Category: Italian Wine

Etna Days 2025: A Landmark Edition

This morning, I had the privilege of attending the Etna Days 2025 “Welcome Presentation” and “Technical Tasting” where an extraordinary lineup of Etna DOC wines and producers set the tone for what promises to be a landmark edition.

“The energy and diversity of wines from Mount Etna are simply remarkable.”  Liz Palmer

Etna Days 2025 takes place from September 18 to 20 with 90 wineries presenting over 500 labels to over 70 journalists, educators, and trade professionals to celebrate one of the world’s most dynamic terroirs: a living mosaic of lava-stone terraces, ungrafted vines, extreme altitudes, and endlessly shifting microclimates.

Promoted by the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Etna DOC, the event is designed to showcase the extraordinary identity of Etna wines, the very summit of Sicily’s qualitative pyramid.

Anchored at the Picciolo Golf Resort in Castiglione di Sicilia, the program unfolds with guided tours, immersive masterclasses, and a grand walk-around tasting featuring all 500 labels. This evening’s “Gala Dinner” will unite producers, winemakers, and international jurors of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a testament to the denomination’s growing global prestige.

As Francesco Cambria, President of the Consorzio, emphasizes: “Etna Days is not only about wines—it is about the cultural and identity value of a collective heritage. Each bottle tells a story that intertwines resilience, memory, and vision.”

Etna is more than a vineyard. It is a living laboratory of biodiversity and sustainability, where indigenous varieties such as Nerello Mascalese and Carricante thrive on ancient terraces carved from volcanic stone. This heroic viticulture has become emblematic of Sicily’s ability to preserve tradition while forging an avant-garde path on the world stage.

With the collaboration of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the presence of over 70 international journalists and educators, Etna Days 2025 confirms the denomination’s stature as a global benchmark. Beyond wine, the ambition is holistic: to weave together hospitality, gastronomy, and cultural heritage into a sustainable model of growth for the territory.
For further details: https://consorzioetnadoc.com/en-US/home

Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton, Sicily

Just arrived at the breathtaking Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton, tucked away in the heart of Castiglione di Sicilia.

Surrounded by lush vineyards, ancient olive groves, and the dramatic slopes of Mount Etna, this place is pure magic. Here’s a fun fact: It’s the only place in Europe where you can play golf on the slopes of an active volcano

Stay tuned — a full review is coming soon!

Alto Adige Wine Summit 2025: Expanding Horizons and Strengthening Global Influence

The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines has successfully concluded the Alto Adige Wine Summit 2025, marking its most ambitious and internationally resonant edition to date. Held biennially, the summit serves as the preeminent platform for positioning Alto Adige as a dynamic contributor to the global wine dialogue, uniting international trade media, sommeliers, wine merchants, and hospitality professionals.

For the first time in its history, the summit extended its program by two additional days, reflecting its growing scope and influence. From September 4 to 8, a total of 82 delegates from thirteen countries immersed themselves in the cultural and viticultural fabric of Alto Adige. Participants engaged in exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, in-depth tastings, and direct exchanges with local winegrowers and producers, thereby gaining a comprehensive understanding of the region’s unique terroirs and winemaking traditions.

The summit’s opening sessions introduced international wine journalists and opinion leaders to the region’s viticultural identity, while the expanded program specifically targeted sommeliers, wine merchants, and hospitality professionals. This deliberate broadening of audiences reflects Alto Adige’s strategic aim of deepening its global market presence and strengthening cross-sector partnerships.

A major highlight was the large-scale tasting hosted at NOI Techpark in Bolzano, which presented 365 wines from 100 producers. This unprecedented showcase provided delegates with a singular opportunity to appreciate the breadth, quality, and stylistic diversity of Alto Adige’s contemporary wine production.

The strong representation of U.S. media reinforced Alto Adige’s rising prominence in the American market, its most dynamic export destination.

With its expanded scope, the Alto Adige Wine Summit 2025 has further cemented its role as a global reference point for promoting wine culture, trade dialogue, and cross-cultural exchange, strengthening Alto Adige’s position within the evolving landscape of international wine.

Radici del Sud 2025: Celebrating the Roots of Southern Italian Wine and Food

The twentieth edition of Radici del Sud recently concluded spectacularly, marking another milestone for this renowned annual celebration of Southern Italian wine and culinary excellence. Held from June 4–9, 2025, at the historic former Distillery Paolo Cassano in Gioia del Colle, Puglia, this unique gathering brought together wine producers, international buyers, critics, journalists, and passionate consumers to celebrate and promote the authentic flavours of the South.

