The wine news for Thursday 5 July 2024:

Good morning, wine lovers!

Events and Successes

Great success for the 9th edition of "Tutti Down in the Cellar"

Riccardo Velasco, CREA Director of Viticulture and Oenology, highlighted the success of the event which showed the innovations to address the critical issues of the wine sector, from downy mildew to drought. Velletri was the scene of a tour among resistant varieties and table grapes, in the experimental vineyards and in the historic cellar, demonstrating the value of the union between Castelli Romani and wine.

Problems and Threats

Xylella threatens European vineyards, including Italy

Pierce's disease, caused by Xylella fastidiosa, is putting European vineyards at risk. Originally from the Americas, where it devastated local vineyards, the disease is now taking hold in Italy, threatening Mediterranean crops.

Cellars and Territories

Alta Mora: discover the magic of Etna with Cusumano

The ten districts of the Alta Mora di Cusumano estate, on Etna, tell stories of generations of growers. The enormous volcano, with its fertile and changing land, creates a unique terroir that profoundly influences the wines produced.

Calls and Opportunities

Gal Alta Marca: new tenders for agritourisms and new extra-agricultural companies

The Alta Marca Trevigiana GAL has started information meetings on the PSL calls for programming 2023-2027, with a budget of 3,701,075 euros. The project aims to support community, landscape and food.

Crises and Appeals

Moncaro case: concerns for the Marche cooperative

The Marche Wine Protection Institute expresses concern about the uncertainty over the future of the Moncaro cooperative. President Donatella Manetti reassures about production, but the situation remains delicate.

Investigations and Security

Carabinieri investigations: 66% of irregular agricultural businesses

A blitz by the National Labor Inspectorate revealed that two thirds of the farms inspected were found to be irregular, with one worker in three not in compliance and 10% completely illegal.

Trends and Innovations

French winemakers in favor of clearing vineyards

A survey by France Agrimer reveals that many French winemakers are in favor of the permanent removal of vineyards. Starting from October 2024, around 60 thousand hectares could be eradicated.

Characters and Stories

Viticulture 5.0: from Milan to Monferrato with satellites and AI

Maura Satta Flores and Massimiliano Magrini, with their company in Grazzano, use apps and artificial intelligence to manage vineyards, representing the cutting edge of modern agriculture.

The largest urban vineyard in Europe in Brescia

Emanuele Rabotti, of the Monte Rossa winery, has revitalized the Pusterla vineyard, enhancing a rare variety of grape. This urban vineyard has a history dating back to 1037.

Disputes and Controversies

The Prosekar war: clash between Carso and Doc Prosecco

The Prosecco DOC wants the annexation of Prosekar, but the Karst producers resist, defending the identity and pride of their product.

Art and culture

Wine and art: cellars as new exhibition spaces

More and more wineries are relying on contemporary art to tell the cultural values of wine. Farina Wines, in Valpolicella Classica, hosts artistic exhibitions in the “Art Ferment” project.

Growth and Markets

The British wine race: over a thousand vineyards

The UK has seen record growth in sparkling wine production, with 8.8 million bottles sold in 2023. The UK's vineyards now number 1,030, cementing their position in the wine sector.

Future Events

Assoenologi Sicily: the 29th Enosimposium in Pollina

From 5 to 7 July 2024, Assoenologi Sicilia organizes the 29th Enosimposium with the theme "The oenologist between history and future". The Consortium for the Protection of DOC Sicilia Wines will be the protagonist with the conference on viticultural research and oenological innovation.

Events and Shows

Wine made in Sardinia on display at the Exma in Cagliari Wine-making Sardinia will be on display in Cagliari during the International Wine and Food Festival - IWFF on 5 and 6 July at the Exma. The event, organized by Aps Romo Eventi led by Mario Bonamici, will see the participation of 60 wineries and will offer over 200 wines. Activities include guided tastings, sensory journeys and masterclasses, with a focus on organic.

