Wine Idea's wine news for December 27, 2024!

1) The couple who transformed a ruin into one of the most interesting cellars in Sannio

• The context Fulvio Cautiero and Imma Cropano, with determination and entrepreneurial spirit, in 2001 took over a piece of land and a ruin on the slopes of Mount Taburno, in Frasso Telesino (Bn). The place was completely abandoned (stones, rocks, weeds, some crumbling walls).
• The result Today is the Cautiero Agricultural Company, one of the most promising businesses in the Sannio Campania region, with vineyards and a cellar where wines are produced that are characterized by attention to quality and terroir.
• The story Imma says that, seeing the initial conditions, the definition of "crazy" for her husband was almost inevitable. But Fulvio's vision has materialized over the years, giving a new soul to the area.

2) The wine sector fills up with EU funds with 323 million

• The news The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty (Masaf) has signed the decree for the distribution of 323 million euros under the CMO Wine for the 2025/2026 campaign.
• Objective To ensure that all Community resources available to the wine sector are fully used: any residual funds will be reallocated to the Regions most efficient in carrying out the projects.
• Measures concerned Promotion abroad, investments in cellars, restructuring and reconversion of vineyards, distillation of by-products and green harvesting.

3) The cold has arrived, walks to do in Franciacorta and the surrounding area

• Winter tourism In Franciacorta, not far from Lake Iseo, the colder temperatures and the fog-shrouded landscapes offer evocative atmospheres.
• Recommended itineraries
  • Val Palot: an ideal destination for beginners on skis, but with paths that can be covered on foot.
  • Hills between the rows and vineyards of Franciacorta, in places such as Rodengo Saiano, Monticelli Brusati, Ome, Gussago.
• Conclusion Walks suitable for everyone, with stops in the cellars to taste the famous Franciacorta sparkling wines.

4) Agriculture Bonus 2025: how to get 794 euros for each hectare of land

• CAP News As part of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, specific aid is envisaged for those who grow olive trees and for other sectors.
• Contribution In some cases, you can receive up to 794 euros per hectare, provided that the required practices are respected (agri-environment, biodiversity, reduction of herbicides, etc.).
• Objective To avoid land abandonment, support farmers' income and promote environmental sustainability.

5) The Master and the Ambassador: How Riccardo Cotarella Inspired Erjola Braha's New Cellar

• Riccardo Cotarella Considered one of the world’s greatest oenologists, nicknamed “Master of the Vine”. In addition to being the president of Assoenologi, he is co-founder (with Renzo Cotarella) of Famiglia Cotarella (formerly Falesco).
• Erjola Braha The new entrepreneur who has decided to embark on a journey into the world of wine, inspired by the meeting with Cotarella.
• Synergy The collaboration demonstrates Cotarella's commitment to training and supporting emerging figures in the winemaking industry, promoting projects in Italy and abroad.

6) “Child-friendly” companies. Settesoli: the cellar of solidarity

• Solidarietà Cantine Settesoli, a historic cooperative in Menfi (Agrigento), is alongside Ai.Bi. – Amici dei Bambini. Specifically, it has donated a selection of Mandrarossa wines for the Temporary Shop charity, intended for projects in favor of minors in difficulty.
• Commitment The company is known for its initiatives with social purposes. The magnum bottles, in particular, will be used to raise funds with which Amici dei Bambini will carry out interventions for abandoned children.

7) The ancient village of Franciacorta. A cellar under the hill

• The story “Villa Franciacorta” is a winemaking reality in Monticelli Brusati (Bs). It dates back to the 60s, when Alessandro Bianchi, at 26 years old, bought a sixteenth-century village in ruins.
• Today the company is managed by Alessandro's sons and is considered one of the references for Franciacorta sparkling wines, thanks to a vineyard located in a natural crater at the foot of Colle della Madonna.
• Project An example of historical and architectural recovery combined with the desire to produce quality sparkling wines, consistent with the principles of the territory.

8) The best Italian white and red wines to start 2025 off right

• How to choose From AIS and various guides some advice emerges:
  1. Read the label (name, vintage, grape variety).
  2. Trust well-known or reliable wineries.
  3. Also experiment with new typologies or small producers.
• Trends Consumption of ready-to-drink white wines and fresher (less alcoholic) red wines is growing, which are of interest to young consumers.