A Rich History of Southern Italian Wine Promotion

Founded in 2005, Radici del Sud (literally “Roots of the South”) was created to highlight the often-underestimated viticulture of Southern Italy. What began as a showcase exclusively for Apulian wineries has significantly grown over the years to include wines from all Southern Italian regions: Puglia, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Sicily, Molise, Abruzzo, and Sardinia.

The event’s mission remains unchanged: to highlight the unique identity of these wines and support producers in reaching international markets. This is achieved through professional tastings, B2B meetings, and conferences that emphasize sustainability and indigenous grape varieties such as Primitivo, Negroamaro, Aglianico, Nero d’Avola, and Greco.

The 2025 Event Experience

This year’s edition offered participants a complete immersion into Southern Italian wine culture. Guided tours on June 5 and 6 introduced guests to historic sites, local cellars, and Mediterranean cuisine at top restaurants. On June 7 and 8, structured B2B meetings paired producers with industry professionals, with about 20 wine producers featured in each session. These intimate exchanges allowed winemakers to tell the story of their wines and present full portfolios.

The festivities concluded on June 9 with a grand tasting featuring more than 100 wine and olive oil producers from Southern Italy. Open to both enthusiasts and industry specialists, this showcase gave importers and visitors the opportunity to discover new products while exploring the beautiful city of Bari.

Wine Competition and Quality Recognition

A highlight of Radici del Sud is its prestigious wine competition, where an international panel conducts blind tastings of hundreds of wines. The judges assess both technical excellence and the ability to express terroir and tradition.

This year’s tasting revealed exceptional quality across categories: Puglian rosés stood out with their bright character, Calabrian whites showed impressive complexity, and Southern Italy’s signature bold reds reaffirmed their distinctive intensity and depth.

Beyond Wine: Celebrating Culinary Heritage

Radici del Sud also celebrates the culinary traditions of the South with cooking shows, tastings, and presentations by chefs and food artisans. This holistic approach reinforces the deep connection between land, wine, and cuisine.

Wine Tourism in Puglia

Puglia has become a top wine tourism destination, as underscored by the event. Most wineries now offer tasting rooms and visitor facilities, while many provide integrated experiences such as cooking classes, wellness programs, vineyard dinners, sunset tastings, and grape harvest participation. With accommodations available at many estates, wine lovers can fully immerse themselves in the local terroir.

A Platform for Southern Italian Excellence

Over two decades, Radici del Sud has become a vital platform for showcasing the hidden gems of Italy’s southern wine regions. In an industry often dominated by northern and central Italian wines, it gives voice to the South, where sun, soil, and centuries of tradition create wines of remarkable character.

The 20th edition once again demonstrated that Southern Italian wines deserve recognition on the global stage. By highlighting authentic, terroir-driven wines and supporting local producers, Radici del Sud strengthens Southern Italy’s reputation as a source of distinctive, high-quality wines rooted in cultural and geographical heritage.

Filippo Magnani

A Montefalco 2025: Celebrating an Entire Region Beyond the Sagrantino Grape

The third edition of A Montefalco took place on June 17–18, 2025, in the beautiful medieval village of Montefalco, Umbria. Building on the success of the reimagined event that began in 2023, this year’s celebration honoured not only the current vintage release of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG but also the full diversity of wines produced across this exceptional region.

Alongside the 2021 release of the area’s flagship red, visitors experienced a comprehensive lineup of local wines, including Montefalco Bianco DOC, Montefalco Grechetto DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino Superiore DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino Spumante DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino Passito DOC, Montefalco Rosso DOC, and Montefalco Rosso Riserva DOC, all showcased in tasting rooms that welcomed both Italian and international press.

Participating Wineries

The 2025 event featured an impressive roster of over 40 participating wineries, including established names like Arnaldo Caprai, Antonelli San Marco, and Lungarotti, as well as emerging producers, all contributing to the rich tapestry of Montefalco’s wine heritage.

A Montefalco 2025 proved to be a standout celebration of this unique wine region, offering visitors the chance to explore not only the renowned Sagrantino grape but the entire portfolio of wines that make Montefalco so special. Highlights included dedicated events for accredited journalists and trade professionals: professional tasting rooms with extended hours and sommelier service, direct winery visits, the Gran Premio del Sagrantino national sommelier competition, and the unveiling of the commemorative artist label for the 2021 vintage.

Montefalco: Umbria’s Medieval Wine Capital

Perched high above the Umbrian valley and known as the “Balcony of Umbria,” Montefalco has earned its place among Italy’s most distinctive wine regions. Its medieval charm is matched by a winemaking tradition deeply rooted in the land’s mineral-rich, clay-limestone soils and Mediterranean-influenced climate. Sun-soaked days followed by cool evenings allow for the slow ripening and concentration that characterize wines of exceptional depth and aging potential.

