Wine news for Thursday 20 June 2024!

"We have exaggerated with storytelling about wine" - Lorenzo Cesconi, president of Fivi During a dinner at the restaurant, the maître arrives with a substantial wine list and the fateful question: who chooses the wine? Usually, an expert on duty decides for everyone, but Lorenzo Cesconi reflects on how excessive storytelling about wine could be perceived as exaggerated compared to the simplicity of the past.

Sassicaia 2021: No 100/100 this time Jamie Goode, not a professional wine critic, reflects on "wines beyond criticism", wines so famous as to be untouchable. His analysis, reported by Massimiliano Ferrari in Intrawine #27, includes Sassicaia 2021, which did not obtain the perfect score.

Tedeschi's study in Valpolicella on olfactory markers The Tedeschi family presented a study that identifies four olfactory dimensions of Valpolicella wines: fruity, balsamic, spicy/peppery and sweet spicy. The study, presented in San Pietro in Cariano, scientifically clarified the territoriality of the wines.

New rules for Barolo and Barbaresco The Consortium for the protection of Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani has approved changes to the production rules for these wines, including restrictions on the place of bottling and the possibility of selling Barbaresco in containers larger than 6 litres.

Signs of recovery in 2024 for Italian wine Valoritalia's "Annual Report 2024" signals a slight recovery in 2024 after a complex 2023. The report certifies 56% of Italian PDO and PGI wine, with over 2.3 billion bottles and an economic value of more than 9.2 billion euros.

North-East and IGP drive the growth of Italian wine Italian wine companies recorded a growth of 0.54% in the volume bottled in 2023, which rises to 2.8% compared to the average of the previous three years, despite a reduction of economic value.

Cremisan Winery in war-stricken Bethlehem Fadi Batarseh, winemaker at the Cremisan winery, talks about the difficulties of managing a winery in a conflict zone. The winery has lost tourists, but has found a positive signal with the representation of the English company H&K Wine Agencies.

Valoritalia certifies over 2 billion bottles The sixth Valoritalia report reports that in 2023 Italian wine companies achieved growth in bottled volumes of 0.54%, with a certification of 56% of the national production of quality wines.

How and why to invest in a wine The fine wines market is increasingly aware. During a debate at the Gastronomika Festival, the value of fine wines was discussed not only as a status symbol, but also as a conscious investment.

Criticism of the deferred restructuring of France by UIV The national council of the Italian Wine Union (UIV) criticizes the financing of the abandonment of vineyards through the funds of the National Support Program (PNS), believing that other measures are necessary to rebalance the market without affecting the historic vineyards.

The climate damages agriculture: wine is the most affected According to the latest Istat report, wine production in 2023 fell by 17.4% due to extreme climatic events. Other agricultural sectors have also suffered, with a general reduction in production and value added in the sector.

UIV denounces a plan to eradicate vineyards Lamberto Frescobaldi of UIV denounces a European plan to finance the abandonment of vineyards under the pretext of deferred restructuring. This could lead to the definitive abandonment of the vineyards, with a negative impact on the Italian wine sector.

Bringing wine closer to people: a possible mission The Union des Sommeliers of Paris, founded in 1907 and becoming the Union de la Sommellerie Française in 1970, together with the Italian Sommelier Association and the Court of Master Sommeliers in England, has contributed to the diffusion of the culture some wine. These associations have codified a functional language to translate the taste-olfactory sensations during tasting into words. However, as Gabriele Rosso observes in the article “The taste of water” on L'Integrale, some formalisms remain in the service and language.

Monselice: a historic cellar for an ancient wine The Bertazzo company has launched two new wines: a red reserve and a classic method sparkling wine, continuing the winemaking tradition of the area.

Art in the cellar with Tenuta Benotto delle Tezze In Tezze di Piave, Tenuta Benotto delle Tezze combines contemporary art and wine with the Officina Malanotte project. From 2022, this project combines wine culture with art, in the historic setting of Borgo Malanotte, giving life to the Malanotte del Piave DOCG, one of the most iconic red wines of the Veneto.

Current affairs: "Everybody down in the cellar" in Velletri From 28 to 30 June, Velletri will host the 9th edition of the "Tutti down in the cellar - Wine culture festival". The event, organized by the "Idee in fermento" Association and "CREA Viticoltura Enologia", will offer tastings of excellent wines, meetings with authors, live music and talk shows, in the evocative setting of the structure in via Cantina Sperimentale.

Discovering the Mincana Winery Located in the municipality of Due Carrare, the Mincana Winery offers a historical-cultural tour of the Venetian Villa "La Mincana - Villa Dolfin - Dal Martello", with a visit to the vineyards and the cellar. The route ends with a tasting of DOC wines from the Euganean Hills, accompanied by local products.

Vallepicciola between vineyards, cellar and art In the heart of Chianti Classico, in Pievasciata, Vallepicciola offers unique experiences such as the Collectors Experience and the Wine Safari. These activities allow you to explore the vineyards on board a jeep and delve deeper into the values of the winery, famous for the quality of its wines.

Brindisi: double silver for Cantine Risveglio The Cantine Risveglio of Brindisi obtained two silver medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2024. The prizes were awarded to the Eneo 2021 and Pecora Nera 2022 wines, selected from over 7500 wines tasted blind by jurors international.

Exclusive tasting weekend in Valpolicella The Vogadori winery organizes an event to discover the wine excellences of Valpolicella. The event includes a guided tour of the vineyards, a tasting of fine wines and a visit to the cellar. Wines such as Garganega, 100% Corvina, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 3 Fradei and Rita will be tasted.

Two more awards for the Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia The Cantina di Ruvo di Puglia obtained two gold medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles for the CRIFO Nero di Troia Puglia PGI and NERODIVO Nero di Troia – Primitivo Puglia PGI wines. These awards highlight the growing quality of Apulian wines.

Spritz 1814 Casoni: the protagonist of the Italian summer Aperitif and Spritz are the winning couple for the summer. Spritz 1814, with its refreshing and pleasant taste, is perfect for a happy hour at sunset. Ideal to accompany moments of joy, it is the must-have of the Italian summer.

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

See you tomorrow.