Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Good morning,
Wine Idea presents the main news from the world of wine, wineries, oenology, and wine tourism in Italy and abroad.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Trentodoc grows: five new wineries and 74 member companies
The Trentodoc family expands with the addition of Ert1050, Die Felsen, Moncalisse, Rechof, and Roeno , bringing the number of wineries associated with the Trentodoc Institute to 74. The new producers come from diverse backgrounds and regions of Trentino, but they share the goal of enhancing the relationship between wine, the environment, and territorial identity.
The growth comes at a positive time for the denomination: the fifth edition of the Trentodoc Festival recorded around 12,000 attendees and almost 170 events , while annual production reaches around 12.2 million bottles.
Asolo Montello launches the “Enoteca Diffusa”
The Asolo Montello Wine Protection Consortium presented Enoteca Diffusa – Asolo Montello Wine Experience Network , a project that connects wineries, restaurants, wine shops, accommodation facilities, and tourism and cultural operators.
The goal is to transform the food, wine, and landscape heritage into a coordinated system of experiences, encouraging itinerant tastings and increasing visitor retention.
The largest Italian wine companies represent over 64% of the sector
According to data from the UIV Observatory referring to 2025, 120 wine companies – 80 private and 40 cooperatives – represent 64.3% of the sector’s turnover .
Overall, they generate just over €9 billion in revenue , with exports totaling €5.2 billion and sales on the Italian market totaling €3.8 billion. However, the data shows a decline compared to 2024 and confirms a challenging phase for the sector.
ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY
2026 Harvest: Heat and Early Harvest Change Viticulture
The climate is one of the main protagonists of the 2026 harvest. In Val di Cornia , after a particularly hot summer, the harvest was brought forward by about ten days.
The August rains helped rebalance the ripening process, especially for Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, resulting in grapes that were considered overall balanced.
The phenomenon affects many other Italian regions. In Franciacorta, some harvests began as early as July, while in several areas, the early harvest was accompanied by reduced yields. The climate issue is therefore becoming increasingly crucial to future vineyard management.
Veneto Wine Region: From Prosecco’s 30,000 hectares to smaller denominations
Veneto has one of the most complex winemaking systems in Italy, with 14 DOCGs, 29 DOCs and 10 IGTs .
Prosecco DOC covers almost 30,000 hectares, while Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG covers 8,665 hectares and Asolo Prosecco DOCG 2,469. Among the DOCs, Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie, Valpolicella, and Soave also stand out.
The significant difference in size between the denominations reopens the debate on the ability of smaller DOCs to sustain adequate commercial and promotional investments.
Abruzzo: fresher, more territorial, and contemporary wines
The style of a significant portion of Abruzzo’s production is changing. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is increasingly interpreted through freshness, balance, and a clear understanding of its terroir, reducing concentration, alcohol, and the pronounced use of wood.
At the same time, interest in Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is growing, supported by the demand for more dynamic and immediate wines.
Trentino: not just Trentodoc
The Classic Method remains one of the main drivers of the Trentino winemaking image, but interest in mountain whites, local reds, native vines and international varieties is also growing.
The tastings in the new guides describe an increasingly diverse region, where large cooperatives, historic wineries, and small winemakers contribute to the diversification of the offering.
Cinque Terre: Drones and Precision Agriculture in Heroic Vineyards
The Hero-Vine project brings drones and precision agriculture technologies to the terraced vineyards of the Cinque Terre.
The devices can be used for remote sensing, plant health monitoring, soil analysis, and targeted pest control, fertilization, and biostimulation. This experiment is particularly interesting for areas where traditional mechanization is difficult.
Puglian grapes: exports are growing, but prices at source remain low.
Puglia concentrates over 53% of the Italian surface area dedicated to table grapes , with approximately 25,000 hectares.
Despite growing exports, producers report prices at source around €0.30-€0.40/kg , while in distribution the product can be offered on promotion for around €0.99/kg. This gap brings the issue of the profitability of the agricultural supply chain back to the forefront.
MARKETS, EXPORTS AND INTERNATIONAL SCENARIOS
Italian wine: The United Kingdom remains a strategic market
In the first half of 2026, Italian wine exports to the United Kingdom reached approximately 345.5 million euros .
The British market remains the third-largest global destination for Italian wine after the United States and Germany. Italy is also the leading supplier by volume and second by value.
In London, the Italian sector is also a protagonist with Simply Italian Great Wines , an initiative dedicated to the promotion and internationalization of wineries.
Bulk wine: global trade down, seeking new markets
In the twelve months between April 2025 and March 2026, world bulk wine exports are expected to decrease by 10.3% in volume and 11.8% in value , with an average price close to 0.78 euros/litre.
In this scenario, new markets, white and varietal wines, bag-in-box, no/low alcohol and new logistics and supply models gain importance.
The theme will be at the heart of the World Bulk Wine Exhibition , scheduled to take place in Amsterdam on 30 November and 1 December 2026.
