Panettone, sparkling wines, baked sweets, traditional specialties, but also tastings, dinners, events and authentic experiences.

There are so many opportunities to make Christmas special . And more and more people are choosing this type of proposal to leave under the tree .

The Strada del Vino e dei Sapori del Trentino , which brings together over 300 members including food and wine producers, restaurants, farmhouses, B&Bs and accommodation facilities, has collected a very useful list on its website, tastetrentino.it/NataleConGusto2024 , which makes it truly impossible to run out of ideas.

Conveniently divided into categories , they range from the more classic baskets and gift packages to the more contemporary coupons, vouchers and gift cards, such as those for gourmet dinners or the fun “Adopt a cow” by Apt Valsugana, which allows you to virtually adopt a cow and then collect its cheeses in the summer.

But also events and taste experiences, as well as the Christmas and New Year’s menus of a selection of restaurants, such as Hosteria Toblino, Osteria Ca’ dei Giosi, Innesti Restaurant, Locanda Margon, Ristorante Boivin, Scrigno del Duomo or Ristorante La Casina.

A section is then linked to the increasingly popular “Wellness at Christmas” opportunities at the Grand Hotel Terme di Comano, which offers relaxing or more active weekends, combined with skiing in the Pinzolo-Campiglio-Folgarida-Marilleva ski area, but also weekends dedicated to post-holiday detox, including massages, spas and forest bathing.

Among the gift boxes, often customizable, you can find a variety of products: from infusions, syrups, liqueurs and spirits by A. Folletto di Ledro, to oil, wine or food products by Agraria di Riva del Garda, from honey and bee products by Apicoltura Trentina Valli di Cavedine to sweet and savoury jarred delights by Ca’ dei Baghi or Biodebiasi, up to the sweets by Pasticceria Marzadri, Panificio Moderno and Panificio Pasticceria Tecchiolli, the products of Molino Pellegrini, the meats and cured meats by Macelleria Zanotelli or Salumeria Belli and the cheeses by Azienda Agricola La Quadra di Drena, Casearia Monti Trentini, Caseificio Sociale di Sabbionara or Crucolo.

And then wine: Teroldego Rotaliano, Marzemino, Müller Thurgau, Nosiola or Trento DOC, in a virtual journey through the different production areas of Trentino. It goes from the city and the surroundings of the capital with Cantina Sociale di Trento, Cantina di La-Vis, Ferrari Trento and Maso Martis, to Piana Rotaliana, where you can find the products of Azienda Agricola Andrea Martinelli, Azienda Agricola Donati Marco, Cantina Rotaliana di Mezzolombardo. If you are looking for products from Vallagarina there are baskets and packages from Azienda Agricola Balter, Azienda Agricola Biologica, Biovegan Vallarom, Azienda Agricola Vignali Varas, Cantina d’Isera, Cantina Mori Colli Zugna, Revì Trentodoc and Vivallis, while Val di Cembra is presided over by Cembra mountain winery, Tenuta Gottardi and Villa Corniole. Also represented are the Faedo area with Pojer & Sandri and the Giudicare with Azienda Agricola Filanda de Boron. There is no shortage of grappa, such as those from Distilleria Bertagnolli or Distilleria Marzadro.

Among the upcoming events to be noted, instead, on Thursday 12 December the Ristorante La Brace in Rovereto organizes Jazz Lab & More Xmassong 4tet sings Monica Giorgetti , while on Friday 13 December the Aperitif of Santa Lucia will take place at the Osteria 33 in Terragnolo and on Sunday 15 December the Aperitif of Christmas will take place at the Cantina di La Vis. Furthermore, until December 15, the Pasticceria Marzari in Vigolo Vattaro invites the public to The rediscovery of ancient fruits. Until December 23 there is also Christmas at the Castello di Avio , while on December 28 Innesti Restaurant in Pergine Valsugana offers Sabato=brunch .

On Saturday, December 14, from 10:45 to 19:00, Palazzo Giureconsulti will host the reference event of Italian organic. Hosted by Patrizio Roversi and Tessa Gelisio, the Festa del BIO will discuss the importance of food choices for safeguarding the health of people and ecosystems, with a focus on the organic Mediterranean diet.

The day will offer a rich program that alternates talks, tastings, games, workshops and the show cooking “All the colors of environmentally friendly cuisine” with chef Simone Salvini.

An invitation to discover the value of organic, because when we choose a food we also choose how it is grown. Food plays a fundamental role in protecting health, biodiversity and in combating climate change. Hence the importance of promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles and diets, favoring a diet based on organic food, with a reduced intake of meat, attentive to seasonality, proximity of production and the containment of food waste. It is therefore essential to correctly inform citizens and promote food education initiatives, starting from school canteens.

