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Issue 801 - August 31st - September 4th 2026 - Expressly created for 3677 wine lovers,
professionals and opinion leaders from all over the world | |
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| | | San Pietro and Villa Treville in Positano, Borgo Santandrea in Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast, the Splendido (part of the Belmond group) in Portofino, Castiglion del Bosco in Montalcino, part of the Rosewood Hotels group; the Orient Express La Minerva, in the heart of Rome; the Forestis Dolomites in Bressanone; Borgo Egnazia in Savelletri, Apulia; and Reschio in Lisciano Niccone, Umbria: these are the 9 Italian hotels (many of which feature Michelin-starred restaurants, in more detail) ranked from 51 to 100 on “The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026”, which will reveal the top 50 positions of the ranking on September 15 in Paris. | |
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| | Global wine exports in the first quarter of 2026 suffered a sharp decline. Bulk wine exports also declined, down 18.8% in value to 566 million euros and down 18.9% in volume to 7.1 million hectoliters, while average prices remained virtually unchanged at 80 euros per hectoliter (+0.1%). These figures come from the “Bulk Wine Markets Evolution up to March” 2026 report by Vinexposium, one of the global leaders in events for wine and spirits professionals and operators (organizer of the international “Wine Paris” trade show, ed.), with analysis by Rafael del Rey/Del Rey Analysts of Wine Markets (Awm). On a year-over-year basis, however, bulk wine exports fell by 11.8% in value (to 2.3 billion euros) and by 10.3% in volume (to 30 million hectoliters), with average prices edging down to 78 euros per hectoliter. The pace of the decline is therefore accelerating, and compared to the trend in the global wine market, the negative performance of bulk wine exports is worse than the average, which recorded a decline of -6.6% in volume and -8.8% in value.As for “real” bulk wine, that is, wine shipped in containers with a capacity of more than 10 liters, the report explains that Spain remains by far the world’s leading exporter. Over the course of one year, from March 2025 to March 2026, it exported 10.2 million hectoliters, despite a 5.2% decline in shipment volumes. Italy, also from March 2025 to March 2026, was the third-largest supplier by value at 273 million euros (-11.3%), trailing not only Spain but also New Zealand (292 million euros, -20.6%), and the third-largest supplier by volume, behind Spain and Australia, with 3.1 million hectoliters (-13.3%). Since 2017, the report explains, EU bulk wine exports have decreased by 5.1% in value and 21.2% in volume, following a 20.3% increase in average prices over nearly a decade. However, the trend varied significantly by wine color: exports of bulk white wine fell by only -7.3% in volume, while those of red and rosé wines recorded a decline of -33.6%. | |
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| | The year was 1986: Italy’s wine industry was reeling from the methanol scandal, which ultimately spurred the sector’s “renaissance” toward a level of quality now recognized worldwide, while in Bra, Slow Food, the movement founded by Carlo Petrini, was born, a movement that would have a decisive influence on how so many people, as well as the food industry and global politics, would approach the issues of food and wine. This connection between wine and Slow Food will be celebrated at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026 (September 24-27, Turin) with major masterclasses dedicated to wineries that have helped shape the history of winemaking in Italy. From Biondi-Santi to Ceretto, from Gravner to Allegrini, and also Ca’ del Bosco, De Bartoli, and Bartolo Mascarello. | |
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| | | Not only the world of international cinema, but also that parallel universe of iconic hotels, cocktails, private dinners, toasts, and signature dishes that has always accompanied the red carpet: from September 2 to 12, the Lido once again becomes the center of the world with the 83rd edition of the Venice International Film Festival. As it does every year, the city transforms into a privileged vantage point for observing the rituals of contemporary luxury: where to stay, where to dine, and, of course, what to drink. For the third consecutive year, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is the “Official Sparkling Wine” of the Venice Film Festival, solidifying a partnership that transforms the UNESCO-listed hills into a permanent festival setting. But it’s not the only one: Montelvini provides the aperitifs for La Terrazza by Atlas Concorde at the Hotel Excelsior, and the Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC makes its debut as the official wine of Isola Edipo, the Lido’s most dynamic cultural space, while Tino Vettorello, the festival’s official chef for its food areas since 2010, is curating menus and events at the Palazzo del Casinò and the Terrazza Biennale, which will host film industry figures and institutional guests: among the special dishes is the “Rombo alla Clooney”, dedicated to George Clooney, an icon of contemporary cinema, to whom the Venice Film Festival is awarding this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. | |
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| | | An immersive experience in which the vineyard becomes a destination to stay in: this is the innovative Vinova project (developed by the startup EFB2 Sr), which is redefining the concept of wine hospitality thanks to Europe’s first “experiential hotel” dedicated to wine. The wine suites are small wooden structures with soft, curved shapes inspired by wine barrels. The goal is to have 300 wine suites by 2030 in Italy’s major wine-growing regions. The project debuted in Piedmont, at the historic Broglia winery in the Gavi DOCG region. | |
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| | Compagnia del Gusto Holding, an investment and brand development company in the food & beverage sector, inspired and promoted by the Cosulich family and led by CEO Ettore Nicoletto and Chairman Sergio Albarelli, is currently in a phase of rapid growth. After acquiring, in recent weeks, Cantine Romagnoli, a historic winery in the Colli Piacentini area, and the UK-based distribution company Jascots Wine Merchants, is now making another move with the acquisition of Winelivery, a digital and physical platform specializing in the wine and beverage sector (confirming the rumors we had previously reported). “This transaction is different from those carried out so far; we will not only be acquiring a business, but also expertise, technology, data, and the ability to engage with consumers, all of which can become assets for the entire Group”, explained Chairman Albarelli. | |
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| | David Khayat, a nonconformist French oncologist who has helped challenge certain clichés about the relationship between diet, health, and wine, is the winner of the “Masi International Award” for “Wine Culture” No. 45, announced by the Masi Foundation, which will be presented on October 16 with a signing ceremony at the Amarone barrel at Cantine Masi and a ceremony at Monteleone21 in Valpolicella. The “Venetian Culture” awards go to Luigi Carlon, Nello Cristianini, and the Venice Gardens Foundation, and the “Grosso D’Oro Veneziano” award goes to Reporters Sans Frontières. | |
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