Wine Spectator Celebrates 50 Years of life

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Wine Spectator, the flagship brand of M. Shanken Communications, turns 50 this month—marking a half century of editorial excellence, innovation, accolades and success. Widely known for reviewing thousands of wines each year in blind tastings, the brand is considered the most influential wine authority in the world, and is credited with helping to create wine culture in America.

“Fifty years is an impressive run for any publication. For a magazine devoted to wine, it also offers a useful moment for reflection,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor, Chairman and CEO, Wine Spectator. “For the past half-century, Wine Spectator has had the privilege of chronicling the modern wine world as it took shape. We are celebrating our anniversary in a big way with this special issue, looking back at where we started and how far we’ve come, while recognizing some of the people who made the journey possible.” Under Shanken’s leadership, Wine Spectator grew to be the preeminent authority on wine, with a mission of educating consumers and advancing their appreciation of wine.

THE NUMBERS: Wine Spectator began in 1976 with a print run of 3,000 copies. Today, that number approaches 375,000. Across the decades, more than 900 issues have been published as the publication evolved from a small newspaper to a glossy magazine. Editors reviewed 1,224 wines in 1986; today, they taste around 10 times as many annually. The Restaurant Awards have grown from 13 Grand Award winners in 1981 to 99 this year, among more than 4,000 restaurants across three award levels.

WINE OF THE YEAR: Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines reviewed over the previous 12 months and select the Top 100 based on quality, value, availability and excitement. The annual list honors successful wineries, regions and vintages around the world. The 2026 Wine of the Year and Top 100 will be unveiled in November.

MARQUEE EVENTS: Hosts the annual New York Wine Experience and takes the Grand Tour to major cities, bringing the world’s best winemakers to wine lovers across the country. In 2026, the Grand Tour was held in Denver, San Diego and Tampa.

WINE SPECTATOR SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION: Funded in large part by the New York Wine Experience, Wine Spectator’s charitable arm has raised more than $40 million to support wine education, including a $10 million gift toward the Wine Spectator Wine Education Center, which opened at Napa Valley College in 2025.

“Looking through these pages brings back countless memories of good friends, great bottles and grand tastings,” added Shanken. “Many of our readers have been with us for a substantial part of the ride. To our editors and staff, past and present; to the wine and restaurant communities that have welcomed us; and especially to you, our readers, who have invited us into your lives issue after issue. Thank you. Wine is a beautiful force that binds us together, and that powerful idea remains at the heart of what we do every day. Here’s to the next 50 years.”

A special 50th anniversary issue is available on newsstands since October 20th.

Wine Paris 2026: The Global Influence Epicentre For Wines And Spirits

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Wine Paris 2026 has established itself as the global influence hub for wines and spirits, now open to all beverage categories. A crossroads of attendance and influence, the event strengthens its structuring role for the industry on an international scale. With 63,541 trade visitors from 169 countries, 51% of whom were international – up 20.75% – and 6,537 exhibitors from 63 countries (51% international), representing a 20% increase, the 2026 edition confirms the event’s growing global reach.

“Wine Paris 2026 reaffirms its central role for the global beverage industry. As both a marketplace, a platform for influence and a space for dialogue, the event has become a structuring meeting point to support the sector’s transformations and help shape its future”, said Nicolas Cuissard, Director of Wine Paris.

THE LEADING GLOBAL MARKETPLACE FOR THE INDUSTRY

In a challenging economic environment marked by market unpredictability and trade tensions, Wine Paris has more than ever positioned itself as the place and the moment where global business opportunities converge.

Business momentum translated into 25,958 pre-scheduled meetings through the business matching platform – up 28% – and a 20% increase in the presence of top buyers. Over three days, 112,462 industry professionals crossed paths throughout the exhibition halls, reflecting the exceptional density of its ecosystem.

Producers, merchants, importers, distributors and international buyers found in Wine Paris a unique convergence point for business development. The renewed commitment of major industry players, combined with the arrival of new international exhibitors, further strengthens the event’s growing appeal.

