its connection with Termeno's iconic grape variety. Epokale 17 is the result of a long-term winemaking project focused on the excellence of mountain white wines, confirming Tramin as the "Home of Gewürztraminer."

Tal 1930 e 1908: Cantina Bolzano and the two-Michelin-starred Terra di Sarentino join forces to tell the story of the evolution of taste. A dialogue between fine cuisine and fine wines: the historic South Tyrolean winery and the two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Sarentino offer a journey that combines lightness, vegetal ingredients, and oenological refinement.

Terre d'Aenòr wins the 2025 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships. The Franciacorta winery won the title of "Best Organic Franciacorta" for its Brut NV Magnum and a double Gold Medal for its Satèn Ricciolina. This success cements Terre d'Aenòr's place among the leading names in Italian organic sparkling wines.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Italian wine: exports growing (1.5%), quality consolidating. With over €8.2 billion in value and 48 million hectoliters of wine produced, Italy remains the world's leading exporter by volume and second by value. Between successes and concerns over US tariffs, Italian wine is experiencing strong competitiveness on global markets.

Inventories rise to 44.5 million hectoliters: the market is in decline. The ICQRF's "Cantina Italia" report reports a 5.2% annual decline. Lower yields and production reduction strategies are emerging as necessary responses to market saturation.

Rigotti (Confcooperative): "Cooperatives support quality and local areas." At the meeting at Masaf, the president of Confcooperative's wine sector reiterated the importance of the cooperative model for promoting quality and for the connection between wine, tourism, and rural communities.

Drei (Fedagripesca): "Wine is food, not pure alcohol." During the same event, Drei emphasized the need for accurate information to combat the demonization of wine, recognizing its cultural and nutritional value.

Lollobrigida: "More funding for ICE, strengthening the promotion of Italian wine." Minister Masaf announces increased funding for international promotion, with the goal of consolidating traditional markets and opening new ones.

Finance focuses on wine and food: the "Compagnia del Gusto" is born. A project by the Cosulich family that aims to bring together Italian excellence in a single platform dedicated to promoting Made in Italy agri-food products.

Köcher: "The wines of the future will return to lightness." The founder of the Merano Wine Festival invites the sector to rediscover freshness and moderation, closing a memorable edition of the South Tyrolean event.

National Riesling Competition: Vigna Windbichel from Castel Juval-Unterortl wins. This Alto Adige wine prevails over 52 labels from six Italian regions, confirming Alto Adige's leadership in the quality and variety of mountain white wines.

INTERNATIONAL OENOLOGY

Shocking survey in France: 35,000 hectares of vineyards nearing uprooting. According to France Agrimer, over a third of French winemakers are considering uprooting due to the consumption crisis and export difficulties. The potential loss of acreage is equivalent to that of the Prosecco DOC.

Goodbye, classic bottles: Australian wine is turning to cans and mini formats. From Australian Vintage to Brown Brothers, producers are experimenting with smaller packaging and aluminum bottles to meet new consumption styles.

Italy, France, and Spain united in Rome to defend European wine. The three European wine powers met to discuss the new CAP 2028-2034, with the aim of protecting the supply chain and promoting sustainability and competitiveness.

Wine Oscars: The stars of Italian winemaking parade in Miami. Italy takes center stage at the Golden Vines, with Gabriele Gorelli, Italy's first Master of Wine, leading the masterclass dedicated to the peninsula's great terroirs.

Wine Spectator's "Top 100": Castello di Ama in the Top 10. The 2021 Chianti Classico San Lorenzo Gran Selezione takes the ninth spot in the American magazine's ranking, confirming the Black Rooster's prestige around the world.

Vinous Top 100: Castello di Monsanto's Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Il Poggio 2020 triumphs. The Tuscan wine was elected the best wine in the world by critic Antonio Galloni, who rewards Italian excellence as a symbol of authenticity and emotion.

WINE CULTURE AND EDUCATION

Drinking in Moderation: Online Course for Horeca Operators and Wineries The Wine in Moderation Association launches "Digital Responsive Service Training," a training program to spread responsible drinking and promote ethical wine culture.

When to uncork a wine? The value of time and evolution. An in-depth look at the power of aging: wine, a living being, continues to mutate in the bottle through micro-oxygenation that transforms its aroma and structure.

The 1840 Barolo that no one understood: a tale of its origins. A dive into the history of Bra and its fellow winemakers: a symbolic tale of the link between popular tradition and the birth of the great Barolo.

WINE EVENTS

“Gensy” 2025 in Palermo: wine returns to the forefront of conviviality. From November 7th to 9th, the Biennial Congress “La Sicilia di Ulisse” celebrates wine, food, and hospitality as tools of culture and sociality, with contributions from WineNews.

The FIVI Independent Winegrowers' Wine Market returns to BolognaFiere for its fourteenth edition from November 22nd to 24th: over 1,000 winemakers, 4 pavilions, and 4 masterclasses dedicated to the theme "Wine, Vineyards, Winegrowers: A Family Story."

Gold Guide I Vini di Veronelli 2026: presentation on November 13th in Bariano (BG) Twelve "Soli 2026" and a tasting open to the public: the new edition of the historic guide celebrates the creativity and expertise of Italy's finest winemakers.

Sparkle 2026: 92 sparkling wines awarded the "5 Spheres". The 24th edition of the Cucina & Vini guide will be held in Rome on November 29th, with Lombardy, Trentino, and Veneto leading the way.

TROPICAL SPRINT, the Amaro del Ciclista cocktail in pole position A new mix of sporty spirit and tropical soul conquers Italian aperitifs with Amaro del Ciclista, London Dry gin and passion fruit.

Wine tourism: for over half of foreigners, Italy is a culinary destination . 55% of European and American travelers associate Italy with wine and gastronomy. Rural landscapes and local restaurants remain key to the wine tourism appeal.

Press review by QUIDQUID In collaboration with WINEIDEA.IT “Knowledge is the best label to uncork every day.”