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Wine press review for Saturday March 14 – 2026

with:

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

Italian wineries

Biondi-Santi restarts from the vineyard The historic Greppo estate, the cradle of Brunello di Montalcino, continues its renewal process after joining the Descours family group in 2017. The company has begun a thorough agronomic review of its 33 productive hectares with consultant Pedro Parra, also identifying a rare parcel from the 1930s.

PaoloLeo Wineries to grow in 2025. The Puglia-based winery in Salento closed 2025 with a turnover of €25.3 million (9.8%) and a production of approximately 6 million bottles . Exports grew by 15% , with new markets in the Middle East, Central Africa, and the United States.

Cantina Valle Isarco celebrates 65 years. Founded in 1961 by 24 winemakers, the South Tyrolean cooperative now has 135 members and 150 hectares of vineyards up to 1,000 meters above sea level. The Aristos line represents the high-altitude expression of its production.

Siddùra brings Sardinian Vermentino among the best Italian whites. The Spèra and Bèru wines, Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, obtain important national and international awards, confirming the qualitative growth of Sardinian winemaking.

Panerai celebrates Veronelli Paolo Panerai pays homage to the centenary of Luigi Veronelli’s birth with a dedicated event and a wine that symbolizes their historic relationship.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Italian wine exports in 2025 slightly down. The value of exports stands at 7.7 billion euros (-3.7%) with 2.1 billion liters (-1.8%) . The regional podium remains unchanged:

  • Veneto: €2.92 billion – 36.7% of national exports
  • Tuscany: 1.17 billion (€)
  • Piedmont: among the protagonists of international sales

The decline is linked to tariffs, geopolitical tensions and the decline in global consumption.

Prosecco declines in the first months of 2026. The DOC sparkling wine recorded a 19% drop in January and a 14% drop in February in bottlings. This effect is also linked to the stocks built up for 2025 to anticipate possible US tariffs.

The “polycrisis” of wine Between tariffs, climate change, and new consumption styles, the global market requires greater flexibility: lower-alcohol wines, shorter supply chains, and certified value.

Wine Must Speak to Young People According to several industry observers, wine risks marginalization if it doesn’t update its language and consumption methods, making it simpler, more accessible, and more contemporary.

Freisa, the Piedmontese grape variety to be rediscovered Historically widespread since the 16th century and genetically close to Nebbiolo, Freisa is returning to the spotlight as a variety capable of expressing territorial identity.

Moderate wine consumption and cardiovascular health A study published in the European Heart Journal confirms that moderate consumption of red wine in the Mediterranean diet can contribute to reducing cardiovascular risk.

Women in Wine: Leadership and Economic Value Women-led companies cultivate 21% of the UAA but produce 28% of the agricultural GDP of the wine sector, with a strong focus on exports and wine tourism.

Illegal Work in the Vineyards: The Langhe’s Response Following the “Bitter Grapes” dossier, local institutions and operators reaffirm the region’s commitment to fighting exploitation and upholding legality.

Innovation and sustainability

Regenerative viticulture: the Bayer project The “Regenerate to grow” program, presented at San Patrignano, promotes agricultural practices capable of improving soil fertility and reducing environmental impact.

Wineries are increasingly green. From the Langhe to Etna, the adoption of sustainable practices is growing: organic, green manure, precision viticulture, lightweight glass, and recyclable materials to reduce emissions.

Intermediaries are increasingly strategic in the wine market. According to Med.&A. President Carlo Miravalle, mediation roles are evolving towards integrated consultancy services that combine technical, commercial, and regulatory expertise.

International market

ProWein 2026 looks to the European market. The international trade fair, with over 560 Italian exhibitors , will take place in Düsseldorf from March 15 to 17. Europe remains a key macro-region for Italy:

  • Germany: €1.4 billion
  • United Kingdom: €816 million
  • Switzerland: over €400 million

Overall, the European market is worth over 4 billion in Italian exports .

China: Wine Imports Decline Sharply In 2025, Chinese imports will drop to €1.25 billion (-14.6%) and 207 million liters (-26.7%) . Despite this, international operators continue to invest in the country.