All beverage categories are now structured within the ecosystem deployed by Vinexposium – wines, spirits, beers, ciders, cocktails, RTDs and no/low – reflecting evolving consumption patterns and market dynamics.

AN INFLUENCE PLATFORM OBSERVED BY ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DECISION-MAKERS

Wine Paris has reached a new strategic milestone by establishing itself as a major influence platform for the industry.

The 2026 edition brought together more than 400 French, European and international public officials. For the first time, the event was inaugurated by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron.

The show also welcomed former President François Hollande, two serving French ministers and four foreign ministers. Embassies from 37 countries were represented, including 21 ambassadors in attendance, alongside representatives of the European Commission (DG Trade and DG Agri) and members of Parliament from across the political spectrum.

This mobilisation now clearly demonstrates that Wine Paris has become a structured space for dialogue between the industry, national governments and European institutions.

Wine Paris is no longer solely a trading venue; it has become a strategic platform where the collective vision of the sector is shaped.

AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR DIALOGUE AND REFLECTION

The growing prominence of geo-economic issues and societal developments resulted in a strengthened content programme.

Three round tables were notably dedicated to the recently concluded free trade agreements between the European Union and Mercosur on the one hand, and between the European Union and India on the other, as well as to US tariffs and broader international trade tensions.

Through the Academy programme, the show delivered 239 sessions over three days – conferences, round tables and masterclasses – focusing on innovation, brand strategies, consumption trends, mixology, emerging market dynamics and the development of no/low.

New for 2026, the Be Spirits Stage and the Be No Stage introduced dedicated content programmes focused respectively on spirits and alcohol-free alternatives, enhancing the clarity and specialisation of the offer.
These discussions reinforced the event’s role as an international forum for reflection, where economic analysis, adaptation strategies and forward-looking perspectives are openly debated.

With 1,894 media representatives from 49 countries – 57% international – up 25%, Wine Paris demonstrates the global reach of the debates and industry dynamics taking place at the show.

BE SPIRITS AND BE NO: KEY PILLARS OF THE VINEXPOSIUM ECOSYSTEM

The continued success of Be Spirits and the launch of Be No illustrate Wine Paris’ ability to support structural market developments through clearly identified and sustainable formats. Both further consolidate their long-term role within the Vinexposium portfolio.

Be Spirits brought together 370 exhibitors from 39 countries (53% international), up 28%, with a strong presence of national pavilions. The visitor profile reflected increased internationalisation, the strong presence of leading trade buyers and, for the first time, a significant attendance of international bartenders, signalling a broadening of professional audiences.

Be No, a new space entirely dedicated to alcohol-free alternatives, gathered 64 exhibitors from 13 countries and featured more than 250 labels presented within a highly attended free-tasting area.

“In seven years of existence, we had never had the opportunity to meet so many people from such a wide range of countries – including Indonesia, Argentina and Canada – in such a short time. The show operates as a true one-stop shop, allowing us to present our brand internationally and meet potential distributors from around the world in one place,” said Ian Thomson, Founder of Thomson & Scott Naughty (United Kingdom).

SEE YOU IN FEBRUARY 2027

Wine Paris will return from 15 to 17 February 2027, with the ambition to continue strengthening its international momentum, support market transformations and consolidate its role as a global reference platform.

“In a rapidly changing world, the industry needs places capable of combining commerce, influence and collective reflection. Wine Paris has established itself as that global platform, bringing together economic, institutional and political stakeholders to build the future of wines and spirits. The 2026 edition marks a decisive new step in this trajectory,” concluded Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

Austrian Cooperage Creates First Wood and Stone Barrel

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For more than 90 years, the Schön cooperage in Lower Austria has been creating the perfect vessels for fermenting and ageing fine wines from carefully selected wood. But the world of wine is changing, and with it, consumer tastes. Powerful flavours and tannins are no longer as sought after – fruitiness and freshness are the new standard. A challenge for cooperages that has only just been solved with Schön’s invention of a patented ‘hybrid barrel’ made of both wood and stone.