Vineyards cascade along gentle hillsides that maximize sun exposure while protecting vines from harsh conditions. This unique microclimate, paired with expert viticulture, has made Montefalco a benchmark of Italian wine excellence.

The Indigenous Grapes That Define Montefalco

Sagrantino

The undisputed king of Montefalco, Sagrantino is one of Italy’s most powerful indigenous red grapes. With its thick skins and bold tannins, it produces intensely structured wines rich in dark fruit, spice, and minerality. Over time, its formidable structure transforms into elegance, making it one of the few Italian reds capable of long-term cellaring.

Sangiovese

In Montefalco, Sangiovese takes on added nuance from the region’s terroir. While retaining its bright cherry character and natural acidity, it gains complexity and structure, making it the perfect blending partner for Sagrantino in Montefalco Rosso.

Trebbiano Spoletino

This revived white variety thrives in the hills of Montefalco and Spoleto. Known for its balance of citrus, florality, and herbal intrigue, Trebbiano Spoletino showed its versatility at the event through several expressions: crisp DOC bottlings, elegant Superiore, vibrant Spumante, and luscious Passito dessert wines.

Grechetto

A full-bodied white that thrives in central Italy, Grechetto is known for its rich texture, stone fruit flavours, and nutty undertones. When paired with Trebbiano Spoletino, it adds dimension and complexity to Montefalco’s white wine offerings.

Wine Tourism in Montefalco

Montefalco has emerged as one of Umbria’s leading wine tourism destinations, attracting visitors eager to discover its blend of history, culture, and exceptional wines. The rolling landscape, dotted with olive groves and vineyards, offers an immersive Italian wine country experience.

Family-owned wineries open their doors to guests, offering personal insights into generations-old winemaking traditions and innovations that push the boundaries of indigenous varietals.

The Strada del Sagrantino

The region’s official wine route, Strada del Sagrantino, provides a curated journey through Montefalco’s top wine estates. From boutique producers to architectural landmarks, each stop reveals unique expressions of terroir, craft, and culinary connection. This route encapsulates the spirit of the region, where tradition meets contemporary excellence.

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2021: A New Vintage to Celebrate

The 2025 event presented the much-anticipated 2021 vintage of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG in both traditional and blind tastings. Visitors were able to experience its complexity and potential firsthand.

The tasting program ran from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on both days, with sommelier-guided sessions held in the Sala Consiliare. Access was granted through pre-booked time slots via the “Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco” app.

Winery Visits at A Montefalco 2025

Lunelli / Tenuta Castelbuono

The Lunelli family, masterminds behind four diverse siblings (Matteo, Marcello, Camilla, and Alessandro), have built an impressive portfolio spanning from their original Trentino operations to Tuscan holdings at Tenuta Podernovo. Their empire extends beyond wine to include the Michelin-starred Locanda Margon restaurant, the historic Tassoni cedrata brand acquired in 2021, and Surgiva mineral water.

The Lunellis entered Umbria in 2000, initially working with leased vineyards before acquiring Tenuta Castelbuono in 2001. Their first Sagrantino harvest came in 2003. The estate’s crown jewel is the architectural marvel “Carapace,” designed in collaboration with renowned artist Arnaldo Pomodoro between 2005-2012. This turtle shell-inspired structure symbolizes four key elements: sacred profile, longevity, deliberate process, and power. At its heart sits the circular “Ziggurat” room, an inverted cone used for private tastings.

The estate produces approximately 130,000 bottles annually from 40 hectares, focusing exclusively on red wines in Umbria. Luca D’Attoma recently took over winemaking duties from Ruben De Laurentis, who managed the operation for 11 years.

Valdangius

Representing the new generation of Montefalco estates, Valdangius is a family-run winery led by Danilo Antonelli, with daughter Jessica and winemaker Alessandro Meniconi. This multigenerational collaboration reflects a balance of heritage and forward-thinking.

Terre de Trinci

Terre de Trinci holds a unique place in Sagrantino history as the cooperative that pioneered dry Sagrantino production. Founded in 1968, this cooperative of 100 members farms 120 hectares, plus an additional 50 hectares of estate-owned vineyards. In 1972, they released the first bottles of dry (non-passito) Sagrantino di Montefalco, helping establish what would become a DOCG in 1992.

Located in Foligno rather than within Montefalco’s borders, they’re the only consortium members authorized to vinify outside the denomination’s territorial boundaries due to their historical significance. The cooperative transitioned to member ownership in 1992 after initially being managed by the local agricultural consortium.

Antonelli San Marco

One of Montefalco’s most respected family estates, Antonelli San Marco has been a benchmark producer in the region for generations. The winery is known for both innovation and respect for tradition, particularly in their work with indigenous varieties.

Filippo Magnani