The importance of sustainable and conscious food choices will guide the seventh edition of the Festa del BIO, scheduled for Saturday 14 December at Palazzo Giureconsulti, in Piazza Mercanti 2 in the heart of Milan, a free event open to all.

Organized by FederBio, with the participation of Legambiente, Slow Food Italia, AssoBio, Lipu, WWF Italia, ISDE, NaturaSì and Crédit Agricole, the Milan stage of the Festa del BIO will aim to reaffirm the centrality of organic as a development model for the entire agri-food system, underlining its fundamental role in safeguarding the planet and ensuring a better future for new generations.

Researchers, journalists and experts will explain how organic food, together with waste reduction, contributes to reducing environmental impact and improving the quality of life. Organic agronomic practices are, in fact, able to preserve soil fertility and biodiversity and, furthermore, thanks to their greater capacity to absorb CO2, they also represent a valid ally in mitigating climate effects.

To promote the adoption of healthy and sustainable eating styles, the Festa del BIO will alternate moments of study and fun for the whole family with talks, tastings, contests, workshops and show cooking to discover the beauty and goodness of organic. There will also be a market exhibition with spaces dedicated to organic producers Made in Italy.

“Food choices are a powerful tool for protecting people’s health and natural habitats, which is why we believe it is essential to raise citizens’ awareness of the value of the food they bring to the table – underlines Maria Grazia Mammuccini , President of FederBio – The Festa del BIO is an opportunity to introduce, in a fun way, the world of organic as a sustainable lifestyle. It is an event designed to share knowledge, experiences and flavors, demonstrating that respect for ecosystems and biodiversity requires everyone’s contribution. Organic agronomic practices not only improve health, soil fertility and biodiversity but also represent a concrete response to climate change. It is therefore essential to encourage the agroecological transition and at the same time promote the consumption of organic foods, creating a food culture that respects the environment. With the Festa del BIO we want to inspire families, young people and communities to become protagonists of a positive change, in harmony with the planet through the adoption of sustainable and balanced nutritional styles”.

The Festival will begin at 10.45 with the inaugural event “ From the field to the table: organic as a conscious choice to protect the planet ”. The meeting will explore the value of food as a tool to generate positive impacts, protect well-being and reduce environmental impact, charting the path towards a more sustainable future, with a focus on the importance of introducing food education in schools to promote sustainable and balanced nutritional styles in new generations. Speakers will include: Dario Nardella, Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development – European Parliament; Maria Chiara Gadda , Vice-President of the Committee on Agriculture – Chamber of Deputies; Maria Grazia Mammuccini , President of FederBio ; Ettore Prandini, President of Coldiretti, and Barbara Nappini, President of Slow Food Italy. Stefano Ciafani , President of Legambiente, Nicoletta Maffini , President of AssoBio and Stefano Caserini , Professor of Climate Change Mitigation at the Polytechnic University of Milan, will also make a significant contribution.

The preliminary results of the IMOD ( Italian Mediterranean Organic Diet) research will then be presented with the campaign “ Il Bio dentro di Noi ”, promoted by FederBio, AssoBio and Consorzio Il Biologico. The analysis, conducted by the Department of Biomedicine of the University of Tor Vergata as part of the “MOOD” project of the Ministry of Health, compared the impact and benefits of the traditional Mediterranean diet and the 100% organic one, highlighting how the latter offers superior benefits for the health of people and the environment. Various parameters were evaluated: the nutritional quality of the usual diet compared to the 100% organic Mediterranean diet, the Mediterranean adequacy index, the environmental impact (water and CO2 consumption), the intestinal microbiota, body composition and the metabolome.

History, founding values and distribution are the themes of the wine labs dedicated to wine lovers and operators at Rule of Thirds in Brooklyn on January 12 and 13.

Over 200 labels at the tasting tables.

Two days of tastings, meetings and moments of reflection on natural wine: on Sunday 12 and Monday 13 January 2025, Rule of Thirds in Brooklyn (New York) will host VinNatur NYC , the first official collective event in the United States. The Association, which brings together winemakers from all over the world with the aim of defending the integrity of their territory, respecting its history and culture and drawing inspiration from a strong ecological ethic, has been equipped with a production protocol since 2016 that outlines the activities permitted in the vineyard and in the cellar.

A rich calendar of tastings and insights into the quality, variety and production practices of natural wines will enrich the tasting tables that will feature over 200 labels. On Sunday 12 January at 2:30 pm Gianpaolo Giacobbo – winewriter and VinNatur advisor – will lead the tasting Evolution of natural wine in Italy , dedicated to the historical and stylistic evolution of natural wine in Italy and the tasting of three iconic labels from as many producers. On Monday 13 January at 11:30 am the meeting The who, when & why of VinNatur will be held, in which President Angiolino Maule will explore the founding values ​​and the path of the Association. The meeting will be translated by Emma Bentley , Director of VinNatur. In the afternoon, at 2:00 pm, Gianpaolo Giacobbo will lead the provocative session How not to sell natural wine , focused on the challenges related to the distribution and promotion of this type of product.