Manuel Schön (29) is himself part of the younger generation of wine enthusiasts who appreciate precise fruit and fine aromas. He and his sister Jennifer are the fourth generation to run the Schön cooperage, whose traditionally crafted barrels are sought after by winemakers worldwide. But Manuel Schön did not want to rest on his laurels despite having nearly a century of barrel making craftsmanship in the family. And so, he developed a new wooden barrel that would take these contemporary wine styles into account while incorporating the undisputed qualities of ageing in wood.

Schön isn’t reinventing the wheel – just his wine barrel
After several years of hard work, Schön has found an innovative answer to one of the burning questions in the wine industry with his ‘hybrid barrel’. His latest patented creation is a barrel that combines the advantages of the classic wooden barrel with the stylistic influence of alternative vessels such as clay amphorae, concrete eggs and stone containers.

The barrel: a duet of wood and stone
After an extensive development and testing phase, including with project wines from young winemakers in 2024, the Schön family’s patented ‘hybrid barrel’ is now ready for the market. Classic oak staves are combined with stone slab bases. This creates a novel ageing process that guarantees a unique aroma profile. The barrel combines two materials that have been used in winemaking for centuries but are rarely associated with each other.

The wood
For the wood used in the staves, the Schön cooperage uses oak from Austria, France, Germany or Croatia. The wood is gently toasted at 140 °C / 284°F, then the first layer is removed to provided structure to the wine without any intrusive notes.

The stone
The bottom of the hybrid barrels is made of stone slabs: with regional considerations in mind, slate and granite were chosen. “Stone is the calming element. It hardly lets any oxygen through, does not require toasting and allows the wine to settle in peace. It brings clarity, sometimes even a subtle saltiness,” explains Manuel Schön.

The combination of wood and stone is tailor-made according to each customer’s requirements. Various types of wood, toasting and stone are available. When the influence of the wood diminishes, the hybrid barrel can be re-covered: the wooden body is renewed, while the stone remains. An approach that reflects Schön’s sustainable and resource-saving philosophy.

The result: a new style for modern wines
The special features of the hybrid barrel are easy to recognise: the barrel allows for more reductive ageing, as the stone slabs allow significantly less oxygen to pass through than wooden bases. This results in wines that are fresher and clearer in expression but still offer the desired aromas from wood ageing.

The barrique-sized hybrid barrel costs around €1,200. Due to the use of stone, it weighs 88 kilograms, which is around a third heavier than a conventional 225-litre barrel.

The future: rethinking craftsmanship
“The hybrid barrel in its current form is just the beginning,” explains Manuel Schön. “We are already receiving enquiries for barrels with marble inserts or even fermentation tanks with concrete lids. It’s great to see how we can bring a breath of fresh air to our craft as we move into the future.” The possibilities are almost limitless, and a wide variety of materials can be used.

www.schoen-austria.com

About Schön GmbH

For over 90 years, the Schön family has been synonymous with quality craftsmanship in the cooperage trade. Founded in 1933 by Johann Schön, the family business in the village of Sitzenberg-Reidling is now run by the fourth generation, Manuel and Jennifer, together with their father Gernot Schön. The company combines traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology: high-quality wooden barrels and fermentation tanks are manufactured to strict quality and hygiene standards. With around 85% of its production exported to more than 15 countries, the cooperage has become a recognised partner to wine producers throughout Europe.

Alto Adige Wines Returns to the US With a Series of Engaging Masterclasses

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The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines is coming back to the U.S. with an engaging series of masterclasses in San Francisco and Los Angeles in March, followed by Chicago and Houston in June, offering a rare opportunity to explore one of Italy’s most dynamic fine wine regions. Each session will pair curated tastings with expert-led educational seminars, showcasing Alto Adige DOC’s diverse grape varieties, remarkable terroirs, and signature balance of precision and elegance.

