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Issue 805 - September 28th - October 2nd 2026 - Expressly created for 3671 wine lovers,
professionals and opinion leaders from all over the world | |
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| | | “Festa del Barolo” in New York, organized by Antonio Galloni (“Vinous”) is one of the most exclusive events dedicated to American lovers of Nebbiolo at its finest, the entry into the main lineup, which, alongside the great classics, will enliven the 2027 edition of the event (January 27-30, which is a sort of “debutante ball”. This will be the case for Prunotto by Marchesi Antinori (the Vigna Colonnello vineyard, one of the most prestigious in the estate, is pictured), Elio Sandri and Giovanni Manzone. Brovia, G.B. Burlotto, Giacomo Conterno, Poderi Einaudi, Elio Grasso, Massolino, E. Pira - Chiara Boschis, Francesco Rinaldi, Roagna, Sandrone, Trediberri, and Vietti will star together. | |
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| | Champagne, after a few years in which even the “king” of world sparkling wines (at least in terms of value, with the region wine industry “generating” 5.7 billion euros in revenue) faced challenges, is showing positive signs once again. In the first half of 2026, according to Comité Champagne data, shipments from Champagne houses grew again by 1.2% to 107.1 million bottles. A significant share of these bottles was destined for Italy, which has consistently ranked among Champagne leading markets for years (in 2025, Italy was the No. 6 largest market by volume, with 7.8 million bottles imported, and No. 5 by value, at 210 million euros, according to Comité Champagne data). The bond between Champagne and Italy is both strong and historic. While many of the pioneers of Italian sparkling wine production, from Franco Ziliani in Franciacorta to Carlo Gancia in Canelli in the 19th century, and Giulio Ferrari in Trentodoc, looked to Champagne for inspiration and study before embarking on their own successful journeys, today many Italian wineries also distribute Champagne, including Ceretto, Gaja, Terlano, Allegrini, Marchesi di Barolo, Antinori, Masciarelli, Marilisa Allegrini, Famiglia Cecchi, Banfi, and Rocca delle Macìe. Alongside them, there are Italian wine distributors, such as the 21 members of Excellence Sidi, ranging from Compagnia del Vino and Cuzziol Grandivini to Gruppo Meregalli, Pellegrini, Sagna, Visconti 43, Sarzi Amadè, and Terroir Ceretto, just to name a few, which has recently named Guido Folonari (formerly a top executive at Philarmonica) to its leadership, and which will stage the edition No. 9 of the “Champagne Experience” at BolognaFiere on October 4 and 5. This edition comes in a particular moment for the Champagne region, which experienced its earliest harvest ever due to extreme heat. Nevertheless, the quality vintage is high, despite very low yields, partly due to the result of decisions made by the industry itself to rebalance supply and demand. Key highlights included a focus on Champagne status as a “gastronomic” wine, celebrated through “Champagne Experience” masterclasses which paired the wine with Parmigiano Reggiano aged for varying lengths of time, as well as the selection of Vicook (part of the Cerea family Da Vittorio Group) to handle the catering. | |
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| | An irresistible blend of international glamour and spontaneity, designer clothes and childhood friends, trays of pork ribs, lavish setups, happy hours in the winery, gala dinners among the vineyards, and choral performances, with Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino serving as the common thread throughout three days of events, all set against the backdrop of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, an ancient hamlet transformed into a “five-star” resort and one of the most exclusive locations on the planet: the wedding of singer Damiano David and actress-singer Dove Cameron, who recently exchanged vows in Montalcino, showcased the made in Italy excellence the world envies, bringing together fashion, hospitality, art, landscapes, food, and wine, once again under the international media spotlight. | |
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| | | By combining the charm of one of Italy and world greatest wines, such as Barolo with tangible charitable support for local communities and beyond, “Barolo en Primeur”, the social responsibility project by the Crc Foundation and Crc Donare Ets Foundation with Consorzio del Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, has established itself as one of the wine world most important charity events in a few years. Over five editions, it has raised more than 4.5 million euros in support of nearly 100 social and cultural projects in Italy and worldwide. Following the record-breaking 1,130,300 euros raised in 2025, the 2026 edition will take place on October 23rd at Grinzane Cavour Castle, connected live with London and New York. Under the gavel of Cristiano De Lorenzo, managing director of Christie’s Italy, there will be the 14 oak barrels of Barolo Gustava 2025, coming from the historic vineyard at the foot of the castle and vinified by renowned winemaker Donato Lanati. The oak barrel No. 15 will be auctioned off on November 8th during the World Alba White Truffle Auction, broadcast live from Grinzane to Hong Kong. And for the first time, the “Barolo en Primeur” catalog will also feature historic bottles, part of the 7 municipal lots of Barolo and Barbaresco resulting from donations by 39 Consortium wineries (full list more in depth). | |
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| | | The protection of nature and local landscapes is increasingly more being driven by the direct commitment of businesses, which are being called upon to turn sustainability from an abstract concept into concrete action. The historic Franciacorta winery, after the international certification “Biodiversity Friend”, Barone Pizzini, headed by ceo Silvano Brescianini is also a “Guardian of Biodiversity” for Legambiente starting from today, another step in a sustainability journey pursued by the brand for over 30 years, together with the Studio Agronomico Sata.
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| | An enormous interactive database of global wine terroirs, mapping 4,303,693 vineyards and 104,330 wineries across 90 countries worldwide (with Italy, featuring nearly 31,000 entries, being the most “mentioned”, ed), providing a true international wine map just a click away. It is called WorldWineryMap.com, a project officially launched online where visitors, whether wine industry professionals or enthusiasts, can access a wealth of information about wine-producing realities. For each individual vineyard displayed on the map, users can access highly specific geospatial data, including altitude, solar radiation, and slope, alongside key viticultural parameters such as soil composition and average temperatures. | |
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| | Tuscany is the only Italian region featured in the U.S. magazine “Wine Enthusiast” selection of the world best wine territories for cycling tourism: 9 destinations, from Provence (France) to Stellenbosch (South Africa), from the Douro Valley (Portugal) to the Sonoma Valley (California, the USA), as well as the Loire Valley (France), the Barossa Valley (Australia), Girona (Spain), and the Willamette Valley (Oregon, the USA). There are increasingly more travelers from all over the world who are combining cycling with a passion for wine. | |
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