Wine Idea's wine news for January 7, 2025!

1. Growth of bubbles and opportunities for Friuli According to Mirko Bellini, wine manager, the Italian bubbles market continues to thrive, while still red wines are suffering, especially in international contexts such as France. In Friuli, Prosecco and Pinot Grigio remain pillars of the wine sector, despite the reduced purchasing power of consumers due to inflation.

2. Col Vetoraz: three Valdobbiadene DOCGs to tell the Christmas story The Col Vetoraz winery celebrates the holidays with three Valdobbiadene DOCGs: Brut Coste di Levante, Extra Dry Coste di Ponente and Millesimato Dry Coste di Mezzodì. These sparkling wines represent the richness of the hilly territory, where the quality of the grapes and the particular soil and climate create harmonious and refined wines.

3. Soave affected by flavescence dorée Flavescence dorée, a bacterial disease that compromises the productivity of vineyards, is putting the Soave vines at risk. The Veneto Region has initiated support interventions to stem the spread and safeguard the important local DOCs.

4. Land abandonment and biodiversity in danger Global warming and economic difficulties are pushing more and more farmers to abandon arable land. This phenomenon is altering ecosystems and reducing biodiversity, with significant repercussions throughout Europe.

5. Champagne: Eight Labels Not to Be Missed A selection of eight vintage Champagnes, made by historic maisons, celebrates the excellence of the French territory. The labels, chosen during tastings in Italy and France, demonstrate how the quality of vintages is gaining international attention.

6. Culinary Resolutions for 2025 Food experts are dreaming of new experiences in 2025, including Enrico Crippa’s Piazza Duomo in Alba and Fyn in Cape Town. Salvo Foti’s Etna Rosso is a symbol of resilience and authenticity, expressing the power of nature through taste.

7. Controversy over the “Rosso Jannik” of Manduria The 73 bottles of Primitivo “Rosso Jannik” donated by the Municipality of Manduria to the mayor of Sesto (Val Pusteria) have sparked political criticism. The production by the local councilor's company and the lack of mandatory labels for DOC and DOCG wines are being contested.

8. VIP Wineries: Passion and Innovation More and more celebrities are investing in the wine sector, combining personal visions with Italy’s wine heritage. From north to south, their companies represent a fascinating mix of territorial excellence and experimentation.

9. Rusel and the heart of Barbaresco The Rusel winery, little known but rich in history, stands out for its production of Barbaresco. The Rosselli family has transformed their passion for viticulture into a quality reality in the Mango area, famous for Moscato d'Asti.

10. At the Table with the Producer: Syrah from Cortona The food and wine cycle “At the Table with the Producer” resumes with an event dedicated to the wines of Cortona. Chiara Vinciarelli will present her latest vintages at the Osteria Pratellino in Florence, celebrating Syrah and other local excellences.

11. Corollary Wines: Innovation in Oregon Corollary Wines, in the Willamette Valley, takes a functional and sustainable architectural approach. Designed to meet practical and environmental needs, it represents a new trend in wine design.

12. “Tortèl & Gropèl” in Val di Non From January 10 to March 2, Val di Non hosts the “Tortèl & Gropèl” event, celebrating potato tortèl and Groppello wine. This gastronomic event combines tradition and innovation, highlighting a heroic wine that is experiencing a renaissance.

13. Impacts of the new Highway Code on wine The new Highway Code rules are reducing wine consumption in restaurants. The rigidity of the rules penalizes producers and restaurateurs, leading to a significant drop in sales during the holidays.

14. Lambrusco di Sorbara in the white sparkling version Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC introduces the white sparkling variant, an evolution of the specifications published in the Official Journal. This innovation responds to the growing demand for fresh and versatile sparkling wines.

15. Tuscany: a 2024 of successes for wine exports With 908 million euros in exports, Tuscan wine confirms its leadership in the sector. The region has benefited from a 30% increase in production compared to 2023, demonstrating the strength of its traditions and certified organic method.

16. Award-winning wines from North to South Italy confirms itself as a point of reference for global wine quality, with awards for its organic, orange and amphora-vinified wines. From Piedmont to Sicily, winemaking excellence continues to shine.

17. Assoenologi's “Portami a Casa” Project To counter the strict rules on drinking and driving, Assoenologi is launching the “Portami a Casa” project. The initiative aims to safeguard the pleasure of wine while ensuring road safety.

18. ViniVeri Assisi 2025: an appointment with nature The sixth edition of ViniVeri Assisi, an event dedicated to natural wines, will be held on January 13. Sixty producers will tell the peculiarities of their territories, offering a journey between authenticity and sustainability.

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