The series will open in San Francisco on March 23 with Vanessa Conlin, award-winning Master of Wine and educator, presenting “Alto Adige Wines: Alpine Wines for Bold Plates” . Hosted in a steakhouse setting, the seminar will explore the versatility of Alto Adige wines across a menu spanning seafood, light sauces, and grilled steaks. Featured grapes include Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Pinot Nero, Lagrein, Cabernet, and Merlot.

On March 25 in Los Angeles, Matthew Kaner, esteemed sommelier and 2019 Wine Enthusiast ’40 Under 40′ winner, will present “Alto Adige: Timeless Wines Shaped by the Dolomites,” highlighting young and aged examples of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Pinot Nero to illustrate the region’s aging potential and aromatic depth.

In Chicago on June 1 and Houston on June 3, top sommeliers Rachel Lowe and Brandon Kerne, MS will guide attendees through seminars titled “Alto Adige: Timeless Wines Shaped by the Dolomites” and “From the Dolomites to the Lone Star Plate,” respectively. These sessions will demonstrate how Alto Adige’s wines can pair with diverse menus, from delicate seafood to richly flavored steaks, reflecting the region’s broad stylistic range.

Eduard Bernhart, Director of the Consorzio Alto Adige Wines, commented: “The U.S. is a key market for Alto Adige, where wine professionals and consumers alike are eager to discover Italy’s most distinctive regions. These masterclasses allow us to showcase the diversity and elegance of Alto Adige DOC wines, while also highlighting the important work of the Consorzio in promoting our members, protecting quality, and communicating the unique stories behind every bottle.”

The series aims to give participants an in-depth understanding of Alto Adige’s geography, climate, and traditions, showcasing the region’s distinctive Alpine excellence balanced with Mediterranean warmth. Attendees will taste wines that reflect the soul of Alto Adige DOC: a harmonious expression of place, diversity, and winemaking craft.

About Consorzio Alto Adige Wines

The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines was formed in 2007 to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. One of Italy’s smallest wine-producing regions, Alto Adige is also one of its most multifaceted. Twenty grape varieties are cultivated on vineyards stretching from Mediterranean-influenced valleys to Alpine hillsides, tended by individual growers, small family-wineries, and cooperatives alike.

WINE PARIS 2026:A CHANGING GLOBAL DRINKS INDUSTRY

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Wine Paris is undergoing significant growth, restructuring and development to keep pace with changing consumption patterns. The 2026 event will feature three distinct events: Wine Paris, Be Spirits and Be No all under one roof, showcasing the expanding spectrum of both alcoholic and no-alcohol beverages. This major trade show marks its commitment to driving progress the sector, responding to global changes and supporting industry transformation.

Wine Paris  has established itself as a flagship event, attracting producers and buyers from around the world. The 2026 edition will feature over 6,000 exhibitors from 60 countries and welcome more than 60,000 visitors representing 155 markets. New national and regional pavilions will be introduced, including Croatia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Cyprus, Turkey, New Zealand, Bulgaria and Germany.

The United States ranks among the top five exhibiting nations at Wine Paris 2026, recording a 40% increase in exhibition space compared to 2025, nearly 5x growth since 2023. U.S. participation will feature national pavilions led by the California Wine Institute, Napa Valley, Oregon Wine Board and Washington State Wine Commission, alongside a diverse range of leading U.S. producers and importers, reflecting the depth and diversity of American wine expertise. This surge underscores the growing importance of the U.S. market and its commitment to international collaboration within the Vinexposium ecosystem.

Launched in 2020, Be Spirits has emerged as one of the most creative and innovative showcases at Wine Paris. In 2026, it will bring together over 300 exhibitors from 39 countries (versus 34 in 2025). For 2026, it becomes a standalone event, mirroring its growing international scope, with national pavilions and exhibitors representing Scotland, Japan, the United States, Ireland and Australia – and for the first time, the Philippines, Monaco, Madagascar, Panama, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

This momentum is driven by a strong mix of international leaders, rising craft distilleries, and premium mixer brands. The United States will feature a dedicated pavilion for the first time, led by Imex Management, with producers from Virginia and North Carolina. Canada also strengthens its presence with the Groupe Export Canada pavilion and new participants such as Nasdrow.

