Category: South

Destinations, Europe, Events, Italy, Italy, South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Cirò Had a Moment. On Judging Rosé at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

I’ve called Italy home for 27 years, but for three days in late March I was there representing the Philippines — judging rosé wines in a small Calabrian town that had quietly become one of the most talked-about addresses in the wine world. Cirò doesn’t need much introduction, at least not to anyone who cares about wine history. Population modest. Winemaking tradition enormous, stretching back … Continue reading Cirò Had a Moment. On Judging Rosé at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

Rowena Dumlao
Center, Events, Italian Wine Labels, Italy, South, Wine Labels, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

From Vineyard to Olympic Stage: Crognolo and Anthium Among Italy’s Olympic Wines

On the occasion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, taking place from 6 to 22 February, Casa Italia becomes a showcase of Italian excellence that extends beyond sport into the realm of culture, craftsmanship, and wine. Among the 26 labels selected for the official wine list, curated to embody the prestige and diversity of Made in Italy, two wines stand out for their … Continue reading From Vineyard to Olympic Stage: Crognolo and Anthium Among Italy’s Olympic Wines

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Tenuta Loffredo: Terraced Vineyards and Volcanic Wines of Campi Flegrei

When Castrese Loffredo, owner of Tenuta Loffredo, parked the car and gestured toward the highest point of the terraced hillside, our destination for the tasting, the prospect felt daunting. After a long day spent sampling the current vintage of wines from across sun-drenched Campania, the climb seemed like a final test of endurance. Yet what initially appeared challenging soon revealed itself as a necessary and … Continue reading Tenuta Loffredo: Terraced Vineyards and Volcanic Wines of Campi Flegrei

Rowena Dumlao
Center, Events, Italy, North, South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Vini delle Coste: Wines Shaped by Earth, Sea, and Story

“Unity is strength.” That phrase perfectly captured the spirit of Vini delle Coste, which took place on March 30–31, 2025, at the Real Collegio di Lucca. The event brought together more than 80 winemakers from across Italy and welcomed over 1,200 visitors, including industry professionals, wine lovers, and international journalists. Created and organized by Alessandra Guidi and produced by Event Service, this debut edition emphasized … Continue reading Vini delle Coste: Wines Shaped by Earth, Sea, and Story

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Cantina Mossa: Sardinia’s Cannonau Wine Redefined Through Marble Aging

While Sardinia’s coastal wines and beaches command global attention, the island’s untamed interior beats to the rhythm of Cannonau, a red grape synonymous with Sardinia’s soul. In the Baronia region, near the historic town of Irgoli, Cantina Mossa weaves this heritage into every bottle, marrying ancient traditions with boundary-pushing experimentation. Its defining innovation? Marble vats carved from Irgoli’s quarries, which cradle Cannonau as it ages, … Continue reading Cantina Mossa: Sardinia’s Cannonau Wine Redefined Through Marble Aging

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Joaquin Winery: Boldly Reinventing Irpinia’s Taurasi and Fiano

Amid the untamed, rugged expanse of Irpinia, a rugged highland realm cradled by the Apennine mountains in Italy’s Campania, Joaquin Winery rises as a defiant homage to tradition and audacity. Joaquin Winery is a boutique estate that marries ancient vines with a daring winemaking vision. It was conceived in 1999 by Raffaele Pagano, a fourth-generation winemaker who broke away from his family’s high-volume winery to … Continue reading Joaquin Winery: Boldly Reinventing Irpinia’s Taurasi and Fiano

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Tenuta del Meriggio: The Essence of Irpinia in the Bottle

Surrounded by Irpinia’s rugged hills and time-honored vineyards, Tenuta del Meriggio is crafting some of the most distinctive wines in the region. Founded in 2010 by Bruno Pizza (pictured with his wife, Nunzia) and supported by their daughter, Emilia, this estate isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about creating wines that truly reflect the land, the climate, and the dedication behind every harvest. With a strong focus … Continue reading Tenuta del Meriggio: The Essence of Irpinia in the Bottle

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Cantine Palazzo Marchesale: The Heritage of Asprinio from Married Grape Vines

During the flourishing Bourbon Kingdom, when Italy was still a geographical concept, the lush Aversa countryside became renowned for its ancient tradition of cultivating vite maritata (married vines or tree-trained vines). In the early 19th century, the Benfidi and Vanacore families of Brianza adopted this unique method, producing Asprinio wine, a true expression of the region’s winemaking heritage. These vines, trained to climb poplar trees … Continue reading Cantine Palazzo Marchesale: The Heritage of Asprinio from Married Grape Vines

