the arrival on the international markets of the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino and 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva harvests: CastelGiocondo and Ripe al Convento by Marchesi Frescobaldi, a Tuscan winery.

Elegance and complexity tell the essence of the 2020 harvest of CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino. Varied and complex bouquet for Ripe al Convento 2019, the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva by Marchesi Frescobaldi. After the long refinement that characterizes the production regulations of Brunello, both wines are available on international markets for tasting.

For centuries, the history of Tenuta CastelGiocondo , owned by the Frescobaldi family since 1989, has been intertwined with that of Montalcino and its main grape variety, Sangiovese, enriching the winemaking history of the Tuscan region with new pages.

The majestic 12th century fortress overlooks the surrounding vineyards, a prelude to a place rich in charm and history, where the ideal conditions exist for the maximum expression of Sangiovese, a great interpreter of the territory.

The vast variety of exposures and soils, galestro, clays and Pliocene sands, give CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2020 infinite nuances. A versatility of notes that evolve over time and that make you want to continually discover, savor and remember. The altitude around 300 meters above sea level, the south-west exposure to benefit from the warm afternoon sun and the well-drained and heterogeneous soils , rich in galestro, clay, calcium and Pliocene sands, give life to a Brunello di Montalcino that stands out for its personality, elegance and longevity .

And if CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino tells the story of Tenuta CastelGiocondo in all its nuances, Ripe al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, the Tenuta’s cru, is characterized by its personality and extraordinary longevity, the result of a scrupulous manual selection that begins in the vineyard and continues in the cellar with the selection of each grape. Right on the highest hills of Tenuta CastelGiocondo, where wines were already being produced in 1800, a small Sangiovese vineyard has been identified. Its altitude of 450 meters, exposure to the warm afternoon sun, the marly soils and the healthy Mediterranean winds give this Brunello reserve extreme elegance, personality and longevity.

Harvest after harvest, the two wines tell and develop the history of the Estate, always presenting new and authentic expressions of the spirit of Montalcino.

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG CastelGiocondo 2020

The 2020 vintage began with rather limited rainfall in the winter months, offset by the restoration of water reserves in the last months of 2019, which made it possible to face the highest temperatures of the summer period from June to August. The beginning of flowering was recorded in the second half of May, with a then regular course favored by an ideal climate consisting of hot, dry and slightly windy days. The absence of rain even during the harvest period allowed us to complete an accurate harvest, with healthy and ripe grapes and an excellent organoleptic profile .

After manual harvesting, the grapes were subjected to careful selection. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, at a controlled temperature, with frequent pumping over especially in the early stages. The wine was then aged in wood, until it reached complete balance and harmony, to be released onto the market 5 years after the harvest following further rest in the bottle.

The 2020 harvest of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG CastelGiocondo confirms the elegance and complexity that distinguish it. In the glass it presents an intense and brilliant ruby red color, with a bouquet that opens with floral notes followed by fruity sensations that recall small red and black fruits. Tertiary and spicy hints follow, such as licorice, nutmeg, green tea leaves and coffee beans. The tannic texture is elegant and dense, the minerality envelops the palate and impresses with its harmony, accompanying a long and persistent finish .

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva Ripe al Convento 2019

The 2019 harvest saw a cold and fairly dry winter and a rainy spring during the flowering period, with a slowdown in fruit set and a natural lowering of the plants’ production load. The summer was dry and with little rainfall, but the water reserve created by the rains in May led to excellent ripening of the grapes, with cool nights ideal for the development of aromas and color. The north wind of mid-September led to a drop in temperatures and determined a cool, breezy but sunny season, particularly favorable for Sangiovese, which was able to complete its ripening by accumulating great aromatic and polyphenolic potential. The grapes arrived at the time of the harvest healthy, intact and with the right concentration .

After an initial careful selection in the vineyard during the harvest, the grapes were subjected to further scrupulous control in the cellar, with manual selection of each grape. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature with frequent pumping over especially during the early stages, to obtain a good extraction of the colouring and structural components. The subsequent period of maturation in wood allowed for excellent stability and an increase in aromatic and structural complexity. Ripe al Convento is released onto the market in the sixth year following the harvest and only after further refinement in the bottle.