Wine events and territory

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spring The XXXI edition offers 15 wine exhibitions from 13 March to 14 June , promoting the UNESCO hills of the Alta Marca.

Bertiolo Wine Festival The historic Friulian event returns with its 77th edition from March 14th to 29th , including tastings, culture, and entertainment.

Art at San Leonardo Tenuta San Leonardo presents the fourth edition of the artistic project with a limited-edition label designed by Chiara Camoni for the San Leonardo 2021.

Guida Cantine d’Italia 2026 in Rome Go Wine presents the new edition of the guide dedicated to wine tourism, with tastings and meetings between wineries and the public.

Harrykuminciamu: Sicily’s wine scene restarts. A solidarity tasting organized by Assovini Sicilia on March 28th in Catania to support the restaurant and hospitality industries affected by Cyclone Harry.

Wine tourism on the rise Despite declining consumption, demand for winery experiences is growing: wine is increasingly becoming a vehicle for culture, tourism, and the region.

New local projects in Rimini: The Wine and Flavors Route is considering opening a store dedicated to local products to strengthen its promotion of the area.

Conclusion

Italian wine continues to navigate challenges and opportunities. The sector is undergoing a rebalancing of production and demand , with more selective markets and diverse consumers. At the same time, new strategic levers are emerging: sustainability, wine tourism, agronomic innovation, and the ability to present wine in a more contemporary way.

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

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

MENTOR – The new global frontier of Made in Italy

with:

When technology, taste and young ambassadors meet the world.

A new need is emerging in the world of luxury and fine dining: it’s no longer enough to sell an excellent product, it needs to reach exactly the right person.

Made in Italy agri-food products—wine, oil, pasta, cured meats, cheeses, and agricultural products—represent one of the European economy’s most valuable assets. However, this heritage suffers from two major problems:

  • international counterfeiting , which subtracts value from authentic products
  • a commercial chain that is too long , which often distances the producer from the final consumer

From this need, the MENTORE Project was born, an innovative model that combines technology, young professionals, and international trade to create a new form of direct distribution of certified Italian products.

It’s not just about exports.

It’s about sensorial profiling of the consumer and targeted delivery of the perfect products for him .

The technological heart: the “electronic nose and palate”

The project is based on a portable electronic device capable of analyzing a person’s olfactory and gustatory characteristics.

The system uses two different probes :

  • one dedicated to olfactory analysis (nose)
  • one dedicated to taste analysis (mouth)

The device collects chemical data relating to the individual’s sensory response and sends it via a smartphone app to a central server in the cloud .

gustatory_olfactory_analysis_pro…

The process takes place in several phases:

  1. collection of aromatic components through the olfactory probe
  2. analysis of the taste response using the second probe
  3. processing of the person’s sensory data
  4. comparison with a database of certified products
  5. generating a personalized taste profile

This system creates an individual sensory map that allows you to pinpoint exactly which wines, oils, cured meats, pastas, or other Italian products are most compatible with your preferences.

In essence, the technology does something that no trading system does really well today:

translates human taste into scientific data usable by the market.

Wine Mentors: A New International Profession

Technology alone is not enough.

It needs a network of people to take it to the world.

The project envisages the creation of a structure composed of 500–700 trained young graduates , called:

Wine Mentor

The word Mentor comes from classical tradition and indicates a trusted advisor, a competent guide .

The Wine Mentor thus becomes an ambassador of Italian taste.

His work consists of:

  • visit customers around the world
  • perform olfactory and gustatory analysis with the device
  • collect customer sensory data
  • suggest the most suitable Italian products
  • manage the relationship between customers and producers

The Mentor is not a traditional salesman.

It is a hybrid figure between:

  • sensory consultant
  • cultural ambassador of Made in Italy
  • commercial facilitator

Each Mentor will be identified via a digital card and wearable device (e.g. electronic bracelet) that records activities, contacts and transactions within the central system.

A global digital platform

The system will be coordinated by a central multi-cloud technology platform that integrates various functions:

  • customer database
  • certified product database
  • supplier database
  • system for matching tastes and products
  • international e-commerce

After sensory analysis, the system automatically suggests the products most compatible with the person’s profile.

