Wine press review of August 13, 2025

Wine press review of August 13, 2025

ITALIAN WINERIES

• Pietro 17, Staffolo (Marche) – Founded in 2020 by Alexander Rocca and Laura Giuliani, the organic winery exports to the US through an importer in Colorado and its own online shop. Current challenge: uncertainty over US tariffs.
• Terre d'Oltrepò (Lombardy) – The harvest season begins amid uncertainty over deliveries and an urgent request from Confagricoltura Pavia for a commissioner to save the winery.
• Borgo San Felice Resort (Tuscany) – An entire medieval village transformed into a wine resort spread across the Chianti Classico region, closely integrated into the local area and its wine tourism offerings.
• Kurtatasch Winery (Alto Adige) – Celebrating 125 years of winemaking history, looking to the future with new lightweight bottles and updated packaging.
• Talosa Winery (Tuscany) – Among the protagonists of “Sip of Italy” in New York on September 11, a Wine Enthusiast event dedicated to quality Italian wine.
• Cantina Gambino (Sicily) – Launches “Wines on Sunset” on Mount Etna, four August evenings featuring music, cinema, and panoramic tastings.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

• 2025 Harvest – Early due to the heat, with grapes in excellent health and high quality prospects from North to South. Very positive initial impressions in Trentino and Alto Adige.
• Inventories and Production – Italy will produce approximately 45 million hectoliters, surpassing France and Spain. As of July 31, 2025, Italian wineries hold 39.8 million hectoliters of wine.
• Awards and Recognitions – The Alto Adige Wine Consortium's "2025 Wine Culture Award" goes to the Löwengrube restaurant in Bolzano for its regional storytelling on its wine list and service.
• Wine Literature – The 2025 OIV Award honors the volumes “100 custodians for 100 vines” (Graspo) and “Wine in Alto Adige” by the Alto Adige Wine Consortium.
• Untold Guide 2026 – 71 award-winning Italian wineries, including Ciavolich, Diubaldo, Tenuta Antonini and Tenuta De Melis for Abruzzo.
• Industry Analysis – Editorial: "Italian wine needs a vacation" to rediscover its identity and vision after months of focusing solely on the crisis.

INTERNATIONAL

• US tariffs and imports – In the first half of 2025, the US increased wine imports from Spain, France and Italy (6.5% in value), but in June the average price dropped by 6.6%.
• Duties and biodiversity – The Consortium for the Protection of Colli Euganei Wines raises the alarm: vineyards in hilly and mountainous areas risk abandonment if grape prices plummet.
• Provence – Château Minuty – History and identity of the Rosés of Minuty, Cru Classé des Côtes de Provence since 1955, an emblem of conviviality and terroir.
• Grape Variety Trends – Chenin Blanc is also conquering Italy thanks to its versatility and recognizability.
• NYT – Best Wines Under 20 Euros – Critic Eric Asimov includes two Italian labels in his ideal summer selection for freshness and drinkability.

WINE EVENTS

• Val d'Ayas in a Glass (Valle d'Aosta) – On 16 August in Brusson, the first “Wine & Beer Marathon” and tastings of local wines and beers.
• Festambiente (Tuscany) – Legambiente awards two Elban wines at the 7th National Wine Show of Parks and Protected Areas.
• Insolito Marsala (Sicily) – From September 26th to 27th and from October 1st to 4th, the second edition of wine, hospitality, culture, and innovation.
• Open Cellars in the Langhe (Piedmont) – From August 15th to 17th, open doors for tastings and meetings with producers.