Villa Franciacorta celebrates a year full of medals and awards demonstrating the value of Franciacorta Millesimato.

Villa Franciacorta celebrates a year of recognition, crowned by the primacy of the RNA Riserva Extra Brut Millesimato 2007 , awarded by Falstaff as the best Franciacorta and, overall , the best Italian sparkling wine with a score of 97/100 . << This milestone is important for the whole of Franciacorta because it demonstrates once again the value of the Denomination . RNA Riserva Nobile Alessandro Bianchi represents the tribute to my father, who never wanted to give his name to a wine, I did it for him. The new edition RNA 15 years on the lees honors the name it bears >>, says Roberta Bianchi , at the helm of the company together with her husband Paolo Pizziol and their sons Alessio and Matteo .

Villa Franciacorta was among the first four companies to introduce the concept of Millesimato back in 1978 and is still the only winery of this size to produce exclusively Millesimato wines using the ancient method of manual remuage, exclusively with grapes from its own production. << For us, Franciacorta is not a flag to wave, but a philosophy >>, adds Roberta. It is precisely this consistency that has allowed the company to crown a year full of awards. The RNA Riserva Extra Brut 2007 also won the Faccino Doctor Wine with 95/100 in the Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2025 , the Grande Esordio 2025 in the Oro guide I Vini di Veronelli , the Corona di Vini Buoni d’Italia with its inclusion in the Top 300 wines , the gold medal from The Wine Hunter and the Quattro Viti recognition with ” Gemma ” from Vitae 2025 , awarded to wines that obtained a score higher than 94/100 and the 5 Sfere Sparkle 2025 with the special ” Wine of Emotion ” award. << With RNA, a great terroir takes voice that expresses the uniqueness of this soil of marine origin, all the strength of the old vines, the preciousness of the hillside Crus and the value of time>>, concludes Roberta.

The success extends to the entire Franciacorta Villa range: gold medals at the International Wine Challenge 2024 for Mon Satèn 2019 and Bokè Rosé Brut 2019 , while Extra Blu Extra Brut 2019 obtained the 5 Grappoli Bibenda 2025 and the 5 Sfere Sparkle 2025, which it shares with Cuvette Brut 2019. Emozione Brut 2020 , the company’s historic Franciacorta, also won the gold medal at The Champagne & Sparkling Wine . A special mention also goes to Bokè Rosé Brut 2020 , awarded the Three Gold Stars by the I Vini di Veronelli 2025 guide, and to Emozione Unica Extra Brut 2017 which, like Extra Blu Extra Brut 2019 , obtained the gold medal from The Wine Hunter . The Falstaff guide further awarded the collection, assigning 94/100 to Emozione Brut 2019 , 93/100 to Mon Satèn 2018 , 92/100 to Bokè Rosé Brut 2019 and Extra Blu Extra Brut 2019 , confirming once again the very high level of the entire production.

<< 2024 was a year of great satisfaction, the most important in the history of our company >>, commented Paolo Pizziol. These successes are the fruit of a corporate philosophy that focuses on respect for nature and its times , with particular attention to the environment and the enhancement of the family’s winemaking heritage. << We want to start again now with renewed enthusiasm towards new challenges, continuing to interpret Franciacorta according to our vision, made of patience and respect for nature >>, concluded Roberta Bianchi.

Seven wines, a gin and a panettone to challenge friends and relatives under the tree.

They say that all the greatest decisions are made at the table, and we at Studio Cru are deeply convinced of this. Taking your opponent by the throat is the first step in a strategy that can lead us straight to victory. Even during Christmas lunch, when our uncles insistently ask for updates on our relationship status and our favorite cousin, knowing full well that he will probably be the next target, has run away. Once lunch is over, however, it is time to start the real battle, where it is possible to take revenge on those who took us by surprise shortly before. Board games and good wine are our perfect weapons to defeat our opponents and win the victory. May the best man win!

Tombola – Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG of Val d’Oca

Tombola is the heart of the Italian Christmas holidays, capable of uniting grandparents and grandchildren around the table, and, of course, the friendly uncle who shouts “ambo!” at the first number drawn. ​Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG di Val d’Oca is the perfect companion for these family evenings. Fresh and elegant, with a fine and persistent perlage, it has a straw yellow color with greenish reflections.