The customer will then be able to:

  • receive a personalized selection
  • purchase directly through the platform
  • receive products with rapid logistics

The goal is to create a short supply chain, where:

the Italian producer meets the global end consumer directly.

A new way to sell wine (and more)

The project was born with wine, but the model can be applied to many products.

Among the main ones:

  • Italian DOC and DOCG wine
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • artisanal pasta
  • DOP cured meats and cheeses
  • premium agricultural products
  • preserves and regional specialties

In the future the system could become a complete ecosystem of Italian taste .

A customer in New York, Dubai, or Singapore could have their own digital sensory profile and automatically receive Italian products perfectly matched to their tastes.

Fight against counterfeiting

One of the most important effects of the project concerns the protection of Made in Italy.

When a client enters the Mentor system:

  • buy only certified products
  • receives directly from the producer or from a controlled supply chain
  • avoid imitations and fake products

This creates a business network where authenticity becomes part of the service .

Opportunities for young professionals

The project also has a strong social and economic dimension.

It could create hundreds of new professional opportunities for young graduates in:

  • economy
  • oenology
  • agriculture
  • marketing
  • gastronomic sciences
  • hospitality

The Wine Mentor thus becomes a new international professional figure linked to the world of taste and Italian food culture.

Towards a new export model

Today, a large part of agri-food exports still follow traditional models:

producer → distributor → importer → restaurant → customer

The Mentor system proposes a different paradigm:

producer → platform → Mentor → client

Fewer steps.

More relationship.

More customization.

Conclusion

The Mentor Project represents a new vision for Made in Italy.

It doesn’t just export products.

Export experience, knowledge and taste customization .

A system where technology, young talent, and agri-food tradition meet to create a new global distribution model.

In an increasingly digital and competitive world, Italy’s real advantage could be precisely this:

transform taste into relationship and relationship into value.

Wine press review for Friday March 13 -2026

with:

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

Italian wineries

MASI launches the King’s Pinot Noir from Oltrepò Pavese

In preparation for Vinitaly, the Masi Group presents Pinot Noir del Re , the first still Pinot Noir produced on the Tenuta Casa Re estate in Montecalvo Versiggia, acquired in 2023. The wine is made from a clonal selection across 15 hectares of vineyards and is aged for six months in oak. This project strengthens the Verona winery’s presence in one of Europe’s most renowned Pinot Noir regions.

Valdo celebrates 100 years of innovation and new strategies.

The centenary of the historic Valdobbiadene sparkling wine house coincides with an important strategic phase:

  • A return to still wines thanks to the acquisition of Friuli’s I Magredi
  • launch of the non-alcoholic sparkling wine Purø
  • consolidation of Prosecco production on 150 hectares of vineyards .

Cantina Valpolicella Negrar: Historic Management Change

Christian Zulian becomes the new general manager with technical responsibilities, while Carlo Callari takes over the winemaking department. This concludes the era of Daniele Accordini, a key figure in the cooperative’s development over the past thirty years.

Cantina Valle Isarco celebrates 65 years of Alpine viticulture.

The South Tyrolean cooperative, founded in 1961 and today made up of over 100 members, represents one of the most interesting models of mountain viticulture , with vineyards between 250 and 1000 metres above sea level.

Forbes names Fattoria di Grignano among the 100 most iconic wineries.

Tommaso Inghirami’s company has been included in the Iconic Wineries 2026 list, a recognition that recognizes not only the quality of its wines but also innovation and protection of the local area.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Horeca 2025: Aperitifs and premiumization drive the market

According to data from the CDA consortium, the out-of-home drinks market will record in 2025:

  • 0.66% in value
  • -0.92% in volume

A balance supported by prices and consumer mix. Lighter, more experiential options are growing, with a strong emphasis on aperitifs.

Italian wine exports close 2025 with a decline

The UIV Observatory records:

  • total exports 7.78 billion euros (-3.7%)
  • volumes -1.9%

The main causes are:

  • tariffs and dollar devaluation
  • drop in demand in the USA (-9.2%)
  • contractions in the UK, Canada and Switzerland.

