Report Praised Piero Riccardi, 'Greedless Vintner,' But He Was a Show Author

A controversy is brewing in Italy over the television program "Report," following its broadcast of an investigation into the wine industry. The program, which previously criticized alleged illegal practices and the use of industrial yeasts in winemaking, has drawn fire for praising winemaker Piero Riccardi.

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We have enemies at home, on state TV, who attack our agri-food products.

The issue intensified when it was revealed that Riccardi, whose winery Riccardi Reale was highlighted as a model of natural winemaking, is a former author of "Report" himself. Senator Giorgio Maria Bergesio, agriculture spokesperson for the Lega party, strongly criticized the segment, calling it an "unacceptable commingling" and a "clear conflict of interest" on public broadcasting.

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There are also farmers who give up ancestral greed in the name of respecting nature.

Bergesio argued that after years of critical reporting on Italian wine producers, "Report" is now using its platform to advertise and legitimize the business of one of its former contributors. He pointed out that Riccardi had co-authored 29 investigations for the program and that his partner, Lorella Reale, had also worked on segments related to food and meat.

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We are facing an unacceptable commingling and a clear conflict of interest on the flagship network of public service.

Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of Marchesi Frescobaldi and the Italian Wine Union, recalled the program's previous episodes, stating that "Report" had "thrown mud" on the wine sector. He expressed surprise that the same program, after such criticism, would now promote an ex-colleague's winery, especially after he himself had been interviewed twice and felt he had lowered his guard during the second interview.

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After years of segments aimed at blaming Italian farmers and winemakers, attacking the sustainability and quality of our products, Report uses Rai's showcase to advertise and give 'ethical patents' to the farm of one of its own long-time authors.