A network portal of Wine Idea. Discover the world of Wine idea

Wine press review for Thursday March 12 -2026

with:

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

Italian Wineries

Paololeo grows despite the difficult market

Cantine Paololeo closed 2025 bucking the industry trend: turnover grew by 9.8% , reaching 25.3 million euros . Domestic sales reached 16.8 million (4.5%) , while exports grew by 15% , to 8.5 million euros . Total production was 6 million bottles . The Apulian company’s strategy is based on market loyalty and commercial flexibility.

Letrari celebrates 50 years of Trentodoc

The Trentino-based Letrari winery is celebrating half a century of activity. Founded by winemaker Leonello Letrari , a leading figure in Alpine sparkling wine, the company was a pioneer of Trentodoc and contributed to the innovation of Italian wine as early as the 1960s with the celebrated Fojaneghe , one of the first Italian Bordeaux blends.

Sankt Pauls Winery Turns 120

A historic Alto Adige cooperative with 190 members and 185 hectares of vineyards , the Sankt Pauls winery continues to evolve. In 2023, it obtained Sqnpi certification for integrated production and welcomed the new Kellermeister Philipp Zublasing , strengthening the quality of its Pinot Blanc.

Skywalker: Umbria between territory and international vision

The Viandante del Cielo winery on Lake Trasimeno was born from the redevelopment of an abandoned property by the Californian group Skywalker Vineyards, founded by George Lucas. The estate encompasses 24 hectares (4 hectares under vine) and focuses on promoting local grape varieties with an international vision.

Masseria Barone, an underground cellar in the Comino Valley

In Atina, Lazio, Masseria Barone is an example of winemaking architecture integrated into the landscape. The winery was designed as a “modern cave,” aiming to combine production, tasting, and respect for the land.

Roccabianca: Organic Nebbiolo for the New Generation

The Roccabianca winery offers an organic Nebbiolo model geared towards sustainability and communication with Generation Z. Their philosophy: moderate consumption, soil management, and accessible language to introduce new consumers to quality wine.

Italian Wine and Italian Oenology

Italian wine exports: €7.7 billion, but declining

In 2025, Italian wine exports will stand at €7.77 billion , a decrease of 3.7% and a loss of €300 million compared to 2024. Volumes will fall by 1.9% to 21 million hectoliters . The main negative factor remains the US market ( -9.2% , equal to €178 million less), penalized by tariffs and the devaluation of the dollar.

The United States slows down Italian wine

Italian exports to the US in 2025 will drop to €1.8 billion (-13.2%) , while volumes will remain almost stable (-0.2%). The decline reflects the overall contraction in wine imports to the United States, which fell by 11.6% in value .

Cantina Italia: Stocks Still High

According to the Icqrf report, Italian cellars hold 58.6 million hectoliters of wine , up 5.8% compared to 2025. Added to these are 6 million hectoliters of must (34.2%) . Among the denominations with the largest stocks, Prosecco stands out, followed by PGI wines and table wines.

Asti and Moscato conquer Asia

Bucking the global market trend, Moscato d’Asti grew by 55% in Asia , while Asti Spumante recorded 20% . The Asian market thus becomes the third largest market for the denomination , representing 18% of total sales .

Towards a new phase of “post-natural” wine

The debate on natural wine is evolving toward a new, more balanced vision: greater attention to the vineyard and quality, but less ideological rigidity. A trend toward production simplicity is emerging, which values authenticity and technique.

A glass of wine and a Mediterranean diet

A study by the University of Navarra published in the European Heart Journal suggests that moderate wine consumption, as part of the Mediterranean diet, may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

Undeclared work in the Langhe vineyards

A regional dossier estimates that irregular work in the Langhe vineyards could generate an underground value between 26 and 39 million euros in the two-year period 2023-2024 , highlighting a structural problem for the sector.

Photovoltaics on agricultural land

A recent ruling by the Council of State clarified that, under the transitional regime of the legislation on renewables, ground-mounted photovoltaic systems can also be authorized in non-restricted agricultural areas, with simplified procedures.

New call for proposals in Lombardy for wineries

The Lombardy Region will soon open the call for proposals “Wine sector intervention – investments” for the 2026-2027 campaign, with applications until May 14, 2026 , aimed at modernizing wine-growing companies.