9) The Adler Group invests in agriculture: 13 million between Sicily and Tuscany

• Automotive Sector Meets Wine Paolo Scudieri's Adler group, mainly engaged in automotive components, invests in food & wine:
  • In Sicily: strengthening the Abraxas winery in Pantelleria, purchased by former minister Calogero Mannino.
  • In Tuscany: enhancing the village of Tenuta la Fratta (Sinalunga, Valdichiana), already owned by the family.
• Objective Integrate agricultural production and tourism/hospitality activities, focusing on excellent local products and synergies between the two regions.

10) The 14th edition of “Feste in Cantina” in Sedini

• Date and place Saturday 28 December in the historic centre of Sedini (province of Sassari).
• Plan
  • Stand opens at 6pm, guided tours of exhibitions and museums.
  • From 8pm, tours of the historic cellars of the village, with tastings of local wines and typical specialties.
• Cultural value An event that combines food and wine and tradition, promoting a deep-rooted territorial identity.

11) The essential simplicity in Monchiero wines

• Company in Barolo The Monchiero winery is located in Castiglione Falletto, in the heart of the Langhe, with vineyards distributed between Castiglione and La Morra (9 hectares), as well as in Treiso and Alba.
• Approach Four vineyard sites of the highest vocation, each with its own character, worked with simplicity, attention to detail and valorization of Nebbiolo in different declinations of Barolo and Nebbiolo d'Alba.
• Wines Depth and clarity, with a quality-price ratio often recognized as among the most honest in the denomination.

12) Dealcoholized wine, Lollobrigida gives the green light to the wine that cheats the new Highway Code

• Summary The decree of the Ministry of Agriculture now allows the production, in Italy, of wines with an alcohol content lower than 8.5% vol. and even zero. The ban for PDO and PGI remains in force.
• Curiosity The opportunity to drink a glass of “zero alcohol” could be of interest to those who want to avoid hefty fines, due to the more severe rules introduced by the new Highway Code.

13) What if we only drank red wines on New Year's Eve?

• Provocation A column of enthusiasts suggests how to enhance red even for the end-of-year holidays, in place of bubbles and whites, especially for those who like tannins and structure.
• Pairings Surprise your guests with a fresh, light red for a seafood appetizer (for example, a Bardolino Chiaretto vinified as a light red) or with a young Sangiovese for a seafood risotto. A fuller-bodied red for a meat main course or for mature cheeses, and a red passito or a red wine with a slight sugar residue, even for dessert.

14) You've Always Been Drinking Wine Wrong: Here's How to Do It Correctly, According to the Pros

• Basic Tips
  • Glass : Each type of wine has an ideal glass. Red prefers a wide glass, white a narrower glass to convey the aromas to the nose.
  • Temperature : check the right freshness. Despite commonplaces, there are reds that should be served cooler and whites that benefit from a few more degrees.
  • Tasting : observe the color, swirl gently to release the aromas, smell and then taste in small sips to understand acidity, tannins and structure.

15) Sicilian wines, the richness of an island

• Wine Paradise From Eastern Sicily (Baroque area: Ragusa, Noto and Syracuse) to the western areas of Marsala and Mazara del Vallo, the island offers a variety of grape varieties and styles, including Nero d'Avola, Grillo, Zibibbo, up to the wines of Etna and Passito di Pantelleria.
• Stories and Legacies
  • Marsala, the salt pans and the English tradition by John Woodhouse.
  • Etna, with unique microzones due to altitude and volcanic soils.
• Conclusion A multifaceted island, guardian of an oenological heritage with a strong personality.

16) “Small Wine Festival” in Manduria, Thursday 26 December

• In the heart of Salento, Manduria (Taranto) hosts a food and wine event centered on local wines, in particular Primitivo di Manduria. From 7:00 p.m., at Concept Wine Moderno, in Piazza Commestibili.
• World music entertainment by DJ Dabrators, zero-mile gastronomy and tasting glasses.

17) “Poesia Pane e Vino”: the thirty-eighth edition in Alezio

• Cultural event On December 29, in the small Salento town of Alezio (Lecce), the 38th edition of the poetry review “Poesia Pane e Vino” will be held. Theme: “Getting involved”, as a starting point for reflection and creativity.
• Involvement Poets in both language and vernacular are invited, free to express thoughts and emotions, in the perspective of a cenacle that unites culture, food and identity.

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