Monopoli – Broy Bianco Collio Doc 2021 by Collavini

The board game par excellence, it has entertained families all over the world for almost a century. For a great classic like Monopoly, the ideal pairing is an equally important and timeless wine like Broy di Collavini. Straw yellow in color with green reflections, Broy presents itself to the nose with intense notes of ripe tropical fruit, acacia honey, orange peel and yellow flowers.

Cluedo – Cà del Magro Custoza Superiore DOC of Monte del Frà

Mystery, strategy and a touch of elegance: in every Cluedo investigation, attention to detail is essential. The perfect wine to sip while you’re at it is Cà del Magro Custoza Superiore DOC di Monte del Frà. An elegant and versatile white that, like a good detective, reveals itself little by little, keeping the players on tenterhooks.

Dixit – Deìvaì Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOP 2023 by Cantina Tollo

A journey into fantasy through surreal and poetic illustrations: Dixit is the game that transforms each card into a story to be told, inviting you to explore ever new perspectives. To accompany the dreamlike atmosphere of a game of Dixit, the ideal pairing is Deìvaì Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Dop 2023, created by Cantina Tollo to pay homage to the ancient land of the Samnites and regional history.

Trivial Pursuit – Stùne Ottavianello Ostuni DOC of Amalberga

For those who love to discover new things, the charm of Trivial Pursuit is irresistible: a journey through questions of culture, history and curiosities that stimulate the mind and ignite the desire to know. To satisfy this thirst for knowledge, there is nothing better than a glass of Stùne Ottavianello Ostuni DOC di Amalberga, a wine that invites you to rediscover a territory and a denomination forgotten over time, revealing a new and contemporary soul of the White City.

Burraco – Buco del Prete Romagna DOC Sangiovese from Ronchi di Castelluccio

The perfect companion for a long night of Burraco, Buco del Prete Romagna DOC by Ronchi di Castelluccio reveals itself, card after card, with the same elegance and intensity that a winning strategy requires. This Sangiovese has its roots in the rugged territory of Modigliana, which is reflected in the glass in notes of berries and spices intertwined in a balanced and enveloping structure.

Risk – Cadgal Moscato d’Asti DOCG Lumine

What would Christmas be without a healthy dose of diplomacy (or rather, a ruthless strategy) around the Risk map? To face the eternal battle between continents we propose a special ally: Lumine Moscato d’Asti DOCG by Cadgal. Fresh and fragrant, a triumph of aromatic notes ranging from acacia to ripe peach, up to green apple and apricot, enriched with hints of sage and rosemary.

Taboo – Gin 7 Laghi di Pisoni

Complicity, intuition and a pinch of speed: Taboo is the game in which words count, but also silences and knowing glances. For an evening of laughter and understanding, the perfect match is Pisoni’s Gin 7 Laghi , an artisanal distillate that contains in its aromas the same freshness and vivacity that you breathe during a game of Taboo. Made with the London Dry method, Gin 7 Laghi stands out for its fresh and balsamic character.

An innovative line of products designed for those who cannot or do not want to drink alcohol, but also for the simply curious. The branding project created with the SID of Padua.

The new SEEP brand is coming to the market. Just grapes , a line of quality non-alcoholic drinks with a pleasant, contemporary and fun profile, the result of the total dealcoholization of 100% Italian wine and grape must .

Among the core values ​​of the project are sensitivity and inclusiveness towards those who, for temporary or permanent needs, must reduce or avoid the intake of alcoholic beverages. The reasons can be many: diets, specific pathologies, pregnancies, cultural and religious reasons (it is certified Halal), sports, professional or responsibility reasons (vehicle drivers). But SEEP. Just grapes is also dedicated to all those who are curious about the growing market of No-Low alcohol , in particular Millennials and Gen Z , who are also attracted by the aesthetics and the fresh and captivating colors that distinguish the brand.

The SEEP. Just grapes project was born from a personal purpose of its creators, Gianni Tagliapietra and Alessia Zanin , sommeliers, gourmands and owners of the company Hungrycircle srl of Breganze (Vicenza) specialized in the innovation of consumer products and design.

