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Issue 804 - September 21st - 25th 2026 - Expressly created for 3669 wine lovers,
professionals and opinion leaders from all over the world | |
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| | | The effects of climate change aren’t limited to the environment, particularly agriculture and vineyards. They’re also evident around the table, where the types of wine people drink and the occasions on which wine is consumed are changing. Understanding whether the “climatarian table” is fantasy or reality, and, consequently, whether a new “concept of wine” is also gaining ground to accompany it, is one of the focal points of the “Trentodoc Festival”, currently in Trento, with “Trentodoc in Cantina”, a widespread event featuring 125 experiences in the very places where the quintessential mountain sparkling wines take shape, namely the sparkling wine houses of the Trentodoc Institute, which brings together 73 of them. | |
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| | The landscape, as a cultural identity to be nurtured and protected, is a vast and complex issue with significant implications for the future of wine-growing regions and beyond. It is a topic that involves cultural, regulatory, climatic, agronomic, economic, and anthropological aspects, presenting a constant challenge in striking a balance between conservation and progress; between preserving history and meeting the needs of contemporary life (and the economy) in these regions; between protecting the environment and architectural heritage, and supporting productive activities and more. This is a pressing and deeply felt issue even in the most important wine-producing areas, which, in some respects, are at the forefront of land management and of striking a balance among the many elements mentioned, such as Franciacorta. With the Consortium that protects the appellation of Lombardy’s great Metodo Classico sparkling wines, led by Emanuele Rabotti, who has made this theme the centerpiece of the “Franciacorta in Cantina Festival”, the quintessential “regional” event for Italian wine, which skillfully blends social gatherings, open cellars, wellness, and entertainment with in-depth sessions such as the one held at the ancient Franciscan convent in Rodengo Saiano, led by Father Luigi Cavagna, which houses the Accademia Symposium, a higher technological institute (ITS Academy) specializing in advanced vocational training in the agri-food, wine, marketing, and tourism sectors, directed by Luca Nobili. The event featured presentations (in more details) that spanned history, art, philosophy, legislation, agronomy, and more, from figures such as Armando Castagno, one of the most renowned writers, journalists, and wine critics, as well as an art historian and professor at the Accademia Treccani; Fiona Colucci, of the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the Provinces of Bergamo and Brescia; Marco Pilotti, president of the Torbiere del Sebino Nature Reserve and full professor of Hydraulic Engineering at the University of Brescia; and Pierluigi Donna, agronomist and co-founder of Studio Agronomico Sata, one of Italy’s leading agronomic firms. | |
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| | No longer a “supporting role”, but at the very least a “co-star”: that is the position BolognaFiere has carved out for itself in the wine sector in particular. This journey (in more details), which has culminated to date in the acquisition of a 49.9% stake in Gambero Rosso Holding (a newco in which Class Editori still holds a 50.1% stake, as previously reported by WineNews, in a deal that many believe will lead to the acquisition of a majority stake in Gambero Rosso in the near future, ed.), first involved a partnership with Slow Wine for the Slow Wine Fair (and later with Slow Food for Sana Food), then with Fivi for the Mercato dei Vignaioli Indipendenti, and subsequently with Excellence Sidi for the Champagne Experience. And it has expanded beyond national borders with the acquisition of United Experience. | |
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| | | The improvement in the quality of Made in Italy hospitality is also due to the wineries that, in recent years, have strongly focused on wine tourism to diversify their business through substantial investments in high-end lodging facilities and restaurants. This is confirmed by the new “Michelin Keys” selection unveiled by the Michelin Guide, with Italy reigning as the European “queen” with 224 award-winning hotels out of 2,832 properties worldwide (with the U.S. in first place and France trailing Italy), 18 of which are wine-related: the two “Three Michelin Keys” wine relais, Castiglion del Bosco in Montalcino and Borgo Santo Pietro in Chiusdino; four “Two Keys” properties, ranging from the Borgo San Felice Resort (Allianz Group) in Chianti Classico to Castelfalfi in Montaione, from Il Borro-Ferragamo in Valdarno to the Adler Spa Resort in Sicily; and 12 with “One Key,” ranging from the Adler Lodge Ritten in Soprabolzano to Castello Banfi Il Borgo and Villa Le Prata in Montalcino, from L’Andana (Terra Moretti Group), Castello di Vicarello and Conti di San Bonifacio in Maremma to Villa Petriolo in Cerreto Guidi, from Relais Roncolo 1888 (Venturini Baldini) in Quattro Castella to La Foresteria di Planeta, Feudi del Pisciotto (Domini Castellare), Monaci delle Terre Nere, and Baglio Oneto dei Principi di San Lorenzo in Sicily. | |
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| | | Those who work “under the open sky”, as vertically integrated wineries do, overseeing every stage from vineyard to bottle, as well as those who work with animals, can achieve a great deal through research, investment, dedication, and respect. Yet, they can’t control everything, and a little luck is also required. This is the conviction of Marcel Van Poecke, founder of AtlasInvest, owner of Poggio Antico and co-owner of Anda e Bola, the “wine horse”, which won the Palio in August 2026 and in August 2025, and whom WineNews interviewed. | |
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| | In the world of wine, September isn’t just harvest season, but also the time for guides, lists, and rankings. And in the U.S., traditionally, the “Top 100 Best Buys” 2026 by “Wine Enthusiast” kicks things off. This list features wines that, to qualify for this recognition, must be priced at $20 or less, score at least 86 points, and thus earn the “Best Buy” designation. Compared to the 2025 edition of the “Top 100 Best Buys”, there are 19 Italian wines on this year’s list (see in-depth), 2 more than last year. In the top 10 are Cantine Volpi, Luca Bosio, and Feudo Maccari (the Sicilian winery owned by the Moretti Cuseri family), followed by, among others, Masi, Planeta, Marchesi di Barolo, J. Hofstätter, Terrazze dell’Etna, Santa Cristina, Donnafugata, Stemmari (Mezzacorona), Carpineto, and Piccini. | |
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| | Italian sparkling wine is winning over the French. In a struggling market, Prosecco, the driving force behind Italian wine exports, is bucking the trend. In France, the home of Champagne, it was the wine that saw the greatest growth in 2025 (+22.6%) in terms of purchase volumes by French bars, restaurants, and hotels, with a triple-digit surge (+175%) since 2019. This is evident from a study published by FranceAgriMer, which aims to measure wine purchases made by the commercial foodservice sector from organized retail channels. | |
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