With the threat of tariffs on imported wine looming and causing loads of chatter from wine industry folk to main street USA, we here at Vero must admit that we've been on the front lines of the wine world for many years, seeing trends play out in real-time. From online shoppers to restaurant wine lists, our reach is wide, and the stories we've gathered are compelling.

As wine importers with a broad reach across multiple markets and digital platforms, we have an insider’s point of view into all players of the wine industry. We decided to share some of our more recent unfiltered observations on what we see, and what it means for you, the wine enthusiast, including a fascinating divergence between industry publications and actual consumer behavior. Let's have a look at our key observations on wine trends.

In this second part of our Winemaker Interview series, we talked with Vero Producers to understand how they evaluate and taste wine. What do they look for in a good wine, what wines do they like? Take a personal look at how a winemaker uses their palates, and what they prefer to drink in their spare time and out and about.

From sun-drenched harvests that felt like family celebrations to the quiet, everyday moments etched in childhood memories, our interviewees reveal the soul of Italian winemaking. More than just a craft, it's a legacy woven into the very fabric of their lives. Discover the diverse stories of passion, tradition, and innovation that shape the vineyards, from the unique terroirs that nurture exceptional grapes to the intimate, hands-on techniques passed down through generations. Each tale is a testament to the profound connection between family, land, and the art of creating extraordinary wine—a journey you won't want to miss.

From ranch girl in California, to cook in Northern Italy, to sommelier, YouTuber, and wine professional, Vero collaborato Jacqueline Mitchell has had anything but a straight path in life. We recently sat down to hear a bit of her story, from growing up in California to living for over 12 years in Italy. From working as a cook to now being a wine professional. Let’s sit down and talk with part of the Vero team, and womean in wine!

What's the secret to a really good Caponata?

Caponata is a traditional Sicilian vegetarian salad served as an  appetizer which is great for parties and apertivos. Daniela Pulvirenti is from Sicily, and she not only shared her secret for making a great one, but she also gave us her nonna's recipe, which is her go-to dish for when she has friends and family coming over. 

We are lucky to get this authentic family recipe of hers!  Get insights into Sicily from a native and make your own caponata at home.

Cookies are a beloved treat enjoyed by people of all ages and around the world.

In Italy, one of the go-to cookies are Brutti ma Buoni. These Italian cookies, aka biscotti, literally translate to "Ugly but Good." If you see them, to us Americans, they look like an ordinary homemade version of one of our cookies. However, in Italy, where the “bella figura” is “mandatory,” in every sense of the word, even food has to “look good:” there are no exceptions to the rule, not even the humble cookie.

So, when Italians started to make cookies that look like the typical lumps of baked dough that we love so much in America, they started to be called what they literally look like, and, when you think about, they do have an unappetizing look to them… But, boy, are they good!

Get an authentic recipe from a trattoria in Italy inside.

When we taste wines and foods, there is more to it other than just flavors and aromas. There is a subtle, additional dimension which often gets overlooked, which is mouthfeel.

What is mouthfeel? How can we sense it? How is it triggered?

Add a new dimension to your wine and food tasting experiences in this article where we talk about how wine and food feels in our mouths.

Is wine better with a cork?

What effect does cork have on a wine?

What’s the deal with screw caps?  

How can I make the bubbles last longer in my opened bottle of sparkling wine?

Explore the fascinating world of wine closures, everything from traditional natural corks to modern screw caps, how to make the bubbles last longer once you open up a bottle of sparkling wine and more. Find out in this article.

While Champagne may be an iconic choice for a sparkling wine, there's a hidden gem from Italy that offers the same quality, but off the beaten path. The Alta Langa sparkling wine has an incredible underdog story, almost created to prove a point. It’s a story that is as incredible as the flavors of the wine itself. Read more to see how it all intertwines!

“I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”

We think Robert Frost knew a thing or 2 about how to get more enjoyment from a glass of wine... how is that?

