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Wine press review for Saturday May 30 -2026

with:

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

ITALIAN WINERIES

Moncalisse inaugurates its new sustainable winery in Trentino.

The new Moncalisse winery, designed by sisters Julia and Karoline Walch, is being built in Seregnano (Trento). A modern structure integrated into the landscape, it is designed to enhance the Trentodoc region through sustainability, architecture, and innovation.

Farina Wines brings art to the cellar

The historic Valpolicella Classica winery is strengthening its “Art Ferment” project, transforming its cellar into a permanent space dedicated to contemporary art and cultural experiences.

New Martes line for Maremma wines

The Tuscan cooperative launches the IGT Costa Toscana “Martes” line, with a contemporary, youthful, and convivial approach aimed at new consumers.

Il Passo Winery Presents Alberi in Piano Rosé 2025

The Grimolizzi family’s Lucanian winery has launched a new rosé made from pure Aglianico, expanding its offering with a fresh, regional wine.

ES Cantina & Ristorante reopens in Puglia

Gianfranco Fino’s property relaunches integrated hospitality, combining a resort, restaurant, tastings, and hospitality immersed in the Apulian vineyards.

The Wine Net conquers Bordeaux

The bubbles from the Italian cooperative network have attracted great interest at the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, promoting lesser-known areas of Italian sparkling wine.

Elio Altare recounts the Barolo Boys’ redemption

One of the protagonists of the Barolo revolution retraces the cultural and social transformation of the Langhe, highlighting current challenges related to bureaucracy and the market.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Assoenologi: We Need a New Renaissance for Italian Wine

A clear message comes from the National Congress in Conegliano: overcome pessimism and build a new phase of growth through quality, innovation, and dialogue with institutions.

Lollobrigida opens up to the uprooting of vineyards

The Minister of Agriculture has expressed his willingness to consider interventions on vineyards if the entire supply chain reaches a shared position. Priority will be given to quality, markets, and exports.

Cotarella: the wine will react this time too

The president of Assoenologi recalls the crises the sector has overcome in recent decades and identifies communication as the main front to be protected.

Renzo Cotarella: Now we need to evolve

The CEO of Marchesi Antinori calls on the sector to focus on quality, markets, communication, and price control to regain competitiveness.

Nomisma Wine Monitor: Diversifying Exports and Re-Engaging Young Consumers

Denis Pantini highlights how the future of Italian wine lies in new international markets and a greater ability to engage with new generations.

Cannonau “young wine” becomes a national case

The project developed in Sardinia to introduce young people to wine is presented as an innovative model at the Assoenologi Congress.

Friuli Venezia Giulia: every DOC generates value

Regional Councillor Stefano Zannier emphasizes how the individual denominations contribute to strengthening the international image of Friulian wine.

Giorgia Meloni: Viticulture is a cornerstone of Made in Italy.

In her message to the Assoenologi Congress, the Prime Minister reiterates the economic, cultural, and territorial value of Italian wine.

Assoenologi Awards 2026

Francesco Lollobrigida was named “Personality of the Year.” Matteo Zoppas, Federico Bricolo, Luca Zaia, Stevie Kim, and Alessandro Regoli also received awards.

Baratuciat: the rediscovered grape variety of the Susa Valley

The recovery of Piedmont’s native varieties continues thanks to projects that enhance biodiversity and territorial identity.

INTERNATIONAL

Historic auction for Stalin’s private cellar

Over 40,000 bottles of Stalin’s wine are being made public in Georgia. The proceeds from the auction will fund a national wine school.

Armenia: A Journey to the Origins of Wine

International interest in Armenia’s winemaking heritage, considered among the oldest in the world and increasingly important for tourism and the economy, is growing.

International tastings in London

In July, the Courtyard Wine Cellars in Covent Garden will host a tasting of Chardonnays from around the world paired with select cheeses and cured meats.

WINE EVENTS

Open Cellars 2026 is the protagonist of the weekend

The 34th edition confirms the evolution of Italian wine tourism: trekking through the vineyards, tastings, outdoor experiences, culture, and gastronomy take center stage alongside wine.

Tuscany: Cantine Aperte focuses on regenerative tourism

The Tuscan Wine Tourism Movement presents new hospitality options focused on wellness, nature, and immersion in the local area.

Huge 2026 returns to Lapio

On June 14th and 15th, the artisanal wine fair will stop in the heart of the Fiano di Avellino region.

Vineia tells the story of Casentino wine

On June 6th and 7th, Bibbiena will host a program of archaeology, tastings, conferences, and visits to the area’s historic wineries.

Etna Wine Tour and Circumetnea

Etna confirms its position as one of Italy’s most dynamic wine tourism destinations, thanks to historic railway routes and tours of wineries and the volcano.

Antinori and Armin Linke at Bargino

A new chapter in the Antinori family’s Art Project, featuring artistic installations inside the Chianti Classico winery.

Venice: on the Malvasia routes

The cultural sailing journey will begin on June 6th, retracing the ancient trade routes of the Serenissima linked to Malvasia.

Cortina VIP Wine 2026

On 13 and 14 July the Civiltà del Bere summit returns to the Dolomites with 54 Italian wineries and the main protagonists of national winemaking.

Venice Wine Festival and initiatives in the Venetian area

The summer wine season kicks off with tastings, open cellars, lagoon wine tours, and food and wine events.

Brescia and the Lombard Hills

The 2026 program for the Wine and Flavors Route has been approved, increasingly focused on sustainability, promotion, and local tourism.

TREND OF THE DAY

The entire Italian wine industry, gathered in Conegliano for the Assoenologi Congress, is sending a message of confidence: despite the slowdown in consumption and market difficulties, the sector identifies the new generations, wine tourism, export diversification, and the valorization of local areas as the key drivers for building the next growth cycle for Italian wine.

Press review provided by Wine Idea Network.

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.