“For some years we have been pursuing with ever greater conviction the health purpose of reducing alcohol consumption – explains Gianni Tagliapietra –. The substitute drinks we have tasted, however, have not convinced us: too high in calories, sweet and not suitable for experimenting in the kitchen. From a personal need, therefore, we began to study with great curiosity the No-Low alcohol market until we created our selection of drinks with a fresh and pleasant taste that allows us to play with food pairings and maintain the ritual of sharing a bottle”.

The branding project was conceived, created and developed thanks to the collaboration with a team of Gen Z creatives, the students of SID in Padua , supported by the Galileo Visionary District team.

“We chose to work with young designers to dispel together a rigid vision of sobriety, presenting it as a cool , casual but conscious choice,” explains Alessia Zanin . “Zero anxiety, zero hassle” is one of the recurring slogans in our communication, with which we highlight the positive aspects of the choice not to drink alcohol by defining an ironic and cheerful tone of voice. The result is a fresh, playful, colorful brand, in perfect harmony with the Gen Z audience.”

The selection consists of five drinks to be enjoyed chilled: Bolla Bianca Extra Dry , Bolla Rosata Extra Dry , Bianco , Rosato and Rosso Superiore , each with its own personality, to satisfy a cross-section of the public, as well as various sharing opportunities, from aperitifs to pairings with finger food, up to first and second courses.

SEEP. means “to filter” , a direct reference to the reverse osmosis dealcoholization process in which the wine is filtered through membranes to separate it from the alcohol, to which must is then added to rebalance the product. At the same time SEEP. phonetically recalls the word “sip” which means “to sip” . The payoff Just grapes , on the other hand, underlines how these are zero-alcohol drinks, produced entirely and simply from grapes , nothing else.

An important year, 2024, for Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori. The historic Emilian factory reaches a prestigious milestone, celebrating its 210 years of history.

To celebrate this important milestone, the company has produced an exclusive documentary film, entitled CASONI: THE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME, THE FLAVOUR OF THE FUTURE.

Specially created to retrace the main stages of Casoni’s long history and the moments that contributed to making it a reference brand.

The screening was held last Saturday, November 30, 2024 , at 5:30 pm, at Nuovo Cinema Corso in Finale Emilia , a few minutes from the historic site of the distillery. Among the leading actors, Paolo Molinari , CEO Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori, who interfaces with the various characters involved in the filming, and Piergiorgio Pola , Managing Director Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori, as well as various Casoni employees, former employees and historians of the area. A leading role also for Cav. Lav. Mario Casoni , while the direction is by Diego Gavioli.

The documentary film retraces the 210 years of the company’s history through historical testimonies and stories of former employees, starting from the small shop born in the center of the town up to the maximum expansion reached in the 70s-80s-90s, arriving at the current ownership and future vision.

CASONI: THE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME, THE FLAVOUR OF THE FUTURE aims to be a tribute to the history and people who made the Casoni factory great, a story that is inextricably linked with the territory of Finale Emilia.

Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori is an all-Italian company, which has its roots in the magical Emilian territory: a long journey, which began way back in 1814 in a small town in the province of Modena, Finale Emilia , where the Casoni family, generation after generation, has been able to produce liqueurs and spirits that are always in step with the times and in line with the latest trends in a constantly evolving sector, but always faithful to traditional recipes. These are the reasons that have transformed a local, artisanal company into a leading player in the market for the production of liqueurs and spirits, in Italy and around the world.

From then until today, the love for their land of origin, combined with the selection of local raw materials, have been the cornerstones of the company, capable of giving life to authentic spirits and liqueurs, able to satisfy even the most demanding palates.

“The 210 years of the distillery are an important milestone, which we deeply care about” – explains Manuel Greco, Trade Marketing Manager Casoni – “as it is synonymous with the commitment and passion put into practice every day by all those who are and have been part of our history. Each Casoni product is the result of the profound know-how developed in recent years within the beverage sector: a mix of experience and innovation capable of giving life to artisanal and original products, highly appreciated by both mixology professionals and end consumers. The documentary film – continues Greco – is a special opportunity for us to tell and share this legacy. It was conceived to offer the public an authentic look at our history, our roots, the path that led us to be what we are today and our vision of the future. We want to make known the bond we have with the Emilia region and how this passion has translated into liqueurs with a unique and unmistakable character” – concluded the Trade Marketing Manager.