International Scenario

Champagne: The World’s Most Admired Brands

Despite the decline in global consumption, Champagne maintains strong international prestige. Louis Roederer, Krug, and Bollinger continue to lead the ranking of “The World’s Most Admired Champagne Brands 2026.” In 2025 , 266 million bottles were shipped, slightly less than the 271 million in 2024 .

War in Iran: Risks for agri-food exports

Geopolitical instability in the Middle East puts approximately €60 million in Tuscan exports at risk, especially wine, oil, and live plants . The conflict has also led to an increase in agricultural costs, with diesel fuel rising 40% in a week .

Franco-Sicilian Project: Château Palmer in the Aeolian Islands

The prestigious French winery Château Palmer has started a collaboration with Sicilian producer Nino Caravaglio for two new Salina IGT Malvasia labels, marking one of the first projects by a major French house on a minor Italian island.

Wine Events

BuyWine Toscana: 190 wineries and 175 buyers

The sixteenth edition of BuyWine Toscana opens in Florence, with 190 producers and 175 buyers from 47 countries . Over 3,500 B2B meetings and approximately 1,300 labels for tasting are planned.

Vinitaly and the City 2026

The Vinitaly off-site event will take place April 10-12 in Verona , with around 70 events including tastings, cultural events, and guided tours. New for the 2026 edition is the involvement of the Verona Arena and the Valpolicella Wine Route .

The Contrade of Etna 2026

The 17th edition of the event dedicated to Etna wines will take place April 19-20 in Randazzo . Currently, 74 wineries are participating , with international buyers in attendance.

ProWein 2026: Puglia in Düsseldorf

From March 15 to 17, twenty Apulian companies will participate in the international ProWein fair, within the Vinotech Puglia space, with tastings and meetings with buyers.

Mosso Artisan Wine Festival

The Mosso Festival returns to Piacenza on March 28th and 29th : over 30 wineries in more than 15 venues in the historic center for a traveling event dedicated to artisanal wine.

Strategic reading of the day

Three signals emerge clearly from today’s panorama:

  • the global wine market has entered a phase of structural adjustment , with exports under pressure and high inventories;
  • However, some denominations and territories are finding new growth markets , especially in Asia;
  • Future competitiveness will increasingly depend on territorial identity, sustainability and wine tourism .

A mature sector no longer grows by inertia. It grows through vision. And it’s precisely here that wineries that think like territorial platforms—wine, tourism, experience—begin to distinguish themselves from the rest of the system.

Wine press review for Wednesday March 11 – 2026

with:

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

Italian Wineries

Argea resists tariffs and invests in “non-alcoholic” wines. The Argea group closed 2025 with a turnover of €462 million , essentially stable compared to the previous year despite its strong exposure to the US market. Its future strategy focuses on innovation and research, with investments in the non-alcoholic segment (low- or no-alcohol wines) and ready-to-drink products, categories increasingly in demand by new consumers.

Arunda undergoes a restyling: fewer labels and longer aging. The Alto Adige winery Arunda is launching a strategic review of its range: the number of labels has been reduced from 12 to 7 to focus on greater identity and quality. The Classic Method sparkling wines, aged between 36 and 60 months on the lees , showcase the uniqueness of the high-altitude aging process, among the highest in Europe.

Terre d’Oltrepò Winery: deliveries lower than expected. The industrial project led by Collis Veneto Wine Group has not yet received the expected number of grape deliveries. The final decision will be made by the liquidators. The matter remains central to the Oltrepò Pavese winemaking economy.

Valtidone Winery Wins Award at the 2026 Berliner Wine Trophy. The Piacenza-based winery has won two Gold Medals and two “Category IV” mentions at the international Berliner Wine Trophy competition. The 2020 Arvange Brut and Pas Dosé Metodo Classico sparkling wines, as well as the Colli Piacentini Malvasia DOC and Gutturnio Classico Superiore wines, received awards.

Pasqualino Di Prisco’s Campi Taurasini tells the story of Aglianico. The 2020 vintage of Campi Taurasini stands out for its balance and aromatic precision: spices, crisp fruit, including black cherry and blueberry, and ripe tannins. Only 6,000 bottles produced , this gastronomic wine authentically expresses the Irpinia terroir.