By learning all about what’s behind that glass of wine.

Sure, the grapes, the vineyards, and the people that made it.

Go one step beyond to find out really what influenced the wine grower’s decisions when they were making the wine: the history, culture and people who have lived and visited their area. While they may be remnants of the past, they are also influences that are very much alive which have created traditions that, especially small, family producers, embrace and follow.

Help to make every drop of wine count where every sip becomes an experience unto itself.

Unleash your inner foodie with our guide to the best wine and candy pairings. Discover delicious combinations of sweet and savory flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. From classic chocolate bars to fruity gummy candies, we've got you covered. Whether you're hosting a party or simply indulging in a late-night treat, our expert recommendations will help you elevate your wine and candy experience.

Looking for a white wine that has depth and texture beyond the fruitiness? If that’s you then Italian whites is your next wine destination.

In Italy, there are loads of native varieties to explore, made in all sorts of styles from dry to sweet and still to sparkling. When made by winegrowers hyper focused on quality and authenticity, you get a great white wine with amazing balance and complex flavors to exceed the expectations of the most discerning wine drinker.

Discover the world of Italian white wines in this article.

What happens when a white grape gets made like a red wine?

What happens when a red grape gets made like a white wine?

Learn all about wine colors in this article, and explore the wine rainbow!

Discover the benefits of regenerative viticulture and its transformative impact to minimize climate change and restore earth's precious assets. Sustainable farming practices enhance soil health, protect biodiversity, and produce exceptional wines. And from cover crops to biodynamic principles, explore the techniques sustainable winegrowers are using to shape the future of viticulture and agriculture.

Now that harvest is taking over the wine world in the Northern Hemisphere, it's time to brush up on the ABC's of how to make wine.

While it seems like a simple enough process, after all wine was discovered by accident by women in ancient times who discovered that their grapes lying around started to create this juice which made them giggle and feel happy. 

But the 3 million dollar question is: how do you make a GOOD wine?

Meaning, a wine that has an enticing flavor and intriguing complexity that makes you want to take another sip.

Brush up on the basic building blocks of winemaking in this article.

What shapes a vineyard? What decisions and reasoning brings a wine farmer to cut, trim, and train their vines in a certain way? Each method creates a different vineyard profile, unique to the hand that trims, and also affects the quality and profile of a wine. Let’s explore some of the most popular vineyard trellising systems, and discover what drives a farmer to choose a method of grape vine training.

Do you remember biology lab in school when you first dissected a frog, or other animal? It was fascinating to go under the microscope to see in miniature what made up a living body.

Think of this article as a biology class for grape vines. We dissect the vine and the grape into its parts so to help us better understand not only where wine comes from but also what aspects of its anatomy impacts terroir, vintage variation, and ultimately the style and taste of the wine.

Who is not awed by a vineyard. It brings us to a bucolic state, capturing our eye and our emotions which then transport our minds to a happy place.

Ever wonder what goes into creating a vineyard? While grape varietal and winemaking techniques are often at the forefront of wine exploration, the rootstock, the hidden foundation of the vine, plays an important role. In this article we explore the fascinating world of grafting and rootstocks and discover how they influence a vineyard's health, resilience, and ultimately, the very identity of the wines they produce.

Can a wine with a significant amount of sugar taste dry? Can a wine with a lower amount of sugar taste sweet? You bet!

Many wine professionals say that American wine drinkers “talk dry but drink sweet.” What is behind this phenomena? How do winemakers use sugar as a lever in making both dry wines and sweet wines?

Learn about the art & science behind sugar in wine in this article.

Americans’ quest for health and wellness has wine as the target. It’s making sugar in wine a “problem,” which gets in the way of wine lovers achieving their health goals. But, being made from fermented fruit, “poor wine” can’t help from sugar fruit in it. It’s like telling your dog it can’t bark! Is sugar in wine really this evil villain? We break sugar and wine down in this article. Let’s learn all about sugars and wine.