However, some European markets such as Germany, France and the Netherlands are holding up.

The debate on the Italian “fine wine” model

A critical reflection is emerging in the international press: has Italian wine really surpassed the French model or has it simply adapted the commercial concept of fine wine , based on rarity, longevity and collectible value?

Walter Massa relaunches the debate on Gutturnio

The Colli Tortonesi winemaker criticizes the commercial use of the Gutturnio name for inexpensive sparkling wines, arguing the need to promote it as a great still red wine with strong ties to the region.

Cooperatives under accusation in the Piedmont debate

Former president of the Barolo Barbaresco Consortium Matteo Ascheri attributes part of the difficulties facing Piedmontese wine to the cooperative wineries, accused of failing to innovate their production system sufficiently.

The Barolo Consortium defends the Langhe system

President Sergio Germano responds to a dossier on vineyard labor management, emphasizing that many estimates of undeclared work are theoretical and do not represent the actual production situation in the Langhe.

Landslides in the UNESCO Prosecco Hills

The Association for the Heritage of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Hills is calling for faster interventions to restore slopes affected by landslides following extreme weather events.

Agri-food exports from the province of Cuneo

In 2025, the primary sector will reach 4.6 billion euros , with strong growth in Poland and good performances in Russia and Israel.

International

After Campari, Kunze-Concewitz invests in non-alcoholic beverages

The former CEO of the Campari group is participating in the venture builder Liquide Ventures , a project dedicated to the development of new non-alcoholic and low-alcohol brands, a segment experiencing strong growth among younger consumers.

Bollinger 2018 arrives in Italy with Meregalli

La Grande Année 2018 and La Grande Année Rosé 2018 are making their debut on the Italian market, champagnes aged on the lees for over seven years and vinified in used oak barrels.

Fantini named best Italian producer at Mundus Vini 2026

The Abruzzo winery wins the title of Best Italian Wine Producer and numerous awards, including:

  • Best of Show Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
  • Best of Show Castile-La Mancha White.

A shower of medals for Cantina Valtidone

The Emilian cooperative conquers:

  • 3 golds and 1 silver at Mundus Vini
  • 2 golds at the Berliner Wine Trophy.

Double international gold for Sardinian Syrah

The Marganai wine from the Arriali winery in Iglesias won gold at both the Berliner Wine Trophy and Mundus Vini 2026, rewarding a winemaking project that combines Syrah and Carignano.

Wine events

Slow Wine Fair 2026: Community and Sustainability

At the fair organized by Slow Food, the area dedicated to the Slow Wine Coalition stood out, a space for discussion on biodiversity, agricultural work and sustainability of the supply chain.

Best Wine Stars 2026

From May 16th to 18th, the international event returns to Milan at the Palazzo del Ghiaccio, featuring tastings, masterclasses, and professional meetings.

DiVinNosiola 2026

On March 27th in Trentino, a masterclass led by Giuseppe Carrus will compare two iconic grape varieties: Nosiola trentina and Albana di Romagna .

Cantina Jazz in Pisa: wine and music

The “Five Wednesdays of Emotions” series combines tasting and sensory exploration of wine, music, and neuroscience.

Wines of the Heart in Genoa

The event dedicated to micro-productions and rediscovered grape varieties confirms the growing attention towards distinctive and niche wines.

Harrykuminciamu: Solidarity Tasting in Sicily

Assovini Sicilia is organizing a large tasting in Catania on March 28th to support businesses affected by the cyclone that damaged the coast.

New languages for telling about wine

The Affinamente cultural format brings psychology, music, and storytelling into the cellars, a sign of an increasingly experiential approach to wine communication.

In summary: the strategic signals of the week

Three dynamics clearly emerge:

1. Changing aperitif and non-alcoholic beverage consumption and premiumization are reshaping the market.

2. Wine is moving towards less volume, more identity, territory and storytelling.

3. Wine becomes a cultural experience: events, tourism, music, storytelling, and sustainability are now an integral part of the product.

Wine is no longer just agriculture. It is becoming a cultural and economic ecosystem .

And it is precisely here that the great strategic opportunities for wineries and territories are being played out today.

