Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Westin Excelsior in Rome, over 200 prestigious labels available for tasting.
87 labels awarded the coveted “5 Spheres” out of the 936 featured in the guide.
A snapshot of a growing sector moving over one billion bottles annually.
LOMBARDY, TRENTINO, AND VENETO LEAD THE RANKINGS
Everything is ready for the launch of the new edition of the Sparkle Guide, published by the industry magazine Cucina&Vini, featuring the finest expressions of Italian sparkling wine artistry. On Saturday, November 30, the elegant halls of The Westin Excelsior Hotel will host the awards ceremony for Italy’s best dry sparkling wines, which have received the highly sought-after “5 Spheres.” A total of 87 labels were awarded the top score out of the 936 included in the guide.
Lombardy leads the rankings with 33 “5 Spheres,” the majority of which (29) hail from Franciacorta, along with 2 from Oltrepò Pavese. Trentino takes second place with 19 awards, all for Trento DOC. Veneto comes in third with 16 awards, including 13 for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, 2 for Lessini Durello DOC, and 1 for Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG. The remaining awards are distributed as follows: Piedmont (7), Alto Adige (3), Abruzzo (3), Puglia (2), and one award each for Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, Lazio, and Sicily.
“The holiday season is a crucial time for the sparkling wine sector,” states Francesco D’Agostino, Director of Cucina&Vini. “Just consider that during this period alone, 35% of all bottles sold throughout the year are opened. In 2024, we saw a slight decrease in the average bottle price, yet several indicators suggest optimism. The vitality and growth of the sector are confirmed by export figures, which reached €1.297 billion between January and July, marking a 7% increase compared to 2023. Numbers alone cannot fully convey the significant progress made by companies relentlessly pursuing quality.”
Thanks to a highly selective panel of tasters, Cucina&Vini provides unparalleled insight into the trajectory of Italian sparkling wine in recent years.
“We taste over 3,500 samples to select the roughly 900 that make it into the guide,” D’Agostino continues. “This gives us a broad perspective, allowing us to observe changes and uncover new, fascinating developments year after year. Regions that were absent from this sector a decade ago are now experiencing exponential growth in sparkling wine production. We boast products recognized worldwide, and our goal should be to enhance their value by creating spaces for proper communication and distribution.”
The event will kick off in grand style with the presentation of the 23rd edition of the Sparkle Guide and the awarding of the coveted “5 Spheres” at 1:30 PM. Following this, the public will have the opportunity to enjoy an extensive tasting of Italian sparkling wines starting at 4:00 PM. With over 200 of the best dry sparkling wines featured in the guide, attendees can journey through different regions and wineries, making the event one of the most exciting on the Italian food and wine calendar.
Key national and international brands are supporting the event as a platform for communication and promotion. On the technical side, Diam, a leading brand in cork stopper production, has been a sponsor for 12 consecutive years since the event’s inception. On the food side, Antica Pasticceria Muzzi, a historic Umbrian confectionery company specializing in festive and year-round pastries, returns for its fifth year. This year, another notable Italian brand joins SparkleDay: Caffè Toraldo, a historic Neapolitan coffee roaster that has been bringing Neapolitan espresso to the world since 1968.
