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Wine press review for Friday May 29 -2026

with:

Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Derthona increasingly a protagonist among Piedmontese white wines

Timorasso continues to grow thanks to Walter Massa’s pioneering vision. The Derthona project confirms its position as a benchmark for quality Piedmontese white wines, while the debate now focuses on the development of future subzones.

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie: Yields reduced for the 2026 harvest

The Consorzio DOC delle Venezie is reducing production yields to limit supply and maintain market balance in a context characterized by slowing consumption and struggling exports.

Compagnia del Vino obtains gender equality certification.

The company becomes the first Italian wine distributor to be certified UNI/PdR 125:2022, confirming the sector’s focus on social sustainability and human capital development.

Sardinia takes center stage at the 2026 IWC Vermentino

Five of the eight Gran Medaglia d’Oro awarded by the international competition go to Sardinian producers. The overall best wine was Gabriele Palmas’ Solotredici 2023.

Sardinian Cannonau takes center stage at Grenaches du Monde

Terre di Baquara won the gold medal in the prestigious international competition dedicated to Grenache wines, confirming Sardinia’s leadership in the global Cannonau scene.

Confcooperative: Cooperative wine accounts for over 60% of national production.

The Italian agri-food cooperative system reaches a turnover of 38 billion euros and confirms its central role in the national wine supply chain.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Extra-EU wine exports still declining

In the first quarter of 2026, Italian wine exports outside the European Union fell 11%. The United States fell 20.5%, while Russia, China, Brazil, and Mexico all grew.

Frescobaldi: Beware of Overproduction

The UIV president calls on the sector to be cautious: overproducing risks further depressing prices in an already complex market phase.

Artificial intelligence increasingly present in viticulture

From vineyard management to vine genetics, AI is already an operational reality and represents one of the main tools for addressing sustainability and climate change.

Birds and climate change: the debate begins

Elena Pantaleoni (La Stoppa) offers a reflection on the regulatory limits of volatile acidity in light of new climatic and production conditions.

Pesticides: The EU opens up to drones

The European Council has initiated the regulatory process that will allow drone spraying, with the aim of simplifying agricultural practices and improving operational efficiency.

Grapevine Burns: Increased Attention to Heat Damage

High temperatures pose a growing threat to vineyards. Research identifies new strategies to protect grape bunches and yield quality.

We People Wine: the manifesto for a new wine communication strategy is born.

Producers and communicators are calling for simpler, more inclusive, and more human-friendly language, moving beyond excessive technical jargon.

The new routes of Italian wine

According to Master of Wine Cristina Mercuri, the sector will have to rethink communications, markets, and consumer relations to address ongoing changes.

Natural wine as a cultural phenomenon

In sociologist Davide Sparti’s new book, natural wine is analyzed as an expression of culture, identity, and social identity, as well as an oenological one.

INTERNATIONAL

Fine Italian wines seeking new markets

Alongside the USA, Germany, and the United Kingdom, interest in Asia, Africa, and South America as strategic destinations for great Italian wines is growing.

Piedmont takes center stage at Vinexpo Asia

Thirty-five Piedmontese companies are participating in the Asia-Pacific region’s main wine fair in Hong Kong, strengthening trade ties with eastern markets.

Wines Experience arrives in Vietnam

BolognaFiere brings Italian wine to Ho Chi Minh City with an innovative format dedicated to B2B meetings between producers and international buyers.

Italian exports outside the EU grew in April

Italian exports increased by 11.3%, driven by China, Switzerland, India, and the United States.

WINE EVENTS

Open Cellars 2026 takes center stage throughout Italy

On May 30th and 31st, over 600 wineries will open their doors to visitors with tastings, guided tours, immersive experiences, and wine tourism initiatives.

Friuli Venezia Giulia: 84 stops between wine and territory

The 33rd edition of Cantine Aperte involves 82 wineries and two distilleries with tastings, wine tourism tours, and even hot air balloon flights.

Abruzzo: 52 wineries participating in Cantine Aperte

Thousands of visitors are expected for one of the most important events in regional wine tourism.

Euganean Hills: nature and tastings

Local wineries offer tours, food events, and outdoor activities in the heart of the Regional Park.