Casato Prime Donne: the vision of Donatella Cinelli Colombini. The Tuscan producer helped transform wine into a tourist experience by founding the Movimento Turismo del Vino (Wine Tourism Movement) and the Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars) initiative in 1993. Her winery, located between Montalcino and Trequanda, is also known for having created a winery with an all-female winemaking team .

Sandre celebrates 100 years of history The Sandre Agricultural Company will celebrate its centenary on May 24th with a day open to the public including tastings, music, and activities in the vineyards.

Italian Wine and Oenology

Historic turning point: Collio and Colli Orientali del Friuli unite. The two consortia have signed an agreement to create a temporary consortium (ATI) with the goal of jointly promoting one of the most prestigious regions for Italian white wines. This historic step ends over twenty years of division.

Italian wineries: stocks still high According to the Icqrf Cantina Italia report, in February 2026 wine stocks reached 58.6 million hectoliters , an increase of 5.8% compared to 2025. The data confirms a market with stable but slow demand.

Wine exports exceed 8 billion, but restaurants are very local. Italian wine is increasingly global in sales, but on restaurant menus the local dimension dominates: 70-75% of the labels come from the same region as the restaurant . The HoReCa channel represents approximately 55-60% of the value of the domestic market .

Asti DOCG: Sales Decline in 2025. The Asti Consortium closed the year with 75 million bottles sold (-9%) . Tariffs in the United States and the collapse of the Russian market are weighing heavily, while positive signs are emerging from growing demand in China .

Wine prices are rising sharply. According to a Go Wine survey, wine prices increased by an average of 32% between 2020 and 2025. Oscar Farinetti urges the industry to reflect on the sustainability of these prices, emphasizing the need to offer excellent yet accessible wines.

The role of consortia according to Alessia Travaglini For the Piedmontese producer, consortia must help companies simplify the communication of denominations , avoiding excessive fragmentation that is difficult to understand in foreign markets.

Aging techniques: wood, steel, cement, and amphora. Wine aging is a fundamental process that determines aromatic evolution and structure. Each material influences the wine differently:

  • wood brings oxygenation and complexity
  • Steel preserves freshness and aromatic purity
  • cement ensures thermal stability
  • the amphora promotes natural micro-oxygenation.

Alpine Nebbiolo and Erbaluce del Canavese Canavese emerges as a wine-growing area to be rediscovered, capable of producing wines with a strong identity linked to the history and culture of northern Piedmont.

Climate and the future of wine according to Cristina Mercuri MW For the new Italian Master of Wine, the main challenge for the sector is not the decline in consumption but climate change , which could redraw the global geography of viticulture.

International

Tensions in the Middle East and risks for Italian exports. The deteriorating geopolitical situation following the February 28 attack on Iran is slowing traffic in Gulf ports. Italian exports to the area are worth over €28 billion , making the region strategic for international trade.

Containers blocked and orders suspended for Prosecco. Sandro Bottega reports 17 containers stuck in Middle Eastern ports , causing logistics costs to skyrocket and orders to be suspended. Geopolitical tensions threaten to impact inflation and trade flows.

Wine Events

Vinitaly and The City 2026 brings Verona to life. From April 10th to 12th, the city will host around 70 events, including tastings, masterclasses, wine talks, and guided tours . This year, Vinitaly’s off-site event is focusing heavily on wine tourism and the involvement of local wineries.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spring From March 13th to June 14th, the Alta Marca Trevigiana will host the 31st food and wine festival dedicated to Prosecco Superiore DOCG, with 15 wine exhibitions and numerous cultural and gastronomic events.

The Great Verticals of the Cities of Wine The 2026 tour continues on March 12 in Cervignano del Friuli , with tastings dedicated to native wines and local food pairings.

Easter in the cellar at Monte del Frà The Veronese winery offers a spring experience that combines wine and chocolate , with a visit to the vineyards and a guided tasting.

The picture that emerges today is that of a sector that must become increasingly flexible and strategic : unstable markets, high inventories and new consumption habits are reshaping the wine landscape.