Anchored by immersive formats like the Infinite Bar and Be Spirits Stage, Be Spirits has built its own signature brand centered on mixology, expertise and innovation. The product range continues to expand to beers, ciders, sakes and RTDs, reflecting evolving consumer habits and a more diverse drinks culture.

Be No is a major addition for 2026, serving as Vinexposium’s new B2B hub for no-alcohol beverage alternatives. Responding to a rapidly growing global market with double-digit growth, Be No will be attended by 12 countries from Europe to Australia. Be No is establishing itself as an international platform supported by participation from leading brands such as Moderato, Noughty from Thomson & Scott or French Bloom. To guide and inspire in this evolving market, Be No Talks will debut in a new 45-minute format, encouraging interaction and the exchange of ideas. Be No completes the new product segment at Wine Paris 2026, offering a clear structure for a rapidly changing drinks industry.

Vinitaly 2025 Official closing facts and figures

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Republished from April 2025
Vinitaly 57th edition closeds April 9 2025 at Veronafiere with total attendance of 97,000 and a percentage of international professionals rising to 33% of total: more than 32,000 arrivals from over 130 countries, posting an overall increase of 7% compared to last year’s event. In particular, even more buyers arrived from the top three target markets for Italian wine: United States (+5%), Germany (+5%) and the United Kingdom, leaping forward by 30%, while China posted a downturn (-20%).
There was also very positive feedback in Europe, from France (+30%), Belgium (+20%) and Holland (+20%). Switzerland (10%) and Japan (+10%) also performed well. Attendance from Canada and Brazil was stable. This result is all the more significant given the context complicated by increased tariffs in the US and geo-political tensions.
Vinitaly and the City, the off-show event specifically for wine lovers staged in the historic centre of Verona, itself saw more than 50,000 tasting tickets sold, the same figure as for 2024 despite being one day shorter.
For the first time ever, two European Commissioners also made official visits to Vinitaly: Christophe Hansen (Agriculture and Rural Development) and Olivér Várhelyi (Health). Vinitaly also welcomed several Italian authorities: the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Enterprise and “Made in Italy”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Moreover, ICE Trade Agency contributed to the development of the incoming plan for international professional operators.
“Vinitaly 2025 closes as a successful edition where the world of Italian wine again expressed a sense of unity and ability to react, even in the face of initial difficulties associated with the introduction of US duties,” said Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere. “Verona has confirmed its status as the European capital of wine, thanks not the least to visits by two EU Commissioners, who announced new and effective initiatives to support the supply chain during Vinitaly, together alongside ministers and broad institutional attendance in Verona during the event. A very positive signal at a time when clarity, cohesion and strategic vision are vital. Vinitaly also consolidated its bonds with the United States: After its debut in 2024, the event returns to Chicago 5-6 October 2025 for the second edition of Vinitaly USA. Italian wine has clear ideas as regards this market: continue building a solid and long-lasting relationship with American consumers, who have always been in the forefront of the success of our exports.”
“Vinitaly comes through as a solid brand capable of providing the world of wine with a system-level response to the international scenario,” as the General Manager of Veronafiere, Adolfo Rebughini, explained. New features at this year’s Vinitaly included the debut of Vinitaly Tourism, the format specifically focused on wine tourism, and the inclusion in programme of emerging trends, such as No/Lows, RAW Wine and amphora wines. These initiatives further enhance the trade fair experience, thereby confirming Vinitaly as an event that not only listens to and snapshots sector but also one that anticipates its trajectories. Vinitaly, today more than ever, is a strategic asset in times of such far-reaching changes. Top quality professional operators and exhibitors satisfied by busy meeting agendas highlight the central role of the event in listening to markets and promoting Italian wine on a global scale.”
The next Vinitaly is scheduled 12-15 2026 April 2026.

Prowein 2025 vs. Wine Paris, rising competition?

