Welcome to Wine Idea's wine news for December 18, 2024!

1. Winged Lion of Generali: first food company to obtain SBTi approval for emissions

Leone Alato by Generali, a well-known brand in the wine scene, is the first company in the food sector to obtain SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) approval for emissions. An acknowledgement that demonstrates the commitment to sustainability, the reduction of the carbon footprint and the protection of the environment. A virtuous example in a context of growing attention to climate impacts also in the wine sector.

2. The new Highway Code puts Barolo restaurants in difficulty

With the introduction of stricter rules on drunk driving, restaurateurs in Barolo fear a drop in consumption. Classic tastings with five glasses risk discouraging customers, not all of whom are willing to pay for a private transport service or reduce the pleasure of a good glass, with possible effects on turnover in one of the symbolic territories of Italian wine tourism.

3. Agricultural land: new assessments for a strategic investment

Agricultural land remains an attractive investment, but its value varies depending on its intended use and the productivity of the land. New valuation criteria come into force today, which could radically change the value of such properties. Interested investors should carefully analyze each plot and its agricultural vocation, especially in light of ecological transition and emerging markets.

4. A Romagna wine under 20 euros to try

If you are looking for a surprising wine with a good quality-price ratio, Gambero Rosso recommends a Romagna grape interpreted by the Assirelli family. With vineyards managed from 1970 to 2022, the company focuses on sustainable methods and traditional varieties such as Albana. A study with the University of Bologna and the planting of 25 clones of the same grape demonstrate the desire to thoroughly understand the territory and offer a distinctive and affordable wine.

5. Sustainable agriculture: 132 million from the EU for the organic supply chain

The European Commission is investing €132 million in 2025 to promote more sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on organic supply chains and projects aimed at increasing the export of green products. The initiative comes amid protests and debates, with European farmers divided over the approval of laws to restore nature and the need to find a balance between environmental and economic sustainability.

6. Sparkling and fizzy wines are the stars of the holidays

As Christmas approaches, the desire to uncork a bottle of bubbles returns. Italian sparkling wines, according to the director of Cucina&Vini Francesco D'Agostino, have reached excellent quality levels thanks to increasingly rigorous control in the vineyard and cellar. They last for years in the bottle without losing freshness, becoming perfect companions for end-of-year toasts.

7. A Calabrese Wine on the New York Times List

Eric Asimov, a New York Times writer, has included a Calabrian label among the most memorable wines of 2024: the Giramondo dell'Acino. A “young and accessible” wine that strikes with its charm. In a list of 12 labels that rewards not the big names, but those bottles that give lasting emotions, Italy is also represented by Tuscany with a Chianti Classico Riserva and a Vin Santo.

8. Prosecco: Here's What It Really Is

Prosecco is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are Prosecco. To clarify, Foss Marai, a historic winery in Conegliano Valdobbiadene, explains the peculiarities of Prosecco Superiore Docg. The Glera grape variety, the hilly territory and the production method are the key to its success, clearly distinguishing it from other sparkling wines.

9. Mezzacorona, turnover down 2.5%

The Mezzacorona group closes the 2023-24 financial year with a consolidated turnover of 212.3 million euros, slightly down compared to the previous year. Profits are down 51%, from 1.4 million to 689 thousand euros. Despite the critical issues, the Trentino cooperative, known for brands such as Rotari and Feudo Arancio, maintains the stability of the production model and looks to the future with consolidation strategies.

10. Australia cuts production to rebalance inventories

In Australia, the world's sixth largest wine producer, production is decreasing to adapt to demand and reduce stocks. The crisis triggered by Chinese tariffs and the global drop in consumption have pushed producers to look for solutions. The Wine Australia report indicates that for the second consecutive year sales exceed production, reversing the trend to balance the market and give greater value to white wines over reds.

11. Fine wines: recovery will take until 2027

According to “Wine Lister Leagues” 2024, a survey of the big players in the investment wine market, the recovery of the fine wines segment will be delayed at least until 2027. The Italian Piedmont and Sicily are gaining consensus as growth regions, while the market is dominated by uncertainties linked to the crisis in consumption, inflation and the changing geography of demand.

12. Mariana Popa: from Romania to the queen of wine in Sorso and Sennori

Mariana Popa, 43, originally from Transylvania, is the face of Cantina Sorso – Sennori, a Sardinian company that she revived. Her determination relaunched the cooperative, which today is capable of producing thousands of quintals of wine and 30 labels, including Moscato, Vermentino, Cagnulari and Cannonau. A success that tells of integration and passion for the land.