Ripe al Convento 2019 expresses itself in the glass with a splendid bright ruby red color. On the nose it presents a varied and complex bouquet , which reflects the particularly propitious vintage. The incipit is floral and fruity at the same time, with notes that recall wild rose, violet, currant, blueberry and pomegranate. The spiciness is wonderful with delicate hints that intertwine with

an elegant tertiary. On the palate it is long and persistent , with a dense and well-integrated tannic texture.

Pre-registrations for the third edition of the market exhibition open on March 1st. New for 2025: greater synergies between producers and Horeca and a focus on European markets.

Piacenza Expo looks to the third edition of the Wine Fair , which will be held in the Emilian capital from 22 to 24 November 2025 , and announces the opening of pre-registrations for producers starting from 1 March . Thanks also to the success of the 2024 event, which saw over 200 exhibitors and 10% of visitors over the three days, Piacenza Expo confirms its commitment to creating a reference event for the sector, with a consolidated format – that of the market exhibition , with the final day aimed in particular at B2B – born in Piacenza and increasingly in tune with the requests of the sector. Companies wishing to take part in the event can submit their request on the website www.fieradeivini.it and take advantage of one of the distinctive features of the Fiera dei Vini in the national and international panorama: the choice to set a maximum number of exhibitors , an aspect that since the debut guarantees the optimal valorization of each participant and an ideal exhibition size. The services dedicated to winemakers represent a further added value, such as a precise and timely digitalized communication system, efficient logistical support and a more than well-established practical organization, with immediate technical assistance and an agile supply of ice to the stands. ​“Our event is increasingly characterized by the presence of a highly selected audience of enthusiasts but also restaurateurs, wine merchants and sommeliers, driven by a strong interest in direct purchases but also in the quality of interactions – explains Sergio Copelli , General Coordinator of Piacenza Expo –. The strategic position of the fair, close to regions with high spending potential such as Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Liguria, has always made it an event of particular interest for companies that choose to be present. In a complex situation like the current one, Fiera dei Vini represents the immediate and useful tool for winemakers dealing with changes in the sector. The sections dedicated to organic wine will be implemented, a growing market that according to the forecasts of the consulting firm InsightAce Analytic will be worth twenty-five billion dollars by 2030, and to wine tourism in collaboration with the regional Wine and Flavours Routes, placing the importance of the territory at the centre”. ​For 2025, Fiera dei Vini di Piacenza Expo aims to further strengthen its role as a strategic showcase for the wine sector. Among the new features, the Monday day will be strengthened , creating more opportunities for producers and the Horeca channel to meet with ad hoc activities and content, and targeted actions will be implemented aimed at foreign distributors , with a focus on European markets, to promote international relations of the participating companies. Piacenza, Fiera dei Vini in brief ​​When: Saturday 22, Sunday 23 and Monday 24 November 2025 Where: Piacenza Expo Opening hours to the public: Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 to 19.30 – Monday from 10.00 to 16.30 Entrance: 25.00 euros including a glass for tastings. Reduced 15.00 euros for agreements with industry associations. Minors do not pay admission and cannot do tastings Parking: free Useful information: 1000 trolleys available for purchases; discounts for visitors for entry to city museums

The historic Menhir Salento winery announces a new phase in its evolution: Menhir Marangelli is born.

A change of name that is not just a formal step, but the sign of a natural and conscious growth, deeply linked to the territory of Terra d’Otranto and the vision of its founder, Gaetano Marangelli .

A new name, a new logo. In place of the historic shield , today the dandelion appears, a spontaneous plant that perfectly represents the company’s philosophy: resilience, regeneration and the ability to expand in time and space. A sign of freedom and connection with nature, with roots firmly planted in the territory and seeds destined to fly far away, carrying with them the value of authenticity.

From the cellar to the Masseria: a project of wine tourism and hospitality

Menhir Marangelli’s production continues in the modern cellar in Bagnolo del Salento , inaugurated nine years ago, where the labels that have made the cellar known throughout the world are born. But the big news is the recent opening of Masseria Marangelli , a place that represents the new beating heart of the company’s hospitality.

Located in the countryside of Palmariggi , Masseria Marangelli is the result of an important project to restore a historic farmhouse, surrounded by vineyards, Mediterranean scrub and the precious Orto-Vineto . This space is designed to offer an authentic wine tourism experience, where wine becomes the protagonist of a story that intertwines history, landscape and culture.