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Republished from April 2025
Many wine professionals expected a business contraction hitting the famous German wine trade-show after its 2024 edition, in favour of the growing rival Wine Paris. The latter’s, visitors figures rising sharply (47,000 for Prowein compared to 41,250 for Wine Paris in 2024).
An operation comparison can be done and seems apparently unfavourable to Prowein Düsseldorf, for instance offering uncomfortable entry access and rising accomodation prices. Nevertheless, Prowein 2025 went relatively well for many producers.
Alessio Fortunato of Conti Zecca, Italy, said that “Prowein is always an exhibition worth participating, although in recent years attendance is shrinking.”
Many wine professionals noted that Prowein’s business matching program seems smart, but unefficient and in need of development. Vinitaly’ business app woks much better, on a comparison.
Overall Prowein 2025 was a trade-show worth attending, especially considering the weight of Germany in the European wine market, but revealing big room for improvement in many aspects and in need to do so, else suffer from other competing events, such as Vinitaly and Wine Paris.

Vinitaly 2025 How did it go

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Republished from April 2025
Vinitaly 2025 kicked-off its 57th edition in Verona setting forth the view that Italian wine is ready to face global challenges in its industry and market. This year’s trade-show had 97,000 attendees from over 130 countries and 4,000 exhibiting companies, reassessing itself as a driving force in the wine world. Despite a 20% drop in visitors from China, the overall international presence remained robust. Over 30,000 foreign buyers attended, including 3,000 from the United States, confirming the U.S. as the main market for Italian wine, moreover so considering possible new tariffs.
Vinitaly is organised by Veronafiere (Verona’s trade-show company). Its president, Federico Bricolo, emphasized Vinitaly’s commitment to supporting institutions and businesses abroad. Upcoming initiatives include a promotional event at the Italian Embassy in Washington, targeting U.S. lawmakers (vs. tariffs) and reinforcing ties ahead of the second “Vinitaly USA” meeting in Chicago next October.
However, talks had also difficult subjects such as tariffs, regulatory bottlenecks, and the future of NoLo drinks. Vinitaly 2025 was both a platform of excellence and an arena for worries, strategies, and opportunities regarding the future of Italian (and global) wine.
One of the most debated issues this year was the impact of newly imposed U.S. tariffs on Italian wine. According to Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), American distributors are refusing to absorb the extra cost, leaving Italian producers under pressure to maintain shelf prices or risk market loss.
The estimated is of around €323 million/year, affecting nearly 480 million bottles. Frescobaldi urged Italian companies to hold on and called for overall sacrifice across the supply chain, including retailers and logistics partners. He also appealed to the Italian government to set forth diplomatic initiatives at the EU level to prevent a repeat of the French scenario in 2020, where similar tariffs led to a 28% drop in wine exports to the U.S.
Faced with this pressure, the urgency for market diversification is growing. While the U.S. remains a pillar of Italian wine exports(accounting for 24% of Italian wine exports), relying too heavily on this export market is a dangerous weakness. Encouragingly, Vinitaly 2025 showed that buyer attendance from the UK surged by 30%, while Belgium and the Netherlands saw increases of 20% each, and Japan and Switzerland rose by 10%. These signals confirm growing demand from countries with mature and premium-oriented consumer bases, offering Italian producers new growth paths beyond the Atlantic.

