Wine press review for Wednesday, November 19, 2025!

ITALIAN WINERIES

Berlucchi and the premium segment The Franciacorta winery consolidates its high-end strategy with the new Riserva Franco Ziliani 2011: fewer than 5,000 bottles, symbolizing a repositioning aimed at protecting value and brand during a complex market phase.

Bertinga invests in Chianti Classico. Approximately €5 million for the new 17-meter-deep underground cellar: production efficiency, quality, and a welcoming architecture. A decisive step to consolidate its presence in Gaiole.

Avignonesi presents the Vino Nobile 2015 Late Release, a limited edition of 9,000 bottles, launched in Milan and Rome with an artistic project by Carlo Stanga. A celebration of the great Sangiovese vintages.

Caiarossa and Château Giscours celebrate together. The Tuscan estate celebrates the triumph of its French sister: Château Giscours's Margaux 2022 is Wine Spectator's 2025 Wine of the Year. This success for the group strengthens its international positioning.

Cotarella: Montiano 2021 in the Top 100. Historic entry: it's the top Lazio wine in Wine Spectator's international ranking. This recognition recognizes the entire region.

Castello di Torre in Pietra Winery welcomes the Korean delegation. Confagricoltura presents advanced viticulture and olive growing techniques to delegates from the Rural Development Administration Korea.

La Torre celebrates 100 years. Dinner in the cellar and a gastronomic journey to tell the story of a century of history and production identity in Mocasina.

Cantina Produttori Cormòns: between memory and territory. A signature evening at the Ora d'Aria restaurant, a tribute to a history of personal and cultural affection tied to Friulian wines.

Cantina del Rimedio – Vernaccia di Oristano takes center stage. Coldiretti's second event is dedicated to promoting the unique production area of Vernaccia DOC.

Former Formigine Social Cellar: Innovative Redevelopment The "New Garden City" project is progressing thanks to a €1 million real estate equity crowdfunding campaign.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY: ITALY

Wine Spectator Top 100: 20 Italian Labels. The Italian brand continues to thrive in the US despite the decline due to tariffs. Tuscany dominates (10 labels), followed by Piedmont (3) and a widespread representation from Lazio to Sicily. Chianti Classico leads the way with 5 wines.

Challenges for Italian wine: tariffs, young people, and new markets. Priorities emerge at the Leonardo Committee conference: conquering South America and India, reaching out to new generations, strengthening the supply chain, and addressing climate and regulations.

Alcohol labeling: Ireland steps back. Confagricoltura welcomes the revision of Dublin's legislation: it hopes for a harmonized European approach to avoid market distortions.

Valpolicella: Amarone & Valpolicella Superiore On Ice The Consortium's "Young Group" launches a reflection on the serving temperature of red wines. This is not just a technical issue, but a cultural one, in keeping with the new climate.

Franciacorta at the Vatican Brescia's sparkling wine was the "vin d'honneur" at the Pope's audience with the world of cinema, in a gesture of strong symbolic value.

Romagna at the center of the debate at the Chiostri Danteschi, the event "L'oro di Bacco": tradition and future of the district as a model of cohesion.

Wine Cities: Planning and Accessibility Urbanpromo hosts a discussion on food security, accessibility, and the role of wine cities in territorial regeneration.

FIVI's production warning: "Beware of producing more than necessary": the risk is a repeat of the milk quota crisis. A balance is needed between permits, soil protection, and the sustainability of family farms.

INTERNATIONAL

Wine Spectator Top 100: French triumph: Château Giscours 2022 (Margaux) is the wine of the year. France is represented with 20 labels, the USA with 33, and Spain with 8.

Bolaffi Auction: French wines on the podium, but Italy in excellent form. Romanée-Conti and Petrus lead the way, but Piedmont and Tuscany remain key players among global buyers thanks to high-profile Barolos and Barbarescos.

WINE EVENTS

A packed agenda from Turin to Florence and Bologna: from the ATP Finals with Asti DOCG as the Official Sparkling Wine, to the AIS tastings of “Vitae in deguStazione” in Florence, to the great “Independent Winegrowers' Market” FIVI in Bologna. Closing out the year, also the centenary of the Valpolicella Consortium and the 30th anniversary of the IGT Toscana.

Vins Extrêmes 2025 – Forte di Bard The show dedicated to heroic viticulture returns: slopes, altitudes, islands and biodiversity take center stage.

Granaccia & Rossi di Liguria in Quiliano , 70 wineries, a theme dedicated to the Grenache family and guided tastings on the Italian territories of the variety.

Benvenuto Brunello – Montalcino The 34th edition of the preview starts November 20th: tasting Brunello 2021, Riserva 2020 and Rosso 2024. Strong international presence with the United States in the lead.

Vini in Villa – Lugano Villa Ciani hosts 40 wineries and over 200 Ticino wines: a festival dedicated to the region's evolving identity.

Thanks for listening: today's review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . The world of wine continues to move rapidly; every piece of news is a useful signal for clearly understanding the direction the sector is headed and where real opportunities lie.