Tufaio Winery (Lazio)

A weekend dedicated to tastings, vineyard visits, and exploring the volcanic heritage of the Castelli Romani.

Garda DOC: sustainability at its core

On June 4th, an evening dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and the future of the denomination will take place at the Rocca di Lonato.

Polpenazze del Garda Wine Fair

From May 29th to June 2nd, over 150 wines will be available for tasting and more than 20,000 visitors are expected.

Buttrio Regional Wine Fair

From June 5th to 7th, the historic Friulian event reaches its 93rd edition with tastings, competitions, and the traditional Palio delle Botti.

Midsummer Celebration at Josetta Saffirio

On June 20th in the Langhe, an experience combining wine, contemporary cuisine, and mixology among the rows of vines.

Food and wine tourism: the course begins in Treviso

The free training program for Specialist Technicians in Food and Wine Tourism, a sector that continues to experience sustained growth, is now underway.

Monferrato: The Infernot, a heritage to be discovered

The historic cellars dug into the tuff are increasingly becoming a tourist and cultural attraction.

Trentino: the cellar in the mountains

Moncalisse offers a wine tourism experience also suitable for families, combining architecture, nature, and Trentodoc.

The news of the day

Exports and supply management will be the two strategic themes of summer 2026. On the one hand, the decline in Italian wine sales in the United States (-20.5%), on the other, the decisions of the Consortia (Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Prosecco, and Brunello) to limit production to avoid market imbalances. The sector is gradually shifting from a focus on volume growth to value management.

Press review provided by WINEIDEA.IT .

See you tomorrow with new news from the world of wine.

Wine Trends in Italy – Week of May 25-29 – 2026

with:

This is not an irreversible structural crisis, but a profound transformation of the global market, of consumption, and of the ways in which wine is produced, distributed, and described.
Italian wine is going through one of the most delicate phases of recent years.

The week of May 25-29, 2026, clearly confirms that the sector is entering a new historical phase: more selective, more competitive, and much less predictable than in the past.

Exports: signs of improvement, but the situation remains fragile

The main focus continues to be exports.
Data for the first quarter of 2026 still show a negative situation for Italian wine in non-EU markets, although March showed a slight improvement compared to the first two months of the year.

According to the Italian Wine Union Observatory, non-EU exports of Italian wine closed the quarter at nearly €1 billion, down 11% in value compared to 2025, but improving on the 16% decline recorded in the initial two months.

The main problem remains the American market.
The United States, the world’s leading market for Italian wine, continues to slow down sharply:

Italian wine exports to the US: -20.5% in the first quarter of 2026
Italian sparkling wines in the US: -27% in value
total volumes in the US: -7.2%
Consumer prices increased by 4.3% despite discounts applied by Italian wineries to offset duties

The combined effect of:

American tariffs,
slowdown in consumption,
geopolitical tensions,
excess stock,
increasing logistics costs

is creating strong pressure on the entire supply chain.

However, some interesting signals also emerge.
Italian exports are not currently supported by historic markets, but by emerging and high-potential markets:

China
Brazil
Mexico
Russia

in fact, they show significant increases in demand.

At the same time, Prosecco continues to demonstrate greater resilience than other categories, especially in the premium segment and in the international HoReCa sector.

Italy remains the world leader in wine

Despite the market slowdown, Italy confirms its global manufacturing leadership.

According to the Mediobanca Research Area report:

Italian production 2025: 44.4 million hectoliters
global share: 19.7%
world’s leading exporter by volume
second largest exporter in the world by value after France

The sector continues to represent a strategic asset for Made in Italy, with a trade balance that increased from €2.7 billion in 2005 to €7.2 billion in 2025.

But behind these numbers, some very evident critical issues also emerge.

Turnover, margins and consumption are decreasing

2025 ended with:

turnover of top Italian players: -2.8%
EBITDA: -4.2%
net profit: -7.5%
exports: -3.4%
domestic market: -2.2%

Those who suffer the most are:

small and medium-sized companies,
the most capital intensive structures,
the middle range of the market.

Premium wine is holding up better, while the intermediate segment continues to lose strength.

Even traditional channels are showing difficulties:

Horeca slowing down,
wine shops in decline,
weak online,
wholesalers in contraction.

