Wine Calendar: Franciacorta in the Cellar, Gustus in Vicenza

In Vicenza, wine becomes an opportunity to discuss climate change, evolving tastes, and aging potential. This is the underlying theme of Gustus – Wines and Flavors of Vicenza, taking place on Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th at the Arrigo Pedrollo Conservatory of Music. The event brings together more than 20 wineries and over 100 labels from the Colli Berici, Vicenza, and Gambellara DOC regions, with a walk-around tasting and two WineLabs dedicated to contemporary winemaking topics. On Saturday, the focus will be on Tai Rosso and the relationship between grape varieties, climate change, and new tastes, with a blind tasting led by Cristian Maitan. On Sunday, Il tempo del Gambellara will guide the public through various vintages to delve into the theme of longevity. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the restoration of Giovanni Vajenti Speranza's fresco, The Crucifixion, housed in the Conservatory.

Over 350 wineries and more than 1,400 wines will be convening at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence on September 20th and 21st for the second edition of èno Florence Wine Excellence, an event that aims to consolidate its position as a meeting place for producers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts. On Sunday, September 20th, the event will also be open to wine lovers, who will be able to meet the wineries directly and choose from 1,400 Italian and international labels for free tasting in the Pavilion of Nations. This is an opportunity to explore different regions, grape varieties, and styles, with the option of combining the tastings with the 11 scheduled masterclasses. Among this year's highlights is a showcase of Armenian wines, in collaboration with the Ararat restaurant. The event's growth is also confirmed by the number of participants: after the debut in 2025, which sold out in just a few months, this second edition sold out in May. On Monday, September 21st, admission will be reserved for industry professionals.

In Morbegno, on September 18th and 19th, the Southern Cloister of the Sant'Antonio Complex will host the Spritz Festival, a prelude to Morbegno in Cantina. The festival will center on the Spritz Valtellina, which brings local wines out of the glass and into cocktails and reinterpretations offered by exhibitors. The program also includes food stands, a guided tasting of the Storico Ribelle – a Slow Food Presidium, and music. The main Morbegno in Cantina event will follow from September 25th to October 11th, with three weekends of tours of the historic wineries in the town center.

From September 17th to 20th, Taormina is dedicating four days to contemporary mixology with the second edition of Taormina Cocktail Week. Seventeen cocktail bars, including hotels, clubs, and restaurants, will participate, with a program that alternates competitions, guest shifts, masterclasses, and special events. This year's theme is Stories from a Book: bartenders reinterpret literary works, transforming characters and atmospheres into cocktails. Among the events, the Taormina Cocktail Competition will bring together 16 bartenders on the terrace of the Grand Hotel San Pietro on Friday, September 18th; and the Closing & Awards at the Mazzarò Sea Palace on Sunday, the 20th, will conclude the event with the announcement of the winner. The program also includes guest shifts and meetings with Italian and international bartenders.

In Spinea (Venice), from September 18th to 20th, Vini al Forte (Wine at the Fort) debuts. This first edition of the event, organized by the Municipality and the Pro Loco (local tourist board), will take place at Forte Sirtori, in the Graspo d'Uva area. The aim is to draw attention to a little-known historic site, including through the region's winemaking heritage. The program offers three days of tastings, conferences, meetings, masterclasses, and guided tours, with activities aimed at children and families, and the involvement of associations, schools, farms, and residents. Fridays are open from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM; Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Also from September 18th to 20th, Vino al Vino returns to Panzano in Chianti. Now in its 31st year, the event brings together producers from the 22 wineries of the Panzano Winemakers' Union in Piazza Bucciarelli, offering over 80 Chianti Classico and IGT labels for tasting and the opportunity to meet the winemakers themselves. The program focuses on the relationship between wine and its terroir and also explores the history of Panzano, where today 95% of the vineyards are certified organic.

A piano among the vineyards, a string quartet, and a concert for harp and string instruments: Villa Sandi in Crocetta del Montello (TV) inaugurates Musica al Tramonto (Music at Sunset) on September 18th, a series of three live concerts set between the 17th-century villa and the vineyards of the Prosecco hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The series will open with Paolo Zanarella, the Pianist Out of Place, followed by a tribute to Ennio Morricone's soundtracks and an evening dedicated to classical repertoire. The series is part of the winery's autumn program, which also includes tours of the 1622 Palladian villa, the underground cellars from the First World War, and tastings.

In Capalbio, in the Maremma region, Monteverro hosts Arte&Vino 2026 until November 2nd, an exhibition curated by Maria Concetta Monaci and organized by the Il Frantoio association. The exhibition features Chiara Rapaccini (RAP), with seven sculptures and three "wine boxes" crafted from recycled wood, reminiscent of the Maremma region. This encounter between art, wine, and the local area continues the winery's commitment to engaging with contemporary creativity.

Two evenings to celebrate Dry Milano's 13th anniversary, on September 20th and 21st at Via Solferino 33. The first, dedicated to international mixology, will bring bartenders from Athens, Istanbul, Lisbon, Namur, Oslo, Prague, Thessaloniki, and Split to the bar. Monday the 21st will pay homage to Milan's hospitality scene, featuring local chefs and bartenders. This double event will focus on the relationship between cuisine, cocktails, and pairings.

365 Italian winemakers, one for each day of the year, share how they are addressing the effects of climate change in their vineyards. Edited by Pierluigi Gorgoni with Fosca Tortorelli, Emanuele Gobbi, and Alessandro Franceschini, the volume "Almanacco degli artigiani del vino – La sfida del clima," recently published by Kleos Press, collects testimonials from organic, biodynamic, and natural producers organized by region and province. At its core is a common question: what is changing in the vineyard, and what strategies are being adopted? The volume also features introductory essays by Salvo Foti, Angiolino Maule, and Marco Casolanetti, seven special wines, a lexicon of artisanal wine, and other supplements.