Wine Idea's wine news for January 2, 2025!

1. Sparkling wine production and exports down in the EU (-8%) Bad weather has penalized European vineyards in 2023, leading to an 8% reduction in sparkling wine production compared to the previous year. Italy remains the leader with 638 million liters produced, followed by France and Germany. Exports to non-EU countries have also suffered a similar decline.

2. Red Wine Stain Remedy: The Secret of Salt Red wine stains can be effectively fought with simple methods: apply coarse salt to the fresh stain and leave it to act for 30 minutes before rinsing with boiling water.

3. Report and Tuscan Wine: Controversy Over Undeclared Blends An investigation by Report accuses prestigious brands like Ornellaia and Tenuta San Guido of using cheap bulk wine for their blends, raising questions about transparency and legality in the Tuscan wine sector.

4. The future of wine is in bubbles Sparkling wines and Champagne represent a growing share of Italian wine production. With a billion bottles produced each year and 70% destined for export, bubbles are confirmed as the most dynamic segment of the sector.

5. From Raboso to Marco Polo’s beer: a Venetian tribute Marco Minto and Daniele Pulina celebrate the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death with a Raboso wine and a craft beer inspired by the travels of the great Venetian explorer.

6. Ligurian Vermentino under 20 euros: artisanal excellence Ligurian winemakers produce high-quality Vermentino despite the difficulties of the territory, characterized by steep slopes and small plots. The result is an artisanal wine that fascinates with its taste and authenticity.

7. Tuscan exports: bubbles and beer on the rise, red on the decline In 2023, Tuscany's foreign trade recorded a decline in exports of red wines, while interest in bubbles and beer grew. However, the increase in production costs had a negative impact on margins.

8. Sabati di Gusto in Custoza: a food and wine experience From January 4 to February 1, 2025, the Terre del Custoza will host a series of events that combine tastings of Custoza Doc with typical dishes such as broccoletto. A celebration of the local food and wine heritage.

9. Royal Warrant: wines supplied to the British Royal Household Wineries such as Bollinger, Moët & Chandon and Symington Family Estates are among the few awarded the “Royal Warrant”, which certifies their quality and makes them official suppliers to the British Royal Household.

10. Jazz and wine: concerts at Cantina Bentivoglio Jazz continues to enliven Cantina Bentivoglio with performances by artists such as Ada Flocco and Chiara Dal Molin. A perfect combination of music and wine tasting.

11. Venice International Wine Trophy 2025: Registration Open Wineries from all over the world can now enter their sparkling wines to the competition. The fourth edition will feature a new feature: the public will be able to vote for their favorite wines during the “Bollicine in Villa” event in March.

12. Fazzuoli: we need food education, even for wine Federico Fazzuoli, founder of Linea Verde, proposes a television program dedicated to food education, including wine as part of Italian food and wine culture and tradition.

13. Wine and good bacteria: an Italian study The soil microbiome plays a crucial role in wine quality. A recent study conducted in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano area confirms the influence of microbial terroir on the organoleptic characteristics of wines.

14. Vistorta: the Friulian Merlot and the exceptional white The Vistorta estate, with an agricultural tradition dating back to 1872, is famous for its quality Merlot and for a surprising white, which enhances the territory of western Friuli.

15. GMOs and wine: the debate reignites The Ministry of the Environment authorizes the testing of GMO Chardonnay vines in Trentino, sparking controversy. New Genomic Techniques (NGT) promise greater safety, but there is no shortage of criticism over transparency.

16. A glass of wine is not bad: confirmed by science An Italian study published in Nutrients reiterates that moderate consumption of wine, especially red, is associated with benefits for cardiovascular health, especially if included in a Mediterranean diet.

17. Yield management and support for difficult grape varieties Yuri Zambon of Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo underlines the importance of supporting the most challenging wine crops, carefully managing yields to ensure quality and sustainability.

18. The key words of wine 2025: dealcoholized, duties and sustainability Wine faces a new year with central themes such as international duties, the growth of dealcoholized wines and wine tourism. Sustainability will be the focus for producers and consumers.

19. Wine and Climate Change: The Future in 60 Years A study explores the impact of climate change on Italian wine regions, predicting significant changes in terroir and production within the next few decades.

20. Letter to Salvini: wine does not ruin dinners Lucio Pistillo, president of the Antica Cantina di San Severo, asks the Minister of Transport to reconsider the sanctions of the Highway Code, which are penalizing conviviality and the wine sector.

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