This confirms a trend that is now evident: the wine market is becoming more selective and less oriented towards large volumes.

Consumption is changing: less quantity, more experience

One of the most important changes concerns consumer behavior.

In recent years:

global wine consumption is decreasing,
attention to well-being is growing,
no-low alcohol increases,
the concept of “drink less but better” is strengthened.

This is also clearly seen in the aperitif phenomenon.

World Aperitivo Day 2026 confirms:

growth of premium aperitifs,
strong development of alcohol-free products,
increase in mixology,
search for lighter and more transversal convivial experiences.

Generation Z is approaching beverages in a completely different way than previous generations:

less traditional ritual,
more sociability,
more experience,
less historical fidelity to wine.

This forces the Italian wine sector to rethink its language, communication, and commercial approach.

Wine tourism: one of the true strategic levers of the future

In this scenario, one central theme emerges forcefully: wine tourism.

Today, Italian wine tourism is already worth over 3 billion euros and, according to many industry analyses, could exceed 5 billion in the coming years if the system is better structured.

The most interesting fact is that:

for many wineries, wine tourism already accounts for more than 20% of their turnover,
the most organised companies record significant increases in margins,
direct sales are growing,
increases customer loyalty.

The real Italian crux, however, remains the ability to create a system.

Many territories:

they communicate little together,
they do not integrate enough hospitality, wine and tourism,
they still have organizational shortcomings,
they are not fully structured on professional reception.

Yet Italy’s potential remains probably the strongest in the world:

unique wine biodiversity,
iconic territories,
gastronomic culture,
authenticity,
globally recognized landscapes.

Today, wine can no longer be just a bottle to sell.
It’s becoming more and more:

experience,
relation,
territory,
cultural identity.

And it is precisely here that many wineries will be able to build their economic future.

Luxury continues to spend

Also interesting is the signal coming from the Costa Smeralda, where wine continues to be seen as an element of status, luxury, and an exclusive experience.

Events like the Porto Cervo Wine & Food Festival show how the high-end segment remains very dynamic, especially in high-spending international tourism.

This confirms an increasingly evident dynamic:

the average market is suffering,
the premium one lasts better,
Super premium continues to grow in some contexts.

Final conclusions

Italian wine is not losing value.
The market is changing.

The model based primarily on volumes, traditional distribution and consolidated consumption today shows clear limitations.

The new phase of the sector requires:

greater selection,
production control,
strengthening of perceived value,
new communication languages,
more territorial identity,
greater integration between wine, tourism and hospitality.

The strongest companies in the coming years will likely be those capable of:

build a direct relationship with the consumer,
develop experiences,
invest in the brand,
to oversee wine tourism,
differentiate yourself on real quality,
work in a network with the local area.

Italy still has a huge competitive advantage: authenticity, history, biodiversity, and productive capacity.
But today it is no longer enough to produce excellent wine.

It needs to be told better.
We need to create experience.
We need to build value around the territory.
And it is precisely there that much of the future of Italian wine will be played out in the coming years.

Wine press review for Thursday May 28 -2026

with:

Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.

Italian wineries

Pojer and Sandri part ways after 50 years

A historic turning point for one of the most iconic Trentino wine producers: Mario Pojer and Fiorentino Sandri have formalized their corporate separation after more than half a century of joint business. Fiorentino Sandri will maintain the historic Pojer e Sandri brand, while Mario Pojer will continue his project in the Cembra Valley with the new family generation.

Fontanafredda launches its “Green Renaissance”

The historic Langhe winery strengthens its commitment to sustainability with a supply chain manifesto shared with its industrial partners. Andrea Farinetti: “Today we must put the Earth at the center of humanity.”

Moncaro, auction halfway

The Montecarotto winery has been sold to the Uve Unite cooperative, while the Acquaviva Picena and Camerano properties remain unsold. The effort to safeguard one of the Marche region’s most important winemaking heritages continues.

Tenute Martarosa relaunches its Tintilia rosé wine

In Molise, the Travaglini brothers continue their work promoting Tintilia, a native grape variety saved from oblivion in the 1990s, now also offering a rosé version.

Garofano celebrates 30 years with a Fiano Salentino

The Garofano brothers’ Apulian winery focuses on white wines with “Bianca dei Censi,” a Fiano that opens up new production prospects for Salento.