Rowena Dumlao
Events, Italy, South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Rocca del Principe: Two Decades of a Family’s Journey with Fiano di Avellino

The Zarrella family’s deep ties to viticulture span generations, though not always at a commercial level. While previous generations focused on local production, it was the determination of Ercole Zarrella that revived the family’s wine legacy, steering it toward refined, high-quality viticulture. With a respect for the environment, a focus on micro-areas, and innovative projects, including a new label developed by Ercole’s daughter Simona, the … Continue reading Rocca del Principe: Two Decades of a Family’s Journey with Fiano di Avellino

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Salaparuta DOC: A Small Sicilian Denomination Crafting Wines That Belong in Your Glass

The Salaparuta DOC is a small, lesser-known denomination in Sicily, often overshadowed by the island’s renowned wine denominations, such as the volcanic wines of Etna. Located in the easternmost part of Trapani province, it covers the municipality of Salaparuta and the rolling hills of the Belìce Valley. Salaparuta DOC wines stand out for their vibrant acidity, which gives both whites and reds a crisp, fresh … Continue reading Salaparuta DOC: A Small Sicilian Denomination Crafting Wines That Belong in Your Glass

Rowena Dumlao
Events, Italy, South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Beviamoci Sud 2024: A Showcase of Southern Italian Wines in Rome

The sixth edition of Beviamoci Sud Roma, the premier event dedicated to promoting and showcasing the wines of Southern Italy, will be held from December 7th to 9th, 2024, at Hotel Palatino in Rome, just steps from the Colosseum. Organized by Riserva Grande and Andrea Petrini (wine blogger at Percorsi di Vino), with the technical expertise of journalist and gastronome Luciano Pignataro, the event caters … Continue reading Beviamoci Sud 2024: A Showcase of Southern Italian Wines in Rome

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Villa Raiano: A Focus on Irpinia’s Native Wines and Distinctive Terroir

Villa Raiano, set amidst the rolling hills of Irpinia in Campania, is a family-owned winery celebrated for its commitment to organic practices and the unique terroir of southern Italy. Surrounded by lush vineyards and chestnut forests, the winery sits atop a scenic hill in San Michele di Serino, offering panoramic views of the Sabato River Valley. Dedicated to producing wines from Campania’s native grapes, Villa … Continue reading Villa Raiano: A Focus on Irpinia’s Native Wines and Distinctive Terroir

Rowena Dumlao
Center, Events, Italy, North, South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

L’Italia del Pinot Nero 2024: A Varied Mosaic of Terroir in Italy with Pinot Noir

The 2024 inaugural edition of L’Italia del Pinot Nero, a prestigious event celebrating Italy’s diverse expressions of Pinot Noir, concluded with great success in Rome. Held on October 27 and 28 at the Belstay Hotel, the event was organized by the wine journal Vinodabere, attracting around 600 industry professionals, from restaurateurs and wine merchants to journalists and sommeliers. This gathering brought together 39 wineries from … Continue reading L’Italia del Pinot Nero 2024: A Varied Mosaic of Terroir in Italy with Pinot Noir

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Alberata dell’Asprinio of Aversa: The Centuries-Old Italian Curtains of Grapevines in Campania

The Asprinio vineyards boast old, mostly ungrafted vines with sturdy trunks and ancient, gnarled shoots at the bottom and tall lush green curtains of foliage that weave through elms and poplars, reaching up to fifteen meters high. Harvesting these grapes is a unique endeavor, necessitating specialists skilled in climbing to reach the lofty clusters. I call them curtains of grapevines. You might agree too because … Continue reading Alberata dell’Asprinio of Aversa: The Centuries-Old Italian Curtains of Grapevines in Campania

Rowena Dumlao
South, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Of Ancient Tradition and Borboun Kings, Why the Wines of Caserta are Special

Caserta, located in northwestern Campania, is not just a destination for architectural marvels like the Royal Palace of Caserta. It’s also a haven for wine enthusiasts, boasting a rich tapestry of wine varieties that reflect the region’s diverse terroir and centuries-old winemaking tradition. The wines that come out from Caserta’s heterogeneity are vibrant and distinctive from spirited to robust reds with excellent aging potential to … Continue reading Of Ancient Tradition and Borboun Kings, Why the Wines of Caserta are Special

Rowena Dumlao