Those with a deep understanding of territories, denominations, and market dynamics—as is often the case with wine estate development—know that the most exciting opportunities arise precisely in moments of transition.

Wine, after all, works a bit like an ecosystem: it changes slowly, but when it evolves, it does so profoundly. Tomorrow, new news, new signals to decipher.

Wine press review for Tuesday March 10 -2026

with:

Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian Wineries

Serena Costanzo and the New Direction of Etna Wine. On the northern slopes of Etna, in Passopisciaro, the Palmento Costanzo winery continues its growth with the second generation. Serena Costanzo, 30, an agronomist and winemaker trained in Asti and Montpellier, now leads the company’s development alongside her mother, Valeria Agosta. A young company rooted in the volcanic Etna landscape, it combines international training with a local identity.

Fausto Maculan celebrates 50 vintages with a collector’s bottle. The historic Breganze producer has created a symbolic cuvée, blending wines from his private collection. Only 300 numbered bottles recount half a century of work in the vineyard and cellar, a project that unites family memories and winemaking heritage.

Le Manzane: three new wines celebrating the region. The Treviso-based winery, led by the Balbinot family, will present three new labels at Vinitaly: a single-varietal Bianchetta and two interpretations of Merlot. This project combines the winery’s sparkling winemaking tradition with a contemporary reinterpretation of the region’s historic grape varieties.

Case d’Alto: Taurasi as an identity project. In Irpinia, Claudio De Luca is leading the Case d’Alto project, aiming to produce a Taurasi faithful to local tradition. The initiative stems from a centuries-old vineyard and also extends to the production of Fiano, with a focus on sustainability and the expression of the terroir.

La Cricca: Three young Friulians launch a winery through crowdfunding. A project born from a connection to the region and a desire to make wine more inclusive and accessible. The founders—Luca Comello, Luca Latronico, and Giacomo Orlando—have created a small brand that focuses on Friulian identity, contemporary communication, and direct community engagement.

Italian Wine and Oenology

Kombwine: a new non-alcoholic beverage made from grape must is born in Italy. South Tyrolean winemaker Andrea Moser and Legend Kombucha founder Ettore Ravizza have developed Kombwine, a beverage combining kombucha and grape must. The project taps into the growing no-/low-alcohol beverage market, offering an alternative that isn’t designed to be a dealcoholized wine, but rather a new category.

Great Italian Whites for Aging: More and more experts are emphasizing that many Italian whites have underestimated aging potential. According to several tasters, many white wines are released too early for commercial reasons, losing the opportunity to fully express their complexity over time.

High-Altitude Viticulture and Land Protection in Trentino: A petition in the municipality of Brentonico calls for limits on the expansion of high-altitude vineyards to prevent excessive landscape transformation and potential monoculture. The debate reflects a growing trend: the search for higher altitudes to counteract the effects of climate change.

Women-run wineries drive quality and exports. Women-led companies cultivate approximately 21% of the agricultural area under vines but generate 28% of the agricultural GDP. They stand out for their export orientation, strong focus on wine tourism, and a greater presence of DOC and DOCG wines. This theme is the focus of the “Women’s Wine Days 2026.”

Sardinia’s Niche Wines: A journey into lesser-known Sardinian viticulture, made up of small wineries that focus on quality rather than marketing. Often far from large-scale retail outlets, these businesses offer authentic wines rooted in their terroir.

Markets and International Scenario

Asti DOCG: global sales to decline in 2025 (-9%). Overall sales remained at approximately 75 million bottles. Asti Spumante recorded the sharpest decline (-12.4%), while Moscato d’Asti limited the decline (-1.8%). The US market remains critical, but Asia is growing (11.3%), with China accounting for 55%, making it the appellation’s third-largest market.

US tariffs and new markets for Italian wine. According to Wine Monitor Nomisma, US tariffs have pushed Italian producers to seek new trade destinations. Among the emerging markets are Poland, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Bulk wine logistics: new global challenges. Bulk wine transport, which accounts for over a third of global trade, is facing a complex situation. Geopolitical instability, logistics crises, and longer trade routes are reshaping international flows.