Elena Walch inaugurates Moncalisse in Trentino

The Walch family officially enters the world of Trentodoc with the new Moncalisse maison in Valsugana, a scenic and highly innovative facility dedicated exclusively to classic method sparkling wines.

Kurtatsch and the new UGA

The South Tyrolean cooperative becomes one of the first concrete examples of the use of Additional Geographical Units to enhance territorial identities, soils, and exposures.

Moretti Polegato: “Prosecco has changed the region.”

The owner of Villa Sandi explains how viticulture has socially and economically transformed the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Italian wine exports: signs of recovery outside the EU

According to UIV and Istat data, Italian wine closed the first quarter of 2026 with exports outside the EU still negative (-11%) but improving compared to the previous two months (-16%). Prosecco and the premium segment held steady, while the US remained severely depressed (-20.5%).

The first 100% Made in Italy dealcoholized wines are here.

Following the new regulatory framework, the first Italian productions of dealcoholized wines began with plants installed in the country. Among the pioneers were Frizero, Mack & Schühle Italia, and Ceviv.

Wine by the glass continues to grow

Andrea Gori of Da Burde (Florence) explains how a smart selection of wines by the glass and by the quart can increase consumption even in a difficult market.

Post-natural wines: a new phase in artisanal winemaking?

The natural wine movement is entering a new cultural and commercial evolution. The debate about the segment’s identity, authenticity, and transformation is growing.

Montello viticulture looks to the future

In Giavera del Montello, companies, technicians, and institutions will discuss sustainability, environmental protection, and the revitalization of the Recantina wine region.

Drones and precision agriculture in Tuscany

The “Drone Farming” project was presented to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of agricultural supply chains through new drone applications.

Agriculture is looking for specialized technicians

At the Renisa national congress in Alba, the issue of the shortage of qualified technical professionals for the agricultural and wine sectors emerged forcefully.

International

Sicily conquers the Masters of Wine

Twenty-seven international Masters of Wine tour the island to learn about biodiversity, native grape varieties, and Sicilian terroirs through tastings and masterclasses organized by Assovini Sicilia.

Wine tourism on the rise: train travel booms

According to Trainline, travel to Italian cities and wine regions is increasing. Slow tourism linked to wine, food, and landscapes is growing.

Tenerife and the direct relationship with the producer

A curious tale from the world of wine hospitality: what happens when you honestly tell a producer that his wine isn’t convincing?

Wine events

Open Cellars 2026 Livens Up All of Italy

A weekend packed with events including tastings, music, picnics, winery tours, and immersive experiences.

Among the main events:

Astoria brings Argentina to the Prosecco hills
Guerrieri Rizzardi opens its doors in Bardolino
Lidia & Amato organize vertical tastings of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Antico Castello in Irpinia offers barbecue and wine experiences.
Abruzzo takes center stage with 52 participating wineries

AIS Verona: “When the sun goes down, wine tells its story.”

An exclusive event on July 24th at the Fattori family’s Col De La Bastia estate, amid organic vineyards and sunset tastings.

The first Strada Vino Asolo Montello EVO Oil Competition has been presented.

The awards ceremony for the first edition of the event, dedicated to the area’s excellent olive oil products, took place at Villa Maser.

Studio Cru launches “Off Road Wine”

New wine tourism experiences off the beaten track for curious travelers seeking authenticity and less traveled territories.

Thanks for listening.

Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT

Until tomorrow.

Wine press review for Wednesday May 27 -2026

with:

Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.