13. Cantina Bolzano launches the new Tal Superior 2020

Cantina Bolzano presents in Rome the new 2020 vintage of Tal Superior wines, the result of experiments and agronomic and cellar choices aimed at excellence. Stephan Filippi, oenologist, and Daniele Galler, sales director Italy, underline the constant research to enhance the best grapes and create wines capable of telling the story of the Alto Adige territory.

14. Winemakers and solidarity: “A cellar for Tanzania”

Assoenologi also brings the project “A winery for Tanzania” to Sardinia: a charity auction will raise funds to start a wine business in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania. The goal is to create self-production to reduce import costs and provide job opportunities for local youth, demonstrating how wine can become a tool for development and international solidarity.

15. Cantine di Verona: the average price of the delivery confirmed

Despite a slightly declining turnover, Cantine di Verona closes the 2023-24 financial year exceeding the average delivery price compared to the previous year. The cooperative group, born from the union of Cantina Valpantena, Cantina di Custoza and Cantina Colli Morenici, aims for innovation and quality to face a shrinking market but attentive to the value of the product.

16. A day in the cellar in Quistello among wines, flavours and traditions

In the Mantua area, a wine tourism experience in the name of slowness and authenticity. The Quistello company offers guided tours, tastings and culinary pairings, enhancing local wine production and local cuisine. An experiential tourism model that highlights authenticity and a direct relationship with the producer.

17. Flocco reconfirmed as president of the Cantina Sociale San Zenone

Adamantonio Flocco is reconfirmed as president of the Cantina sociale San Zenone (Molise). The unanimous decision of the assembly rewards the entrepreneurial strategy based on investments and shared objectives. An example of how cooperatives can be protagonists of an economic revival for rural territories.

18th Palio del Groppello: victory for Cantina Franzosi of Puegnago

The Palio del Groppello, one of the oldest wine events, now in its 55th edition, has awarded the Cantina Franzosi. The brothers of Groppello had to resort to a second vote, given the tie in the first. A symbolic event that tells the vitality and complexity of a territory, Valtènesi, increasingly a protagonist on the Italian wine scene.

19. A Calabrian wine conquers the New York Times: the Giramondo by L'Acino

Eric Asimov has already mentioned it, but it is worth repeating: among the most memorable wines of 2024, a Calabrian, the Giramondo by L'Acino, has made its way into the heart of the New York Times critic. A recognition that underlines the growing international attention towards the lesser-known regions of Italian wine, capable of surprising with young and accessible products, but full of charm.

20. Highway Code, new limitations scare the Langhe

As already highlighted, the new anti-alcohol driving regulations raise concerns about the future of consumption in wine tourism districts, such as the Langhe. The crackdown could discourage tasting, slowing down tourist flows and penalizing the local wine-related economy. A problem that will require new formulas, such as dedicated shuttle services or reduced tastings.

21. France: Wine Profitability Collapses in 2023

France, the home of wine, is experiencing a difficult 2023, with increasing harvests but falling prices across all categories. For PDO, PGI and generic wines, drops of between -8.6% and -17.4% are recorded. Producers' profitability is affected (-24.8% on 2022), evidence of a complicated picture that requires structural solutions for a sector in difficulty, between global crises and climate issues.

22. Italian sparkling wine production on the rise, red wine on the decline

The picture now seems clear: in Italy, sparkling wines are growing, while red wines are slowing down. Consumption and exports are consolidating thanks to bubbles, while reds, once protagonists, are struggling to capture the attention of the younger generation. An epochal change in demand that forces producers to diversify and focus on product communication to regain ground.

23. Fewer red wines and more sparkling wines in the shopping carts of Italians

After the first nine months of 2024, it emerges that food spending is at a standstill (0.5%) and consumers favor fresh and light wines. Sparkling and sparkling wines hold the stage, while still wines, especially reds, are declining. A trend that is reflected in the shopping cart, increasingly oriented towards easy-drinking products and immediate gratification.

24. Aromatic molecules in sparkling wines

Wine science doesn't stop there. An Italian study has identified 11 probable “kokumi” compounds in sparkling wine, responsible for sensations of richness and body. A complex topic that helps understand how, at a molecular level, wine can offer such a rich and layered tasting experience.

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