Banfi joins Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Banfi, one of Tuscany's leading producers and a stalwart of Brunello di Montalcino, has become part of the Hallgarten family.

Friday read: Lago di Garda, Gropello Gentile and Italy’s most memorable rosato

Italy’s wine reputation has never been higher. Many of its reds from Tuscany and Piedmont are well established icons, its whites get better each year, whilst sparkling wines are also on the up with Franciacorta, Alta Langa and Oltrepo Pavese increasingly appealing to higher end consumers tired of Prosecco.

Fine wine market sees Q3 decline

The fine wine market continued to face challenges in Q3 2024, as prices dipped for another consecutive quarter. According to Wine Cap's Q3 2024 Fine Wine Report, the market has been in decline since late 2022, with an average drop of 4% in the latest quarter. 

From gelato to Gunderloch – Liberty hits a high note at autumn tasting

An amped up Tom Platt, CEO of Liberty Wines, was keen to share his optimism this week as the trade steams ahead into the last months of 2024, with a particular focus on a handful of new Italian wines and a “significantly developed” Spain category striking a chord with visitors at Tuesday's (17 September) autumn tasting.

Berry Bros. & Rudd becomes exclusive partner for Tuscan vineyard

Fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd (BBR) has inked a new partnership with Orma, sandwiched between the hallowed estates of Ornellaia and Sassicaia.

Five minutes with Luca Marrone

Luca Marrone, chief winemaker for Grattamacco, discusses the journey of Bolgheri Superiore from 1991 to 2021, focusing on its balance of innovation and tradition.

AI delivers individual bottle labels for new Maison Wessman wine

Bergerac producer Maison Wessman defines itself as ‘reinventing tradition’, and this innovative winemaker has embraced AI-enhanced graphics which deliver an individual label for each bottle of its Imprévu wine.

Berry Bros. and Tuscan producer Bibi Graetz announce exclusive partnership

Fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd has become the exclusive UK agent for Tuscan based producer Bibi Graetz and his winery in Fiesole overlooking Florence.

Friday read: The Verdicchio Renaissance

The white wines made from Verdicchio in Italy’s central Marche region were once famous for lining the supermarket shelves in its recognisable hourglass shaped bottle. Often considered generic in style, the varietal has undergone a renaissance in recent years. Is it time to revisit verdant Verdicchio in all its forms?

Staff shortages affect 45% of wine industry Prowein finds

According to new research published by Prowein, 45% of businesses in the wine industry have been affected by staff shortages over the last two years.

Friday read: Alto Adige – land of diversity, coops and the 1ha plot

Alto Adige is one of the smallest wine-producing regions in Italy. Nestled in between the Alps and the Dolomites, it acts as a kind of gateway between its neighbours in Austria and the rest of Italy proper, with wineries’ dual citizenship highlighted in the commonplace appearance of both Cantina and Kellerei on labels.

Friday Read: Lugana's long road to the limelight

Lugana, often see as an also-ran compared to the likes of Gavi and Soave, is emerging with new styles, including sparkling, to highlight the distinctive characteristics of the Turbiana grape.

Biondi-Santi: New future for an Italian legend

Legendary Tuscan producer Biondi-Santi, described back in 1932 as the ‘inventor of Brunello di Montalcino’, has seen many evolutions in its 150-year+ history. A recent tasting however, revealed an estate which has benefitted from renewed investment, plus a new CEO, who has continued to lead the portfolio into a new era under French ownership.

Italy’s hot topics

New generation takes the helm at Cantina Kurtatsch

The torch is being passed to the next generation at Italian cooperative Cantina Kurtatsch in the mountains of Alto Adige.

Jascots adds Sartarelli to portfolio

Jascots Wine Merchants has added producer Sartarelli to its 750-strong portfolio, strengthening its Italian reach with this Marche-based estate.

Guidalberto steps out of Sassicaia shadow as ‘standalone wine’

Tenuta San Guido is looking to reposition its Guildaberto label as a significant Tuscan icon in its own right, according to the estate’s Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta.

Chiaretto eyes Provence's crown

Chiaretto for Christmas? Sadly, despite more and more people drinking pink all year round, Italy’s bestselling Rosado Chiaretto di Bardolino didn’t grace many British dinner tables last December and won’t at Easter. A quick Google suggests some retailers stock it – Fortnums has two – but most main supermarkets and even The Wine Society draw a blank, suggesting the limited inroads it has made here. Which is frankly rather surprising, given the history of this wine, and the increasing popularity of the rather similar Provence rosé.

Lanchester’s Italian partner Tombacco steps up to sustainability

Vinicola Tombacco has achieved Equalitas Certification, a wine sector sustainability standard which recognises the winery’s commitment to sustainability.

Q&A: Peter Vinding-Diers – the 'viking in the vineyard'

Viking in the Vineyard author Peter Vinding-Diers has had a one-of-a-kind winemaking life. Jo Gilbert catches up with the Danish-born vigneron on his latest venture – a selection of standout Sicilian Syrahs at his Montecarrubo winery.