“This event is certainly a great opportunity for our members to reach an increasingly attentive and passionate audience . New York, with its energy and openness, is the ideal context to tell our philosophy and build meaningful connections – says Angiolino Maule –. We are also seeing how the number of wine shops and wine bars that include natural wines by the glass and on the shelves is growing in the Big Apple”. A trend that contrasts with the slowdown in alcoholic beverage consumption in the United States and that confirms the growing interest in authentic, sustainable and quality products.

The event will feature 44 producers who will offer their wines for tasting, but there will also be room for a selection of labels from 24 other VinNatur members served by expert sommeliers, for a total of over 200 references for tasting. The event will be open to the public and operators on Sunday 12 January from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, while on Monday 13 January , from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, it will be reserved exclusively for industry professionals , including buyers, distributors, journalists and restaurant and wine bar owners. Tickets for the event and masterclasses, with limited places, are available on Eventbrite.

VinNatur NYC at a glance:
When : Sunday 12th and Monday 13th January 2025
Where : Rule of Thirds Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York City
Opening hours to the public : Sunday from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm, Monday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Entrance: Tickets can be purchased online from November
Website: www.vinnatur.org/evento/vinnatur-nyc

Years pass, fashions change, technologies evolve, but wine remains there, firm in its roots, the eternal protagonist of our social lives.

It doesn’t need followers or likes to be the true “social” par excellence. It’s old, yes, but never tired: it continues to excite, unite, make people discuss and socialize like no other human experience.

Sitting down at the table and opening a bottle of good wine is a priceless ritual. Sharing that moment with friends, colleagues or new people, whether for pleasure or work, makes wine a unique dimension of authentic connection. No social network can compare to the magic that is created around a glass: wine is emotion, culture, tradition, territory. It is and will remain the true social.

Wine: Emotion in Every Sip

Every bottle of wine carries a story. It tells of the territory from which it comes, of the passion of those who produced it, of the climate that caressed its grapes. Opening a bottle means discovering a microcosm of emotions: the scent of the must that brings back childhood memories, the unique flavor that awakens the senses, the aromatic notes that invite reflection.

This emotion becomes even more intense when you share it. A toast between friends or a glass sipped with a colleague transforms a simple gesture into an unforgettable moment.

Wine: A Universal Language of Sharing

Wine knows no linguistic or cultural barriers. In every corner of the world, a bottle of wine is synonymous with conviviality and exchange. In Italy, this tradition is particularly deep-rooted: wine is the common thread of family dinners, evenings with friends, and major events. It is present in moments of joy, celebration, and even in the most intimate reflections.

You don’t need a screen to connect: wine invites dialogue, stimulates conversations and creates lasting memories. Drunk in moderation, it becomes the perfect catalyst for experiencing sociality in its most authentic form.

Wine, Culture and Territory: An Italian Story

Every bottle of Italian wine is a piece of culture, a tradition passed down through the generations. Barolo tells the story of the strength of the Piedmont hills, Chianti reveals the elegance of Tuscany, Nero d’Avola speaks of the warmth and passion of Sicily.

This connection with the territory makes Italian wine unique in the world. Every sip brings with it the beauty of the landscapes, the mastery of the winemakers and the love for their land. And this is not just a pleasure for the palate: it is an emotional journey that enriches those who experience it.

Wine: The Social That Never Gets Tired

While social media promises quick and easy connections, wine offers something different: depth. In front of a glass, there is no need for filters or perfect posts. There are only faces, smiles and words that flow spontaneously, just like the wine in the glass.

Wine invites us to slow down, to live in the moment. In a fast-paced world, it reminds us that true connection comes from taking the time to listen, share and live together.

Moderate and Mindful Drinking: The Key to Appreciating Wine

Promoting wine also means educating people about responsible consumption. Drinking in moderation not only protects your health, but enhances the experience. The true pleasure of wine lies in knowing how to taste it: appreciating the bouquet of aromas, savoring every nuance and letting yourself be transported by the emotions it evokes.

Moderation is also a form of respect: for the wine itself, for those who produce it and for those who share it with us. It is a way to celebrate the beauty of life without excess, valuing every moment.

Conclusion: Italian Wine, the Emblem of Social

Whether around a table with friends, during a business dinner or on the occasion of a special event, Italian wine continues to be the true social network of real life. It does not need innovations or algorithms to unite people: a glass, a toast and the magic of a shared moment are enough.

Wine is emotion, tradition, culture and territory. It is the common thread that links generations, territories and stories. And above all, it is the most authentic invitation to live social life with moderation, awareness and a lot of passion.

So, let’s raise our glasses: to Italian wine, to the true social that never tires of exciting!