From Kerner to Garda DOC: Susannah’s 2025 Wine Highlights, Trends

When a respected Italian wine voice kicks off the year with gratitude, ambition, and a smart spotlight on what’s next, I’m listening. Susannah (Avvinare) shared her 2025 highlights—teaching, brand ambassadorship, multi-media projects, and deep study—and it reads like a field guide to where Italian wine culture is heading. She opens with a simple wish: “Happy New Year/Buon Anno.” — Susannah

Beyond the toast, there’s substance. Kerner from Alto Adige, Garda DOC’s new low-alcohol classification, and a reaffirmation of Italy’s cooperative backbone all sit at the center of her year. Toss in the ITA Table Talks series and a renewed push to master Burgundy’s brain-bending terroir, and you’ve got a wine lover’s syllabus for 2026.

Style Snapshot: Kerner and Garda DOC

Susannah’s brand ambassadorship hit two meaningful notes—variety and structure: elevating a lesser-known grape (Kerner) and spotlighting a modern, expansive DOC (Garda).

• Kerner (grape variety): An aromatic white born from crossing Riesling and Schiava/Trollinger, Kerner thrives in Alto Adige. Commonly dry, bright, and medium-bodied, it leans alpine—think citrus, orchard fruit, and mountain herb vibes. It’s the kind of wine that can make a snow day feel like spring. As Susannah put it, “I represented Cantina di Bolzano at a number of events online.” — Susannah That’s a quality co-op with serious cool-climate chops.
• Garda DOC (region): Centered around Lake Garda, this umbrella DOC spans multiple denominations (including Lugana). The newsy piece? “This dynamic consortium has also just launched their first low alcohol wine classification.” — Susannah Lighter ABV doesn’t mean light on character—done right, it’s a clean, modern style that syncs with what younger drinkers (and weekday palates) want.

Best occasion: Casual weeknight dinners, sunny weekend lunches, or a low-key New Year catch-up with friends.

Best pairing direction: Go bright and crisp—Kerner with sushi, ceviche, or fresh goat cheese; Garda DOC whites (including Lugana’s Turbiana-based wines) with grilled fish, vegetable antipasti, and anything that loves a squeeze of lemon.

Context: Co-ops, Classroom Energy, and Burgundy Brainwork

Italy’s cooperative wineries aren’t just safety nets; many are engines of quality and regional identity. Cantina di Bolzano is a prime example—bringing together growers to focus on site, elevation, and transparent varietal expression. For Alto Adige whites like Kerner, that co-op structure delivers consistency with character.

On the Garda side, the breadth is the point. Garda DOC lets producers flex across styles while anchoring identity to the lake’s climate and soils. Lugana’s reputation for fresh, sometimes age-worthy whites fits neatly with Susannah’s focus on clarity and accessibility—especially as she notes a tilt toward low-alcohol options. That’s not just trend-chasing; it’s listening to the market without compromising regional DNA.

The teaching segment hits a cultural chord. Susannah led a class at City Tech (CUNY) and connected Italian wines to Gen Z curiosity. That matters. Younger drinkers value transparency, lighter styles, and authenticity over swagger. Bringing them into Italy’s twenty-region kaleidoscope—via ITA Table Talks, pairing sessions, and approachable storytelling—is how you build sustainable wine culture, not just sales.

And then Burgundy. The Wine Scholar Guild’s Master of Burgundy program is famously dense. Diving back into study mode underlines a truth many pros know: the more you learn, the more you realize how much nuance still lives between the lines. Burgundy’s mosaic of climats, limestone, and microclimate isn’t just academic flex—it’s a blueprint for reading terroir anywhere.

What This Means For Your Glass

If you skimmed Susannah’s post, here’s the through line: expect more focus on graceful, precise whites (Kerner; Lugana), cooperative-driven quality, and stylistic choices aligned with modern drinking habits (like lower alcohol). That’s not hype—it’s helpful direction for what to buy, how to serve it, and who will love it.

For those of us who split time between beach runs and book clubs, these are wines that play well in real life. Chill them properly, pour generously, pair simply, repeat. If you want to dig deeper, follow the co-ops. They’re often where regional clarity and fair pricing intersect.

Closing Takeaway

Susannah’s 2025 highlight reel lands with humility and momentum—multi-media projects, thoughtful ambassadorships, classrooms buzzing, and a determined return to study. It’s a blueprint for a great wine year: learn, share, and keep it deliciously real. I’ll toast that—preferably with something alpine-fresh and lake-bright.

Source: https://avvinare.com/2026/01/01/happy-new-year-buon-anno-2025-highlights/