Chianti: 9m bottles seized in fraud investigation
The equivalent of over 9m bottles of Chianti Classico has been seized by Italian authorities from top Tuscan estates including Ruffino as part of a fraud inquiry.
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Simply a red: Hucknall launches wine
Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall launched his new Sicilian wine in Rome last week.
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Abramovich eyes Italian property
Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich looks set to add to his global empire by buying a Tuscan wine estate.
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Italy's producers eye the skies with trepidation
What was initially billed at a top quality vintage in Italy is keeping producers on tenterhooks.
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Alto Adige producer converts to glass stoppers
Italian biodynamic producer Rainer Loacker will be converting his entire production to German-made glass stoppers.
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Italian harvest: producers upbeat despite drought fears
With the spectre of drought haunting wine regions across Europe this summer, Italian producers have moved to counter suggestions of a difficult 2005 vintage.
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Piedmont vineyards attacked by disease
A virulent vine disease has broken out in Piedmont causing widespread devastation in some areas and prompting fears that hundreds of hectares of vineyard could be lost.
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Spoleto festival to include top wineries
Spoleto, one of Umbria’s most renowned medieval towns, is opening its gates to 200 wine estates.
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Rolland appointed new Antinori consultant
Michel Rolland has been appointed consultant at Ludovico and Piero Antinori’s Bolgheri estate, Tenuta Campo di Sasso.
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Chianti consorzi to merge
After 18 years of separation Chianti Classico’s two historic wine grower associations are reuniting to form one single consortium under the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico appellation.
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Italian estate first to use glass stopper
The Manincor estate in Lake Caldaro, near Bolzano, will be the first Italian producer to use glass closures on his wines.
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Château Faugères sold
Silvio Denz, a London-based Swiss entrepreneur, has bought St Emilion Château Faugères. The sale was signed on 4 April 2005.
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Antinori plans vast new cellar, HQ, museum
Marchesi Antinori has launched a €40m project to build an ultra modern cellar and headquarters at Bargino in the hills above Florence.
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Great Wine Route: Tuscany
Tuscany is beloved by the tourists in the know, who visit for its great red wines, stunning Renaissance architecture and beautiful countryside. MICHELE SHAH reveals its must-see sites.
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Tuscan truffle to be returned to homeland for burial
The saga of a ruined €42,000 truffle has finally ended with the local Tuscan truffle association pleading for its return so it can be buried in its homeland.
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Chile looks to Tuscan joint ventures
The Chilean government is actively encouraging Tuscan vintners to invest in the country.
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British sculptor's commission unveiled in Chianti
Chianti Classico estate Castello di Ama has just opened its latest commissioned artwork, by acclaimed British sculptor Anish Kapoor.
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Producer Profile: Francesco Ricasoli
Francesco Ricasoli is owner of one of Chianti Classico’s most historic estates. He tells Michèle Shah how he plans to bring his family heritage back on track...
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Feudi di San Gregorio opens new centre
Feudi di San Gregorio, one of Southern Italy’s most progressive estates, has opened a ‘multi-sensorial’ cultural centre.
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Duroux leaves Ornellaia for Palmer
Ornellaia director Thomas Duroux has decided to return to his native Bordeaux to head the third growth Chateau Palmer.
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The Essence of Umbria: Regional Profile
With 13 DOC-designated areas Umbria is a riot of different styles, but modern producers are now establishing a regional identity, finding the best wines to suit their terroir. MICHELE SHAH finds out who is leading the changes
