Slow Wine Fair 2025: the best wines tasted, according to Gambero Rosso

The numbers leave no room for doubt, and we, who attended the three-day event in Bologna, are convinced: the Slow Wine Fair is one of the most successful wine events in Italy. Now in its fourth edition, it has fully established itself. There were 15,000 visitors over the three days, 300 international buyers from 20 countries worldwide—a 20% increase compared to last year. A total of 1,050 wineries were present (from Italy and 29 other countries), alongside 250 companies from Sana Food, the big new addition for 2025.

Beyond the tasting counters, there were countless B2B meetings, 17 masterclasses, and a total of around 100 organised debates and events. Now, the focus is already on the fifth edition, scheduled for 22–24 February 2026.

The 13 best wines tasted at Slow Wine Fair

Of the many wines we sampled during the event, we have selected 13 labels that combine excellent organoleptic qualities with unique characteristics of typicity and authenticity. In short, these are wines that faithfully reflect what nature offers each year, for better or worse.

Valle d'Aosta

Valle d'Aosta Nebbiolo 2022 - Rosset Terroir
12 hectares, 50,000 bottles, all focused on high-altitude winemaking. The Rosset family produces wines of great character, shaped by the Alpine climate, like this 2022 Nebbiolo. Red fruit stands out on the nose, while the palate is incredibly fresh, with delicate, well-integrated tannins and a distinctly savoury finish. A highly drinkable wine that truly expresses its terroir.

Liguria

Dolceacqua Sup. Roja 2023 - Roberto Rondelli
Few hectares, few bottles, but immense character in Roberto Rondelli's wines. The Roja is a Dolceacqua Superiore from a small plot of old vines cultivated as bush vines. It offers a superb entry on the palate—rich and creamy—followed by textbook acidity and deeply satisfying savouriness. Truly an outstanding wine.

Lombardy

Valtellina Superiore Rino 2021 - Pizzo Coca
A mere two hectares of vineyards make up this small yet remarkable winery worth keeping an eye on. Their production is rooted in deep respect for the surrounding nature, and their wines genuinely reflect the soils of Valtellina and the ever-changing climate. The Rino 2021, from a particularly favourable vintage, is exquisite. Notes of dried leaves, red fruit, and earthy tones precede a sip of great finesse—light, flavourful, and deeply complex.

Trentino-Alto Adige

Pinot Noir 2019 - Elisabetta Dalzocchio
Mention Elisabetta Dalzocchio, and Pinot Noir, Rovereto, and Vallagarina immediately come to mind. This is a tiny estate—just two hectares of vineyards and an equal amount of woodland. Only two wines are produced: a standard vintage and a Riserva. We tasted an excellent 2019, full of small red fruit notes like raspberries and redcurrants, with a fresh yet enveloping palate. A small yet brilliant masterpiece.

Emilia-Romagna

Colli Romagna Centrale Trebbiano V. Cavaliere Bianco 2024 - Tenuta Casali
It would be wonderful if Trebbiano from Romagna regained the prestige it deserves, as certain areas of the region produce truly exceptional results. Cavaliere Bianco is a great example of the variety. Sourced from a single, historic vineyard, it offers aromas of white fruit, citrus, almonds, and aromatic herbs. The palate is fresh and flavourful, with well-balanced acidity and a deep, satisfying finish.

Tuscany

Bolgheri Rosso 2023 - Michele Satta
Exactly what we expect from a young, vibrant Bolgheri Rosso. Giacomo Satta, now at the helm of the family estate, has a clear vision for his wines, and this is evident across his range. The 2023 vintage bursts with red fruit aromas, alongside hints of rose and spices. The palate is bright with acidity, well-integrated with the wine’s body, leading to a savoury finish. The tannins are soft and ripe, and the length is impressive.

Marche

Verdicchio di Matelica 2024 - Collestefano
We have tasted and appreciated Collestefano’s Verdicchio di Matelica many times before, but the 2024 vintage immediately struck us as outstanding. It is true to its varietal character, showcasing all the elegance and finesse that Matelica is known for. Sharp yet balanced acidity, well-integrated savouriness, depth, length, and complexity—this wine has it all.

Abruzzo

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2021 - Cantina Wilma
This tiny Abruzzese winery impressed us across its entire range, but the Montepulciano stood out the most. It is broad, enveloping, and creamy, with fine, soft tannins and a well-structured body. The acidity and savouriness create a perfect balance, leading to a clean, lingering finish.

Lazio

La Sciantosa 2022 - Cantina Le Macchie
Located in one of Lazio’s highest-altitude vineyard areas, in Rieti province, Cantina Le Macchie produces captivating wines from both traditional and international grape varieties, which seem to thrive here. We were particularly surprised by La Sciantosa 2022, a white wine made from Malvasia grapes that undergo prolonged skin contact. This maceration is evident in both the colour (without reaching orange hues) and the nose and palate. Aromas of candied fruit, sweet spices, and dried flowers precede a sip bursting with freshness. The tannic structure is perfectly balanced with the wine’s body, avoiding bitterness or astringency. A truly well-executed wine.

Campania

Falerno del Massico Bianco 2021 - La Masseria di Sessa
Four years on, La Masseria di Sessa’s Falerno del Massico Bianco continues to astonish. This small yet fascinating winery in Caserta province has crafted a wine whose colour remains a luminous straw yellow with golden highlights. The nose features notes of yellow fruit, white flowers, fresh almonds, and aromatic herbs. The acidity is still vibrant, yet perfectly integrated. No harshness—just a smooth, savoury, and deep wine that showcases the elegance of southern Italy’s great whites.

Puglia

Est Rosa 2024 - Petraventosa
Southern Italy’s rosé wines that we truly love—authentic and full of character. These wines don’t try to mimic those from across the Alps but rather express the warmth and grape varieties of their homeland. This one is made from 85% Primitivo, with the rest being Aglianico. A deep pink hue, it offers aromas of small red fruits, lightly dried roses, and spices. The palate is flavourful, with soft tannins and lively freshness, accentuated by a beautiful maritime savouriness.

Calabria

Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva 2021 - Vigneti Vumbaca
A true preview—so much so that the bottle we tasted is still "in the process of becoming" a Cirò Riserva. Yet, even at this stage, its aromatic and flavour profile is already well-defined. The nose is complex and precise, featuring red fruit, spices, floral notes, and hints of blood orange. On the palate, the warmth of southern Italy is evident, but so too is the quality of the Gaglioppo grape and the great Cirò terroir. Already exceptional, this wine will only improve with time.

Sardinia

Delissia 2024 - Marco Canneddu
A white wine from a land known for its reds. In Mamoiada, Marco Canneddu is clear about what his wines should express—freshness, drinkability, and elegance. His reds embody this, and so does this white, made from the traditional Granazza grape. Aromas of quince, candied lemon peel, ginger, and anise lead to a savoury palate with great texture and structure. The mountain freshness balances everything beautifully, offering both drinkability and depth.