Italian wineries

The Angelo Gaja family is relaunching “Butterfly Day” at the Ca’ Marcanda estate in Bolgheri: a symbolic release of butterflies among the vineyards to celebrate biodiversity, sustainability, and the health of the viticultural ecosystem.
Varvaglione 1921 acquires Casino Nitti in Marina di Lizzano: 70 hectares and a project that combines native grape varieties from Puglia and Campania, strengthening the territorial strategy of the historic Southern Italian company.
Biancavigna inaugurates “Elogio alla Vigna Eroica,” two days of tastings, historical remembrance, and the promotion of heroic viticulture in the UNESCO hills.
Masi Agricola presents in Venice the catalog “L’Anima dell’Amarone” by Fabrizio Plessi and the limited edition Amarone Masi Costasera Contemporary Art 2006, strengthening the connection between wine, art, and territory.
Vigna Traverso continues its journey to promote the red wines of the Colli Orientali del Friuli, focusing on their territorial identity and historic grape varieties.
Montalbera is investing €550,000 in Monferrato wine tourism with the new “Dolce Vita” panoramic terrace amidst vineyards, a gazebo suite, and a panoramic pool.
Cantine Catabbo relaunches Tintilia with more elegant, fresh, and modern interpretations, maintaining a strong connection with the iconic grape variety of Molise.
After more than 50 years, Mario Pojer and Fiorentino Sandri are separating, ending one of the most iconic partnerships in Italian wine.
Cantine Pellegrino presents “Bianco di Venere,” a new dry white wine from Pantelleria dedicated to showcasing the island’s terroir and biodiversity.
Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella confirms Christian Marchesini as president until 2028, focusing on international promotion and balanced production.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Remembering Carlo Petrini brings to the forefront the revolutionary role of Slow Food in global gastronomic culture and the relationship between wine, territory, and sustainability.
The Piedmontese Consortia pay homage to Carlo Petrini, a key figure in the cultural promotion of wine and Italian agricultural traditions.
According to Knight Frank’s “Wealth Report 2026,” one hectare of Barolo reaches 2.3 million euros, surpassing even Champagne among the most expensive vineyards in the world.
Unioncamere and BMTI report a general decline in wine grape prices for the 2025 harvest, with sharp drops for Nebbiolo for Barolo and Barbaresco.
The influence of digital wine tourism is growing: according to DNA Tasting, 55.3% of wine tourists in Italy are Italian, and over 70% are under 50. Online bookings and artificial intelligence are transforming winery hospitality.
Brussels is accelerating progress toward a European one-stop shop for managing excise duties on online wine sales: a possible operational reform by 2027 to benefit independent wineries and winemakers.
The debate over the future of natural wine continues: new “post-natural” models are emerging, more mature and less ideological than the first generation of the movement.

International

In France, there is growing debate about the “wine crisis”: according to Le Figaro, restaurateurs are focusing on simple, accessible, and less technical wine lists to win back younger consumers.
Wine consumption in French restaurants continues to decline: -9% in 2024 and -7% in 2025, although wine remains the French’s favorite alcoholic beverage.
On the Costa Smeralda, wine increasingly becomes a symbol of luxury and international lifestyle during the Porto Cervo Wine & Food Festival, an event that kicks off the high-spending tourism season.
Ticinowine is focusing on experiential wine tourism and its strategic focus for 2026-2029, with over 30,000 visitors expected at Cantine Aperte events in Ticino.

Wine events

Berebianco 2026 honors four great Italian whites: 55 wineries and 160 wines featured in tastings and masterclasses dedicated to the evolution of great white wines.
Taobuk – Taormina International Book Festival sees Cusumano as its Official Wine Partner with events dedicated to wine, culture, and business.
Cantine Aperte 2026 returns with an increasingly experiential format: trekking, vineyard picnics, art, music, cooking classes, and immersive experiences throughout Italy.
A weekend of tastings in the Berici Hills with guided tours, vineyard tours, and food pairings during Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars).
In Montalcino, the “Cantine Aperte del Brunello” (Open Brunello Cellars) offer blind tastings, picnics among the vineyards, and immersive tours into the heart of Brunello.
Cantina Goretti is organizing three days of wine experiences, music, Umbrian cuisine, and art workshops in Perugia.
Antico Castello is promoting a “wine for all” philosophy during Cantine Aperte 2026 with free tours and accessible tastings.
In Moasca, a tasting dedicated to pairings between Tenuta Il Nespolo wines and local artisanal cheeses.
“Il Bello del Vino” inaugurates a new exhibition dedicated to organic, biodynamic, and family-run wineries, with fortnightly tastings and a focus on the local area.
Controversy in Velletri over “Tutti giù in Cantina 2026”: ARSIAL clarifies that there was no prejudicial denial but rather a request for a more structured project.

Press review provided by WINEIDEA.IT .