Now a paragraph on the so-called “No-Lo” (No and Low alcohol) drinks. First of all, to any wine-lover, gourmet and wine expert they cannot be considered as “wine”.
WINE, by definition, history, production method and terroir HAS ALCOHOL!
A certain range of % alcohol.
No-Lo products, therefore, cannot be classified as wine, whatever the marketing and sales propaganda may say or invent. No-Lo may be good dinks and successfully appreciated products, but cannot be considered as wine (and I would suggest nor labelled as such).
That clear, the No-Lo new segment drew major attention at this year’s Vinitaly for its growth potential. Globally, the market is projected to reach $3.3 billion by 2028, led by the U.S. which holds a 63% market share. In Italy No-Lo drinks represent just 0.1% of sales (fortunately). Producers of NoLo expressed frustration over tax ambiguities and space separation rules that make domestic production practically impossible until at least 2026. As a result, leading Italian brands are outsourcing dealcoholization (an industrial process manipulating wine and altering its alcoholic nature, turning it into another drink) abroad, hurting competitiveness and innovation.
Unfortunately, there are several wine producers in Italy and abroad that, thinking to sell more liquid or trying to straighten their languishing economic performances, embrace the NoLo new dogma and turn advocates of these drinks produced from wine alteration. Calls for a clear legal framework intensified during the exhibition, as industry leaders pushed to unlock investment and protect early adopters from reputational risks.
The risk of this industry approach, to me, is to commit business suicide, as NoLo drinks do not necessarily have to possess wine’s unique characteristics and qualities, such as terroir, heritage, history, alcohol. In other words NoLos can be produced more easily than wine, by anyone, anywhere and their input could easily become poor quality wine, reprocessed industrially as a decent NoLo drink, but de facto substituting wine itself. Current wine producers themselves could be easily substituted by big food companies or conglomerates, producing NoLo similarly to soft-drinks. Perhaps in aluminum cans… What would be the cost to the wine industry of such a trend, if successful? I believe it is easily imaginable. Odd is, that wine producers themselves are pushing for this scenario, instead of defending their product, their companies and the future of their families. NoLos will certainly not require so many producers, globally, as currently is for wine as an industry; a few big global players will suffice. And Big drink industry companies know that. Consumer interest seems surging. According to UIV’s Observatory, Italian consumers are increasingly drawn to No-Lo drinks for health, safety, and curiosity, especially among younger buyers. With new regulation, this niche could become a (deadly and suicidal) diversification channel for Italian wineries.

One of the most encouraging signals at Vinitaly 2025 came from the wine tourism sector. The new “Vinitaly Tourism” format and a landmark report by the Movimento Turismo del Vino and CESEO highlighted how wineries are adapting to experiential trends and regional identities.
Italian wine tourism is no longer limited to tastings. Across the country, especially in central and southern regions, wineries are offering yoga in vineyards, vineyard cycling tours, wine festivals with live music, and even art workshops among the vines. Tuscany and Umbria lead regions with premium experiences. Wine tourism is evolving fast and has become an essential driver for brand loyalty and market differentiation. As Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini, president of MTV, stated: “Differentiation is the key to meeting the needs of the contemporary wine tourist. It’s no longer about just showing the cellar, it’s about creating memories.”
For the first time, two European Commissioners visited the fair, signaling its growing policy relevance. With new trade negotiations and regulatory reforms upcoming, Vinitaly is an industry exhibition where the future of Italian wine is being shaped.

NoLo alcohol wines première at Vinitaly 2025

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No-Low alcohol (NoLo) wines officially join the offering at 57th International Wine and Spirits Exhibition scheduled at Veronafiere 6-9 April, 2025.

The announcement was made in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, during a masterclass named: “Italian Grapes Reimagined: An Alcohol-Free Tasting Experience” organised by Vinitaly during the promotional stop-off by the Italian Navy’s training sailing ship Amerigo Vespucci. A prologue event within the scope of the development plan for the Show designed to complete the assets of the only trade fair brand promoting Made in Italy wine.

The President of Veronafiere, Federico Bricolo, commented: “Vinitaly is a crossroads for trends that it has always intercepted, monitored and analysed in order to improve services and content for our exhibitors and the sector as a whole. In this context, NoLo wines will join the exhibition programme for the first time this year to strengthen the role of Vinitaly by welcoming opens new markets and responding to the challenges of evolution in demand.”

“The pilot project ranging from the product to training and dedicated technology,” continued the General Manager of Veronafiere, Adolfo Rebughini, “will be consolidated in the course of coming editions to become a structural part of the event. The aim is to represent a complementary market for denomination wines currently enjoying strong growth on a global scale as well as to improve competitiveness of Vinitaly in times of far-reaching transformation in this sector.”