Barolo and Taurasi: value also depends on positioning
A comparison published by Wine-Searcher highlights the strong difference in international commercial presence between Barolo and Taurasi.
The database analyzed shows 14,477 offers of Barolo compared to 731 of Taurasi , with global average prices of 136 and 71 dollars respectively.
The comparison does not directly measure quality, but highlights how distribution, awareness, and continuity of market presence can impact the perceived value of a denomination.
European Parliament and wine: BECA draft approved by the Commission
The European Parliament’s Health Committee approved on 28 September the draft implementation of the European Beating Cancer Plan .
According to the Italian Wine Union, the text maintains the distinction between alcohol consumption and “harmful” consumption, does not introduce the concept of “no safe level,” and recognizes the wine sector’s progress in providing information on ingredients, nutritional values, and digital labeling.
The draft should now continue its parliamentary process.
GUIDES, AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Gambero Rosso 2027: 49 Three Glasses Awards for Veneto
The 2027 Italian Wine Guide awards 49 Tre Bicchieri to Veneto wines , 31 of which are from Verona.
13 Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG wines stand out, while Valdobbiadene and Soave each receive seven awards.
Winemag 2027: J. Hofstätter Winery of the Year
The 2027 Winemag Guide names J. Hofstätter as Italian Winery of the Year and Cesarini Sforza’s Trento DOC Aquila Reale Riserva 2015 as Italian Wine of the Year.
Cantina del Taburno is named a breakthrough winery, while Valentina Cubi receives recognition for its organic winery.
Slow Wine 2027: 168 new wineries
The seventeenth edition of Slow Wine introduces 168 companies not present in the previous edition , joining the 247 Snails, 173 Bottles and 56 Coins already announced.
DoctorWine 2027: The pinnacle of Italian production selected
DoctorWine’s Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2027 has published the wines that have achieved the highest recognitions in its selection, with 40 wines rated 98/100 and 11 wines between 99 and 100/100 .
Cembra: 92 Falstaff points for Ororosso
Ororosso Trento Riserva DOC Pas Dosé 2020 from Cembra Cantina di Montagna has obtained 92 Falstaff points , confirming the international attention towards Trentino Classic Method sparkling wines.
WINE TOURISM AND WINE-RELATED EVENTS
Lugana Festival: debuting in Sirmione from October 16th to 19th
Sirmione will host the first edition of the Lugana Festival , four days dedicated to the denomination with tastings, masterclasses, gastronomy, and music.
Among the initiatives is the Lugana Express , a shuttle that will connect the center of Sirmione to the local wineries.
Open Cellars for Harvest until October 25th
Open Cellars during Harvest continues throughout Italy, an initiative by the Wine Tourism Movement that transforms the harvest period into a wine tourism experience.
The companies offer visits, activities in the vineyard and cellar, and experiences dedicated to families, young people, and international tourists.
Sicily: Seven stops for “Autumn in the Cellar”
From October 3rd to 25th, “Autumn in the Cellar” returns, a project promoted by IRVO.
Seven wineries will accompany visitors through different Sicilian regions, from Vittoria to Etna, from the Nebrodi to the Madonie mountains, all the way to western Sicily.
Only Wine 2027 opens the selections
From 24 to 26 April 2027 , Only Wine , a trade fair dedicated to young producers and small wineries, will return to Città di Castello.
Selections are now open to identify over 100 Italian and international companies with strong local identity and a capacity for innovation.
Wines of Italy 2027: preview in Asti
On October 1st, Asti will host the preview of the Gambero Rosso 2027 Italian Wine Guide, while the official presentation is scheduled in Rome on October 25th.
Particular attention will be paid to the new generations of producers and the state of Piedmontese wine.
WINE, TERRITORY AND CULTURE
Montalcino under the international spotlight
The wedding between Damiano David and Dove Cameron , celebrated in Montalcino, has once again brought the Tuscan region to the attention of the international media.
Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino accompanied the events, along with hospitality, fashion, and Italian gastronomy, once again demonstrating the potential of wine as a means of promoting the region.
Treviso: Wine and Culture at the Comic Book Festival
The Cecchetto Giorgio Winery awarded the 2026 Cecchetto Prize to illustrator Isotta Santinelli as part of the Treviso Comic Book Festival, an example of collaboration between winemaking and contemporary culture.
Venice intensifies controls on low-priced spritzes
The Venice Local Police are intensifying checks at establishments offering Spritz at particularly low prices, checking for any substitutions of the declared liqueurs with other products.
The issue concerns above all transparency towards the consumer, correct identification of products and protection of brands .
THE PICTURE OF THE DAY
The news of September 29th shows an Italian wine sector undergoing significant transformation.
On the one hand , climate change, declining consumption, pressure on exports, and profitability challenges are emerging. On the other, new opportunities are growing related to wine tourism, technology, the Classic Method, territorial positioning, new formats, and international markets .
The common thread appears increasingly evident: producing good wine is no longer enough .
Identity, distribution, commercial capacity, brand recognition, consumer experience, and international market presence are key factors in creating value.
Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT.
See you tomorrow.