wine news, Italian cellars and wines.
Italian wineries
Cantina Settecani closed 2024-25 with revenues of €6.7 million (up 9%). Growth driven by bottled wine and the domestic market (up 10%), with exports accounting for 30% of its revenues in 33 countries. This is a clear signal: when large-scale retail trade is booming and bottled wine is well-served, even a “historic” cooperative can accelerate its growth.
Montefiascone, grape prices falling: winemakers at the end of their tether. Significant reductions in deliveries (focus on Est! Est!! Est!!!), putting pressure on the supply chain. Hot topic: the “driving” role of cooperatives and the economic sustainability of winegrowers.
Mack & Schühle Italia acquires 75% of Vinicola Antonio Divella. This acquisition will bring the grape/bulk wine processing operations to a vertical level (facilities, storage, and industrial synergies). This represents a sign of consolidation and control of the supply chain in Puglia, with a multi-year growth plan starting in 2026.
Adriano Marco and Vittorio: identity, family, exports. Story of a “vertical” business (only own grapes) and generational/managerial transition: internal export manager, continuity and identity positioning.
Gianni Tessari’s “time capsule” (to be opened in 2050) A symbolic gesture that well expresses the mood of the sector: after a complex 2025, value today also comes from memory, method and long-term vision.
The 2026 Guido Tarlati Award goes to the Ferragamo family: Il Borro. Recognition for a model where hospitality, local area, and sustainability drive reputation (and demand).
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Etna: Carricante and Etna Bianco are growing (the numbers speak for themselves) . The appellation is expanding (areas, bottled wine, and production base). Etna confirms its trajectory: territorial identity, rarity, and altitude equal market appeal.
Alcohol-free wines: Decree approved, freight market expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2028. This regulatory step opens up operations on a par with other EU countries. This category should be viewed not as a fad, but as a new shelf: an opportunity for those with brands and channels.
Piedmont: €6.2 million for vineyard renovation (405 hectares). A concrete incentive for modernization and competitiveness: higher-performance systems, quality, and profitability. The real challenge is aligning agronomic investment and commercial strategy.
Masi, Ca’ Rugate, and Zeni featured in the Go Wine guide. Awards and mentions for hospitality, production, and wine museums: “serious” wine tourism continues to be an asset, not a side dish.
International
What will the wine market look like in 2026? Bloomberg Trends forecasts : bubbles remain strong, growth low/no, Gen Z more present (at least in the US), white and casual wines on the rise. Climate and geopolitical volatility remain the “metronome” of choice.
Why 2026 will be the year of Lambrusco (according to Bloomberg) Revaluation underway: from stereotypical wine to interesting and sought-after category, especially if linked to territory, style, quality and consistent positioning.
Consorzio Vino Chianti flies to Nigeria (Lagos, January 27, 2026) First time in Africa with 13 companies and masterclasses: an “emerging market” move with a focus on trade protection and training.
August 2025: What happened in wine (Winemag.it) Useful snapshot: harvest underway, market slowdown, complex weather pattern. A reminder: agricultural operations are accelerating, while sales often slow down.
Wine events
Agri-aperitifs in the Euganean Hills: Cà Vendalis (January 10–11) A “slow and authentic” winter format: artisanal wine and local products. An example of rural hospitality that focuses on the quality of the experience.
XVI National Truffle Dog Gathering – Canale (11 January) A highly attractive local event: culture, nature and tradition as a promotional platform (also useful for wine when it fits well with the gastronomic supply chain).
OPEN VINEYARDS 2026 – Wine Tourism Movement The “vineyard” season begins again: itineraries, sensory tastings, biodiversity, and sustainability explained in the field. Winners here are those who transform the flow into contacts and sales, not likes.
La Morra Barolo arrives in Venice. An educational and sensory journey through the crus: an excellent example of “value education” outside the region, where the denomination makes itself understood (and desired).
Focus on policy and agriculture (indirect impact on wine)
EU/CAP: Lollobrigida speaks of €10 billion for Italy and a halt to cuts between 2028 and 2034. Key topic: resources and stability for future agricultural investments (worth following, because practical translation is worth more than headlines).
Fertilizers: EU moves to suspend CBAM effects on fertilizers (Italian request) If confirmed/operational, it would reduce costs and complexity on agricultural inputs: potential impact also on viticulture (margins, planning).
Più Impresa 2025 (ISMEA): incentives for young people and women. Subsidized financing of up to €1.5 million for takeovers or expansions: a useful tool for generational transitions and growth plans (pay attention to timing, digital signature, and chronological order).
Consumption & Culture (Reading Between the Lines)
Dry January: What happens to the body and mind without alcohol for 30 days? A now global cultural trend: for wine, it’s a signal of a change of tone (moderation, functionality, low/no) rather than an “enemy.” Those who know how to position themselves well don’t suffer.
Altroconsumo: Ranking of the most popular supermarkets and discount stores. Helpful reminder: shopping remains “trusted” and local; online has little impact. For many wineries, the battle is over shelves and modern channels, not just communication.
Editorial closure (QUIDQUID)
You’re not looking for a listing. You’re looking for a transaction. Valuable wineries, agricultural businesses, and mineral water sources are driven by industrial, financial, or strategic vision—not by market noise. QUIDQUID works with confidential selection, process management, and a genuine fit between the asset and the buyer.
Contact : e.zago@quidquid.eu – Cell. 39 349 8142125
Thanks for listening, we remind you that today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .
See you tomorrow.