Italy’s Premier Food and Wine Authority Unveils Its 39th Edition of its Annual Vini D’Italia Guide, Proving Italian Wine has Never Been More Exciting, Vibrant, and Diverse
ROME, Italy – Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading food and wine media company, has released the 39th edition of its acclaimed Vini d’Italia guide. Available in Italian, English, German, Chinese, and Japanese, the 2026 guide showcases an unprecedented level of diversity, demonstrating that Italian wine has never been more exciting.
“We are not just presenting a guide, but a message: wine is about encounters, curiosity, and culture,” says Lorenzo Ruggeri, Gambero Rosso’s Editor-in-Chief. “It is part of Italy’s robust wine culture and renewed enthusiasm. Quality Italian wine is in good health, as the tastings demonstrate: there is an increasing demand for independent models, which are the fruit of research, knowledge, and innovation.”
This year’s guide marks the first time that the wines of Emilia have been distinguished from those of Romagna, reflecting the differing terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking styles of these distinctive northern Italian regions. This year also saw the introduction of a new category, Young Producers of the Year, which was strongly supported by Banca di Asti, which has created an important credit program for agricultural and wine businesses.
The 2026 edition features comprehensive reviews of approximately 2,300 finalists from around 40,000 samples across Italy to find the best bottles. Following additional tasting, 508 wines achieved the distinction of “Tre Bicchieri” (three glasses) designation. Only one wine per winery is given this top honor. The official presentation of the wines took place at Rome’s Convention Center La Nuvola in the Italian capital on October 12, 2025.
Additionally, for the first time, the 2026 guide recognizes a Biferno Rosso (a blend of Montepulciano and Aglianico) from Molise, a Ribona from Marche, and a Cirò Bianco from Calabria with the prestigious “Tre Bicchieri” rating. This is an important development, both for the recognition of these highly regional wines and for these often overlooked regions themselves.
Following last year’s introduction, the 2026 guide also features a section on “Vini Rari” (rare wines), dedicated to the best wines produced in quantities of no more than 3,000 bottles. In the case of one wine listed, a Grenache from Marche, annual production is just 300 bottles.
The full list of Tre Bicchieri 2026 winners by region:
Piedmont
Tuscany
Lazio
Puglia
Campania
Lombardy
Marche
Emilia-Romagna
UmbriaBrda in Slovenia
Molise
Trentino
Sardinia
Alto Adige
Calabria
Basilicata
Abruzzo
Liguri
The 2026 guide’s Special Awards recipients include 13 winners:
- Young Producers of the Year: Davide Zoppi and Giuseppe Luciano Aieta – Cà du Ferrà
- Award for Sustainable Viticulture: Antonelli – San Marco
- Red Wine of the Year: Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Giodo
- White Wine of the Year: Roero Arneis Renesio Incisa Riserva 2020 – Monchiero Carbone
- Sparkling Wine of the Year: Franciacorta Brut Nature 2021 – Bosio
- Rosé Wine of the Year: Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Baldovino 2024 – Tenuta I Fauri
- Sweet Wine of the Year: Lina Passito 2023 – Santa Barbara
- Solidarity Project Award: Nino Caravaglio
- Emerging Winery: Torre Zambra
- Best Value for Money: Cirò Bianco Mare Chiaro 2024 – Ippolito
- Winemaker of the Year: Francesco Carfagna – Altura
- Cooperative Winery of the Year: La Guardiense – Janare
- Winery of the Year: ABFV Italy – Alejandro Bulgheroni Family Vineyards
To view the complete list of Tre Bicchieri 2026 winners, visit: https://www.gamberorossointernational.com/news/vini-ditalia-2026-guide-the-13-special-awards-assigned-by-gambero-rosso/
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About Gambero Rosso
Gambero Rosso® is Italy’s publishing and training leader in the field of wine and food, known primarily in the U.S. for its renowned annual Guide to Italian Wines (Vini d’Italia). It is the only multimedia company in the sector that offers magazines, books, guides, a website, smartphone applications, and a television channel – Sky 412. Since 1987, Gambero Rosso has represented Italian-made food and wine, testing and certifying the quality of products and telling the stories behind the flavors and traditions of the Bel Paese. In Italy, Gambero Rosso offers Città del Gusto® training courses in five cities. Gambero Rosso has developed a rich, worldwide network of partnerships with prestigious culinary institutes to promote authentic Italian culinary traditions and products.