Masseria Marangelli is the place of Hospitality and Wine-Experience , designed to welcome enthusiasts and travellers eager to immerse themselves in the wine culture of Terra d’Otranto. Here, visitors can participate in guided tastings, walks in the vineyards, sensory experiences in the Mediterranean scrub and itineraries dedicated to the discovery of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.

To enrich the experience there is also Origano , the Menhir group’s osteria. The Masseria Marangelli’s vegetable garden is its special pantry: the main raw materials come from here, following the natural rhythm of the seasons and guaranteeing always fresh and genuine ingredients. Origano is a place where traditional Apulian cuisine meets a contemporary vision, with dishes that enhance local and seasonal raw materials. The culinary philosophy is simple and refined: fresh ingredients, carefully selected, and a proposal that enhances the bond between land and cuisine.

Gaetano Marangelli: “Taking care of the land and investing in authenticity”

“Our work is more than a job: it is an act of care towards the land and an investment in authenticity . We wanted to give a new identity to our company without losing the bond with our roots, but rather strengthening it. The name Menhir Marangelli represents not only our history, but also our future: a company that produces wine with awareness, respecting the territory and offering experiences capable of telling its deepest essence” – Gaetano Marangelli , founder of Menhir Marangelli.

With this new path, Menhir Marangelli not only changes its name, but strengthens its mission: to produce wines that are an authentic expression of the territory, to welcome those who wish to discover and share it, and to trace a path in which innovation and tradition merge into a single vision.

COSTARIPA’S ROSAMARA REWRITE THE PRINCIPLES OF ROSE’.

February 14 marks a new chapter for RosaMara di Costaripa , one of the most refined expressions of Italian rosé . A wine that, with its iconic blush pink color and its unmistakable stylistic signature, represents the manifesto of Mattia Vezzola’s pioneering approach : a rosé with structure, depth and longevity , capable of going well beyond the conventional idea of an aperitif rosé.

The release of the new 2024 vintage of RosaMara is part of a larger project carried out by Mattia Vezzola in recent years: that of redesigning the role of rosé in the great Italian winemaking tradition. Not an ephemeral wine, but a noble and transversal typology, suitable to accompany the entire meal and able to challenge time thanks to a careful selection of grapes, meticulous vinification and an aging that enhances its elegance and complexity.

RosaMara is born in the heart of Valtènesi, on the Brescia shore of Lake Garda, from a blend of Groppello Gentile (50%), Marzemino (30%), Sangiovese (10%) and Barbera (10%). The grapes come from vineyards with an average age of over 25 years, grown on gravelly morainic soils with clay, a terroir that gives the wine finesse and freshness. The harvest is strictly manual, carried out at first light in the morning to preserve the aromatic integrity of the bunches. The vinification follows the traditional “teardrop” technique, extracting only the purest and noblest part of the grape. This is accompanied by fermentation in small white oak barrels, which gives the wine greater texture and complexity, without overpowering its freshness and expressive delicacy. RosaMara, with the aim of acquiring extraordinary longevity, evolving gracefully for up to 3-4 years without bending its character in the slightest.

While rosés have traditionally been confined to young and immediate consumption, Costaripa breaks the mold with a wine that can defy time, following a principle similar to great wines: a careful selection of grapes , careful vinification and a long refinement that amplifies its aromatic depth. This approach has allowed Costaripa to establish itself as a point of reference for the rebirth of Italian rosé, demonstrating that this type can also reach levels of absolute excellence. RosaMara, with its refinement and expressive breadth, is the result of a philosophy that enhances the raw material and the identity of the terroir, combining tradition and innovation to create a rosé that can surprise and seduce over time.

Mattia Vezzola, through RosaMara, carries forward an unconventional and refined vision, capable of competing, thanks to its own identity, with the best Rosés .

“Today more than ever we want to dispel the prejudices linked to Italian rosés and show their potential. RosaMara is the symbol of this journey: an elegant, long-lived wine, capable of crossing time and surprising with every sip,” says Vezzola . RosaMara 2024 is ready to tell a new page in this story. A rosé that is not just a wine, but a declaration of style, a hymn to quality and timeless elegance.