At present, the alcohol-free programme at Vinitaly 2025 includes two focus areas: “Zero alcohol and market expectations” (8 April) and “Technology 0.0: production and innovation compared” (9 April) developed in collaboration with the Italian Wine Union (UIV) and the support of the UIV-Vinitaly Observatory to interpret the evolution of this market segment. In exhibition terms, Vinitaly 2025 will present a Wine Showcase specifically for alcohol-free wines, with an exclusive serving counter, while NoLo wines will also star in the cocktails in the Mixology Pavilion.

Franciacorta, The Markets Confirm The Brand’s Strategies And Values

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The year 2024 closed with satisfying results for Franciacorta, despite an especially complex global economic context. Product quality and the efforts of the producers kept both volumes and values essentially stable, confirming the brand’s solidity.

The data shows that the domestic market generally held up and exports continued to grow in value and average prices, with the United States confirmed as a strategic market whose sales value and volumes are continuing to expand. European markets and some emerging markets also showed positive trends thanks to growing attention to product quality and authenticity. If exports are analyzed by individual nation, Switzerland came out on top, accounting for 22.1% of total exports. The United States came next, accounting for 12.6% of exports in 2024, which is a rise, followed by Japan, Germany and Belgium.

“Franciacorta overcame global challenges with a strong 2024, which closed with stable and encouraging results,”, said the President of the Franciacorta Consortium. “We worked to reinforce our presence on international markets, focusing on quality at all times, an element which enabled us to grow in value and consolidate our position. As a small wine region we are growing constantly, focusing on the right places and opportunities, continuing to concentrate on the quality and authenticity which marks us out.”

2024 closed with estimated sales volumes as a percentage of the total production of estates signed up to the Economic Observatory of 84%, equivalent to 19,128,814 bottles, with average prices increasing. The average price of a bottle of Franciacorta off the shelf, including VAT, was €24.52 in December 2024, a sign of customer appreciation of the product’s quality and identity.

Looking to the future, the Franciacorta Consortium is getting ready for 2025 with a program of events and initiatives designed to further reinforce the brand’s global position. 2025 will see new promotional events and strategic partnerships designed to engage more and more consumers and professionals across the wine world. The year will began with the collection of the prestigious Wine Enthusiast International (Non-U.S.) Wine Region of the Year 2024 Wine Star Awards on 27 January 2025 at Westin St. Francis in San Francisco at a Black Tie Gala.

In March the Franciacorta Consortium will celebrate its 35th birthday with two days of events which will talk about how Franciacorta has evolved in recent years and celebrate the past and future of the wine and its region together with producers, experts and sector professionals from all over the world.

The most eagerly awaited appointments include the Festival di Primavera spring event on 8-9 March, now on its second year, which will celebrate the whole Franciacorta system’s synergy between tradition, gastronomy, sustainability and culture as well as the region’s chefs and wine estates. Franciacorta will also take part in international trade fairs and events including the traditional Vinitaly appointment on 6-9 April with a view to consolidating Franciacorta’s presence on both domestic and international markets and attracting new clients.

2025 will also feature a series of consolidated events, including the travelling Festival Itineranti which will stop off in Ravenna on 9 June and Bari on 20 October to offer visitors the chance to taste the products of the Consortium’s members. September features the Festival in Cantina winery festival from 19 to 21 September. Internationally-speaking the festival will visit Chicago on 7 May, Lugano on 19 May, Hamburg on 16 June and Tokyo in the first week of November.

2025 will also see the Consortium’s partnerships with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, Guida Michelin Italia and USA, the Emmy Awards, 1000 Miglia and Porsche being consolidated. It will also be a year of promotion on digital channels with social media and online platform initiatives reaching an increasingly large and enthusiastic audience.

2025 will thus be a year of great satisfaction and opportunity for Franciacorta with a focus on the internationalisation, promotion and strengthening of the wine and its region. On the strength of solid partnerships with prestigious partners and Franciacorta’s unmistakeable quality, the Consortium is getting ready for another year of success, innovation and growth and a renewed commitment to its twofold role of sector guardian and regional development driver.