US wine exports to Canada plummet 78%. Following trade tensions between the two countries, many Canadian provinces removed US wines from their shelves. The result was a dramatic decline in American exports, which fell to $103 million in 2025.

Policies and Investments in the Sector

Lombardy: €2 million CMO call for wineries. The Lombardy Region has opened the new CMO Investment call for the 2026-2027 campaign. Applications are open until May 14th and will support technological innovation, winery modernization, and environmental sustainability.

Wine Events

Vinetia Tasting 2026 On March 22nd at the Santa Lucia di Piave exhibition center, over 150 wineries and more than 800 wines will be the protagonists of the large tasting organized by AIS Veneto, one of the most important events for regional wine.

Fonti di Vino – San Casciano dei Bagni The event dedicated to the nine local wineries debuts on March 28th, with tastings and meetings in the setting of the Val d’Orcia and the Fonteverde spa.

Wine & Art Experience at Cantine Paololeo On March 21st in San Donaci, an event combining tasting and wine painting, an artistic technique that uses wine as a natural pigment.

Divin Nosiola – Valle dei Laghi The event dedicated to the native Trentino Nosiola grape and the production of Vino Santo, a historic symbol of viticulture in the valley, returns.

Wine Meets Cinema: The Oscar Night Labels Ten Italian wines have been symbolically paired with the Oscar-nominated films, creating a dialogue between cinema and wine culture.

Wine tourism and Rural Hospitality

Agritourism and educational farms on the rise. According to Istat, educational farms increased by 12.2% in 2024, reaching 2,340 establishments. Agritourism in Italy exceeded 26,000 units with a total economic value of over €1.9 billion.

The overall picture shows a sector that continues to evolve on multiple fronts: product innovation (alcohol-free), new market geographies, and a growing focus on wine tourism and territorial sustainability.

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

See you tomorrow for the latest news from the world of wine.

Wine press review for Monday March 9 -2026

with:

Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.

Italian Wineries

Lambrusco rosé: the history of the Santa Croce winery

Founded in 1907 in Carpi (Modena), the Santa Croce winery represents one of the historic models of Emilian winemaking cooperation. Today, it boasts over 250 contributing families and approximately 750 hectares of vineyards , continuing to enhance the territory with distinctive products such as Lambrusco Spumante rosé .

Ruffino debuts with the Bolgheri Superiore Garzaia 2023

The historic Ruffino winery begins a new chapter with Garzaia Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2023 , the first Bolgheri produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards. The wine was presented on the Tuscan coast with a tasting lunch at La Pineta restaurant in Marina di Bibbona , a symbol of the local gastronomic tradition.

Le Manzane relaunches native vines

The Treviso-based winery Le Manzane will present three new wines at Vinitaly 2026 :

  • Pure Bianchetta
  • Merlot in two interpretations

A project that combines territorial identity and sustainability, keeping the Conegliano Valdobbiadene sparkling wine tradition at its core.

Agraria Riva del Garda invests 7.5 million

The Trentino cooperative is continuing a major development plan through 2028. Among the projects:

  • expansion of the cellar
  • emotional tunnel for wine tourism
  • new storage spaces

The goal is to support the growth of Trento DOC and strengthen the winery tourism experience.

New winery for the Cellatica-Gussago cooperative

The historic Brescia cooperative, founded in 1952, has begun construction of a new production facility focusing on Franciacorta sparkling wines , maintaining the cooperative model based on small winemakers.

Oltrepò lands: registrations below expectations

The relaunch project of the Terre d’Oltrepò winery with Collis Veneto Wine Group has so far collected 70-80 thousand quintals of grapes , with the goal of reaching 100 thousand to support the industrial plan.

Italian Wine and Italian Oenology

Italian wine exports: USA slows

The US market closed 2025 with a 12% contraction in value , stopping at around 5.5 billion euros . For Italian PDO wines:

  • -2.6% in volume
  • -6.2% in value

Some segments remain:

  • Tuscan whites (39%)
  • Sicilian whites (12%)
  • Prosecco (1.3% volume)

Wine Consortia: New Communication Strategy

Italian appellations are rethinking their communication methods. Consortia such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Prosecco DOC, Soave, and Lugana are developing new targets, digital channels, and local marketing strategies.