Wine Trends and Performance in Italy. Weekly Summary – March 9-13, 2026

with:

The Italian winemaking system is experiencing a fragile equilibrium, characterized by still-full cellars, declining global consumption, and more unstable international markets.

The sector remains structurally solid, but is entering a new economic cycle in which production flexibility, market diversification, and business model innovation are becoming decisive factors.

Cellars full: the problem is not production but the speed of sales

According to the ICQRF’s Cantina Italia report, in February 2026, Italian cellars held approximately 58.6 million hectoliters of wine , in addition to 6 million hectoliters of must . Compared to 2025, stocks increased by 5.8% , confirming a trend that had already emerged in previous months.

This level of inventory is not due to a particularly abundant harvest: 2025 production stopped at around 44.3 million hectoliters , in line with the previous year. The real critical factor is therefore the slowdown in the rate at which wine is absorbed by the market .

The trend reflects a broader phenomenon: world consumption fell from 276 million hectoliters in 2019 to around 227 million in 2024 , signaling a structural shift in global demand.

Slower consumption and new consumer behaviors

In mature markets—Europe and North America—wine consumption is changing. Among the main factors are:

  • greater attention to moderation and health
  • growing competition from other beverages
  • new social models of consumption
  • generational changes in habits

In the Horeca channel, data from the CDA consortium show a stable but changing market: in 2025, out-of-home beverage sales grew slightly in value (0.66%) , but fell in volume (-0.92%) .

The consumer mix is shifting toward categories perceived as lighter or more experiential. The following are growing:

  • aperitifs and vermouth (9.39% value)
  • energy drink (9.17%)
  • short-term consumption formulas such as aperitifs and lunch breaks.

Traditional evening consumption, on the other hand, tends to lose its centrality.

Exports: the slowdown in the United States weighs on the sector

International trade in Italian wine remains strong but shows signs of slowing.

In 2025, Italian exports closed at 7.7 billion euros , with a decrease of -3.7% compared to 2024 and approximately 300 million euros less .

The main cause is the decline in the US market, the primary commercial outlet for Italian wine. In the United States:

  • overall wine imports decreased by approximately -12% in value
  • Italian exports lost approximately -13.2% , falling to 1.8 billion euros .

Several simultaneous factors were at play:

  • tariffs introduced by the Trump administration
  • devaluation of the dollar
  • reduction of internal consumption
  • process of clearing out stocks accumulated after the pandemic.

To keep prices competitive, many producers have absorbed part of the duties by reducing margins.

New markets and export geographies

The contraction of the United States is pushing Italian wine to seek new trade routes.

In 2025, the markets with the most dynamic signals are:

  • Brazil , the only major market growing in both volume and value
  • South Korea , with increasing wine imports
  • Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic
  • emerging markets in Southeast Asia such as Vietnam and Thailand .

Despite these opportunities, many major global markets – China, Japan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland – still saw slowdowns in purchasing.

Strategies for managing surpluses

The issue of inventories brings the question of managing production potential back to the fore.

There are various tools available to the sector:

  • product storage pending better conditions
  • downgrading of wines from denomination to lower categories
  • distillation as an emergency tool
  • uprooting of vineyards to reduce production capacity.

Many consortia, however, underline that the drop in consumption is no longer a temporary phenomenon but a structural trend .

Wine tourism and direct sales: levers of value

In this context, models that bring the producer closer to the consumer become increasingly relevant.

Wine tourism represents one of the most important levers: according to Roberta Garibaldi’s report, for some Italian wineries the tourist experience can generate up to 60% of profits , while for approximately half of the companies it contributes up to 30%.

At the same time, interest in direct online sales (D2C) is growing. In the European market, this method can guarantee margins of up to 70% , compared to the 25–30% of traditional shelf sales.

A sector that needs to become more flexible

The debate currently raging in the wine world converges on one point: the production system must become more flexible.

In a global market characterized by geopolitical volatility, consumption fluctuations and cultural changes, the Italian wine sector will have to:

  • adapt production to demand more quickly
  • diversify markets and sales channels
  • develop integrated models between wine, tourism and experience
  • improve communication towards new consumers.
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