Innovation and Culture

An Onav podcast talks about the characteristics and types of wine The National Organization of Wine Tasters (Onav) has launched the podcast "Listen to wine", available on Spotify and other audio platforms. The project aims to disseminate basic knowledge about wine in a conversational and understandable way, from production to pairings.

Production and Sustainability

Rio Pusteria: organic wine with Piwi grapes in the northernmost winery in Italy Johannes Gasser, a young winemaker from Alto Adige, focuses on the quality of Piwi grapes, resistant to parasites, and on ancient apple varieties. The winery produces organic wines and cider, enhancing the territory and local traditions.

Opportunities and Development

The deadline for wine promotion projects on foreign markets has been extended to 15 July The Ministry of Agriculture has extended the deadline for submitting wine promotion projects on the markets of third countries to 15 July 2024, offering producers more time to participate .

Legislative Innovations

Agriculture amendment: Centinaio, wine traceable from vine to bottle Gian Marco Centinaio announces the approval in the Senate of an amendment that improves the digital traceability of Italian wines. The standard allows the data of the grapes in the cellar to be cross-referenced with those of the wine produced, improving transparency and quality.

Success Stories

Tenuta San Leonardo celebrates 300 years of history: «Growth of 18.4% in 2023» The historic Tenuta San Leonardo in Borghetto di Avio celebrates 300 years of activity. In 2023 it recorded growth of 18.4% compared to the previous year, thanks to the increase in the average price and higher production.

Health and wellness

Moderate consumption of wine helps reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Elisabetta Bernardi, biologist and nutritionist, reiterates the importance of moderate wine consumption within the Mediterranean Diet for protection against cardiovascular diseases.

Innovation in the Cellar

Cantina Produttori di Ramuscello: the first Italian wine aged on the ground . The Cantina Prottici di Ramuscello presented “Vinum Terre”, the first Italian wine aged on the ground. The bottles of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2022 were buried for a year, evolving at a constant temperature of 12°C.

Tradition and Innovation

Traces of Cantina Moser: when grapes meet tradition and innovation The Cantina Moser, founded in 1979 in Trentino Alto-Adige, combines tradition and innovation. Led by the second generation, Carlo and Matteo Moser, the company enhances the terroir by producing wines with a strong territorial character.

Awards and Recognitions

Siddura, the best Italian winery of the year Cantina Siddura in Luogosanto has obtained the title of best Italian winery of the year. Distinguished for the quality of its wines, it has achieved numerous successes in the Italian wine scene, including the prestigious recognition at Vinitaly.

Visits and tastings

Weekend of wine and fun discovering the Vogadori winery. The Vogadori winery in Negrar di Valpolicella offers guided tours on 6 and 7 July. Participants will be able to explore the vineyards, cellars and tasting rooms, discovering the winemaking process from vine to glass.

Legislation and Traceability

Agriculture Decree: more simplification thanks to the connection between the viticulture index and the winery register. Federvini positively welcomes the approval of the Agriculture Decree in the Senate, which connects the viticulture index to the registers of wine products, improving traceability and transparency.

Acquisitions and Market

The Cantina del Taburno is now owned by the Rillo Group. The Benevento Court has assigned ownership of the Cantina del Taburno to the Rillo Group, ending a long legal battle. The entrepreneur Enzo Rillo can now continue to invest in the historic reality of Sannio.

International news

Moët & Chandon: from Epernay to Paris all the news from the Maison Moët & Chandon presents the "Memories of Tomorrow" exhibition in the historic Epernay cellar. The exhibition, created in collaboration with the Atelier Baqué Molinié in Paris, will be open until autumn.

Harvest forecast

Harvest 2024: Bottega (Prosecco), 'if the climate holds up it will constitute exceptional quality' Sandro Bottega predicts a year of exceptional quality for Prosecco, if the climatic conditions of the coming months remain favourable. The harvest is scheduled for the third week of September.

Thanks for listening, we remind you that today's wine press review was offered by QUIDQUID.

See you tomorrow.