Wine press review for Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Italian wineries

• Siddùra: 2 competitions, 12 medals The Sardinian winery also wins 3 Platinums at the Decanter WWA 2025: organization, agronomy, and cellar work in harmony.
• Campo alle Mura: Why make wine in 2025? Answer: passion and roots. New releases and medals (Montecucco Rosato 2024, silver; Riserva Sangiovese 2022, gold).
• La Source (Aosta Valley): "Producing wine is a cultural gesture." Vision: craftsmanship, natural rhythms, quality as a bridge between memory and innovation.
• Francesco Penazzi (Alto Appennino Bolognese) Winery and native high-altitude grape variety: 8,000 bottles ready to double with new plantings.
• 2025 Harvest – Masi Agricola A “strong” vintage: complex climate but positive quality and a slightly later calendar than 2024.
• 2025 Harvest – Tenuta Stella (Collio) Early start for Chardonnay (classic method) and Ribolla; strong temperature variations favorable for whites.

Operational insights : promote storytelling about high-altitude and marginal terroirs (distinctive value); capitalize on the autumn's medal-winning export and on-trade momentum; prepare launch windows for the first 2025 sparkling wine bases.

Italian wine & Italian oenology

• Francesco Moser: "We're drinking less; quality and sparkling wines are key to staying strong." Direction: premiumization and the classic method as a shield against declining volumes.
• Three questions for Marco Sandre . Focus: local tradition, zero defects, identity as a coherent narrative.
• Friulian bubbles shine at “Filari di Bolle” Golds a Feudi di Romans Rosé Brut, Prosecco DOC Brut (Cormòns), Ribolla Gialla Brut 2022 (Trebes).
• Valpolicella/Prosecco: Pesticide Controversy. Institutional reactions to Franco Berrino's statements: phytosanitary issues at the center of the communication.
• "The bitter record harvest" Production exceeds 45 million hl: risk of inventory pressure without strong exports; management measures are being called for.
• Value of non-buildable land Market indications (wide range €/m2) and key variables: size, accessibility, services, vocation.

Operational insights : strengthen "clean & correct" positioning (treatment traceability, certifications); work on the quality-margin vs. volume mix; use competition results as a lever for local and national trade marketing.

International

• France: App for monitoring tree diseases. New tool (2024 data) for 549 plots in Champagne, Bordeaux, Loire, Alsace, etc.; supports management strategies (esca, eutypyosis).
• Antoine Grethen’s “Zephyr” Coteaux Champenois is convincing : warmer climate favors a new generation of still whites.
• World markets – Nomisma Wine Monitor (H1 2025) Moderate overall growth (1.5% value; 2.1% volume), very heterogeneous dynamics by country.
• New York: James Suckling Great Wines Italy (September 3–4) Over 160 Italian wineries, ~300 labels (90 points): a great US showcase for typicality and diversity.

Operational suggestions : integrate data-driven phytosanitary monitoring tools into the 2026 plan; scout exports to the United States with region-variety storytelling; evaluate "cool climate style" white lines where consistent.

Wine events

• Grape Harvest Festival – Salvan, Vigne del Pigozzo (Sunday 7/9) Open Cellars during the Grape Harvest: harvesting, pressing, family-friendly activities.
• Morbegno in Cantina 2025 (September 27–28, three weekends) 4 tours, 25 tastings, 20 wineries, 36 labels; plus music and experiences.
• Franciacorta in Cantina Festival (19–21/9) 35th anniversary edition of the Consortium: guided tastings, tours, collaborations with chefs/artisans/artists.
• Food and Wine September: 12 “unmissable” events Focus on the grape harvest and Speckfest (27–28/9, Plan de Corones) including pairings and South Tyrolean specialties.
• Lignano – “Meetings with the Author and Wine” (Thu. 4/9) Presentation of Angelo Floramo's book at the PalaPineta.
• Italian Bike Festival (Misano, 5–7/9) “Amaro del Ciclista” will be present with talks and tastings (bike–beverage contamination).

Operational tips : plan lightweight but high-yield campaigns (masterclasses, quick verticals, regional pairings); use RSVPs and local micro-influencers for drive-to-venue; collect qualified leads (QR with incentives).

Supply chain/technical notes (borderline but useful)

• Olive fruit fly: how many traps are needed for effective monitoring? A review of traps and attractants (color, pheromones, ammonium, protein baits). Useful for mixed grapevine and olive farms and for integrated monitoring approaches.

In one line, the trajectory of the day

Less consumption, higher quality; a generous harvest, but one that requires careful management; exports and a "clean" reputation make the difference; phytosanitary innovation and new styles (even in Champagne) point the way.

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