The picturesque Abruzzo region, nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the snow-capped Gran Sasso in Italy, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Historically known for its Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a wine celebrated for its affordability rather than its quality, the region is now at the forefront of an exciting wine renaissance. This shift is at...

In Italy, before dinner, people enjoy a special drink called an aperitif. It’s not just a drink; it’s a fun and tasty tradition that brings friends and family together. Aperitivo is an integral part of Italian culture, a pre-dinner drink ritual typically accompanied by light snacks intended to stimulate one’s appetite and facilitate socializing bef...

The world of winemaking never fails to surprise. After wines aged under seawater, of which we spoke in these very pages a few months ago, it’s now time to meet heroic wines.  In their name, heroic wines pay tribute to the extraordinary efforts and dedication of winegrowers who cultivate grapes under challenging conditions, far from conventional vit...

Visiting the United States for the third time, the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani is preparing to take New York by storm, bringing together 200 wineries for the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO) event on March 19th and 20th, 2024. The unprecedented number of wineries participating makes this event the Consortium...

Imagine the rich aromas of Italian cuisine filling the air, the sounds of lively conversations, and the warm, vibrant atmosphere of a community coming together for a cause. This was the scene at the Napa Elks Lodge, where the Napa Sons and Daughters of Italy in America hosted their sell-out annual fundraiser, Boot to Fork: Festa Italiana a Napa. A...

Around the world, Italian sparkling wines continue to make their mark despite the fact that the period is not the best as far as the international wine-related market is concerned. A balance that sees a 14% drop for the volumes of Italian sparkling wines shipped to the United States in 2023, but not that of the actual consumption of Italian sparkli...

Despite some difficulties in 2023, the United States is by far the leading market for Italian wine. After a record 2022, at €1.86 billion, 8.3% over 2021, in the first 11 months of 2023, imports to the U.S. stopped at €1.6 billion (down 6% over the same period in 2022, Istat data analyzed by WineNews). A negative figure, to be sure, but an improvem...

In celebration of the Italian Festival of Women in March, Restaurateur Caroline Styne and Chef Suzanne Goin present La Festa della Donna on Monday, March 11, 2024, at A.O.C. in Brentwood. Caroline has invited her special guests Mariarita Grasso of Azienda Agricola Filippo Grasso and Alice Bonaccorsi of Azienda Agricola Alice Bonaccorsi, Italy. Also...

Who doesn’t enjoy a glass or two of bubbly every once in a while? Champagne or prosecco, dry or sweet, bubbles are key, so it’s not a surprise that ensuring there are many (and that they last) has been the goal of winemakers for centuries. Because we know it: over time, sparkling wines gradually lose their effervescence.  Recent research by the Uni...

In 2023, the export volumes of Italian sparkling wines to the United States witnessed a substantial decline of -14%. Despite this setback, there is a simultaneous uptrend in the actual consumption percentages of Italian sparkling wines, evident on both retail shelves and within American establishments. This trend is discerned by the UIV (Italian Wi...