Collio and Colli Orientali united for the promotion

Historic agreement between the Consortia of Collio and Colli Orientali del Friuli , which have formed a temporary business association (ATI) to jointly promote one of the most important areas in the world for white wines.

Wine tourism: up to 60% of profits for some wineries

According to Roberta Garibaldi’s report:

  • For 20% of wineries, wine tourism generates up to 60% of profits
  • for about half the contribution reaches 30%

The global wine tourism market is worth $46.5 billion , with an expected growth of 12.9% annually .

Barolo: vineyards over $2 million per hectare

Barolo MGAs continue to achieve record values: recently, one hectare of vineyard was sold for around $2 million , among the highest prices in the world for vineyard land.

New generations and female leadership

25.8% of Italian agricultural companies are led by women , while 44.6% have women in decision-making roles. This is a significant sign of cultural transformation for the sector.

From the Toga to the Vineyard: The Story of Teresa Mincione

A new generation of winemakers is emerging. Former lawyer Teresa Mincione left her legal career to found a winery in Campania, producing Casavecchia , a native grape variety that’s a symbol of the region.

Ready-to-drink and dealcoholized wines are growing

According to Circana, the beverage market is evolving towards:

  • ready-to-drink
  • no/low alcohol products
  • premiumization

Traditional wine remains strong, but will need to update its language and marketing.

Sustainable agriculture as a territorial response

In areas like Brindisi , sustainable and organic agriculture is emerging as a possible alternative to the industrial crisis in the energy and petrochemical sectors.

International

Yoichi, the “Burgundy of Japan”

On the island of Hokkaido, the Yoichi region is emerging as one of the world’s new hubs for Pinot Noir. Thanks to its cool climate and the international vision of local institutions, the area is now being dubbed the “Burgundy of the East.”

Vernaccia di San Gimignano wins lawsuit in Argentina

The Consortium has obtained the cancellation of the “San Gimignano” trademark registered by an Argentine winery, strengthening the international protection of the PDO Vernaccia di San Gimignano .

Wine Events

ProWein Düsseldorf 2026

One of the world’s most important wine fairs returns from March 15th to 17th . Key numbers:

  • 561 Italian exhibitors
  • 645 Germans
  • over 3,000 total exhibitors

Germany remains the second largest market for Italian wine , with exports close to 1 billion euros .

Side events:

  • Tre Bicchieri World Tour – March 14
  • Falstaff Big Bottle Party

The Night of the Châteaux – Rome

On March 30th, one of the most important Italian events dedicated to the great wines of Bordeaux will be held in the capital, with around 30 iconic châteaux including:

  • Lafite Rothschild
  • Latour
  • Mouton Rothschild
  • Cos d’Estournel

Vineyard Visionaries – Caserta

Event dedicated to the role of women in Campania wine with the producers of Asprinio di Aversa, Falerno del Massico and wines from Caserta , promoted by the Le Donne del Vino association.

Presentation of the book “Stories of Wine”

On March 14th, the Treccani book on Italian viticultural biodiversity will be presented at Bersi Serlini Franciacorta .

Agricultural Policies and Financing

Piedmont: Grants up to €400,000

The Piedmont Region provides non-repayable grants of up to €400,000 to businesses investing in:

  • processing of agricultural products
  • technological innovation
  • energy and water saving

Deadline: March 16, 2026 .

Lombardy: €2 million CMO tender

New regional call for investments in the wine sector 2026-2027 aimed at the modernization of Lombardy wineries .

Digital wine tourism

Ascovilo launches a digital platform to promote Lombardy territories and wineries by integrating them into the national DOP economy .

The overall picture that emerges is interesting: Italian wine is in a strategic transition phase. Global consumption is slowing, the United States is showing signs of weakness, but at the same time , wine tourism, premiumization, and new European markets are growing.

In the language of corporate strategy – what entrepreneurs understand immediately – this means something very concrete: value is no longer generated only in the vineyard or in the bottle, but in the ecosystem that a winery builds around the wine .

Territory, hospitality, storytelling, visitor data, international brand.

Wine remains liquid, but the business around it is increasingly… multidimensional.

Style Selector
Select the layout
Choose the theme
Preset colors
No Preset
Select the pattern