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Wine press review for Friday July 31 -2026

with:

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

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Tommasi Family Estates focuses on growth through aggregation

The Verona-based group confirms its expansion strategy through acquisitions and a multi-brand portfolio, considered essential for competing on international markets.

Cantina Tollo expands its vineyard portfolio

Thanks to the “Vigneto Avanzato” project, the cooperative acquired 133 new hectares, exceeding its total of 2,490 hectares, ensuring greater profitability for its members and promoting native grape varieties.

Castignano finds stability again

President Omar Traini withdraws his resignation after the members’ unanimous support, confirming the continuity of management of the historic cooperative winery in the Marche region.

Ferraris Agricola grows despite the market

In the first six months of 2026, it recorded a 6% turnover and 15% share of Ruchè sales, confirming the good performance of the denomination.

Vigne Storte Winery

The Campania-based company continues to invest in sustainability, renewable energy, and promoting the local area through wines with strong identities.

Olianas Estate

The Sardinian winery consolidates its model based on biodynamics, regenerative agriculture, and the valorization of native grape varieties.

Centopassi

Libera Terra cooperatives confirm that quality winemaking, organic farming, and social commitment can coexist, creating economic and cultural value.

Cormòns Producers’ Cellar

The Pinot Bianco from the Friulian cooperative is considered among the best in Italy for its quality-price ratio, highlighting the work of over 100 winemaking families.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

The first wine guide was born in the Middle Ages

The first descriptions of Italian vines date back to the “Liber Ruralium Commodorum” by Pier de’ Crescenzi (1305), considered one of the first works dedicated to Italian oenology.

Restaurant markups: a proposal from Ricci Curbastro

The president of Equalitas proposes replacing the traditional multiplicative markup with a fixed margin, making prices more transparent and sustainable.

The bubbles that are the stars of summer

Among the best recommended labels are Italian Prosecco Superiore, Franciacorta, TrentoDoc, Durello, Lambrusco and Metodo Classico.

Summer 2026: Consumption of chilled red wines on the rise

A new market trend is emerging towards light, sparkling red wines consumed at low temperatures.

2026 harvest at historic lows

From Trapani to Franciacorta, the harvest begins 7-10 days early, confirming the effects of climate change.

Franciacorta: first harvest of July

For the first time in history, the grape harvest begins on July 30th, an event defined as extraordinary by the Consortium.

Passito di Pantelleria to President Mattarella

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Pantelleria National Park, the President of the Republic receives a commemorative bottle of the famous Passito DOC.

Agricultural Consortia of Italy Grows in the Northeast

A transaction worth more than €81 million has been completed with the entry of the Friuli Venezia Giulia and Treviso-Belluno Agricultural Consortia.

Vine defense

Technical meetings against Flavescence Dorée in Piedmont.

Powdery mildew is increasingly being fought with preventative strategies.

New multifunctional irrigation techniques improve the quality and resistance of grapes to heat.

Agriculture

A tax credit of up to 20% for agricultural diesel fuel is coming.

Hailstorms in Piedmont are compromising up to 80% of crops in some wine-growing areas.

INTERNATIONAL

Fires threaten Europe’s major vineyards

France and Spain are facing fires that are threatening wine production, with particular attention to the phenomenon of “smoke taint.”

The market for no- and low-alcohol wines is growing.

According to IWSR, strong growth in consumption continues in the main global markets, especially among younger consumers.

Champagne increasingly a protagonist of wine tourism

The Maisons and small vignerons are registering a growing international tourist interest.

Champagne: the earliest harvest in history

In France, too, climate change is bringing the grape harvest forward by about two weeks compared to the historical average.

The excellence of the Classic Method

An in-depth look at the best sparkling wines produced using the classic method, from Champagne to Italy’s major appellations.

WINE EVENTS

Wine Nights – Friuli Venezia Giulia

From July 31st to August 1st, events will take place in Corno di Rosazzo, Povoletto, Duino Aurisina, and Pocenia, featuring tastings and initiatives dedicated to wine culture.

Modena: a tasting tour of Emilian excellence

An experience dedicated to the great wines and typical products of Emilia-Romagna in the historic center of Modena.

Etna protagonist

The “Vulcano, Vineyards, and Hospitality” masterclass highlights Carricante and the connection between wine, territory, and wine tourism.

Valtidone Wine Fest 2026

Four Sundays in September dedicated to the wines of the Piacenza Hills, with tastings, shows, and events in the villages of the Tidone Valley.

OltreGusto 2026

Oltrepò Pavese hosts two evenings dedicated to the area’s gastronomic identity, featuring local chefs, restaurants, and wineries.

The most relevant news of the day

The 2026 harvest was brought forward throughout Italy, marking the first July harvest in Franciacorta’s history.
Tommasi Family Estates confirms its growth model through aggregation and multi-branding.
Cantina Tollo expands its vineyard area with another 133 hectares.
No and Low Alcohol wines are growing in the main international markets.
Fires in France and Spain are putting some of Europe’s most important wine-growing areas at risk.
A tax credit for agricultural diesel fuel is now available, and investments in vineyard protection and agronomic innovation continue.

See you at the next show.

Trends of the Week – Italian Wine – July 27-31 – 2026

with:

Italian wine seeks a new balance: less quantity, more value and new markets.

The week ends with a complex picture, but one rich in strategic indications for the entire wine sector.
While the slowdown in consumption, rising inventories, and price pressure continue to weigh heavily, emerging signs confirm that the market is not experiencing a generalized crisis, but rather a profound transformation.

The strongest denominations, the sparkling wines and the wines capable of building value continue to demonstrate a greater capacity to resist, while international markets are beginning to offer new opportunities.

Exports: slowdown confirmed, but not for everyone

International wine trade continues to suffer from weak global demand.

In the first four months of 2026, exports of Italian PDO wines stopped at around 1.5 billion euros (-6.2%) , with a 3% reduction in volumes.

The situation concerns all the main European producing countries:

Italy -6.2%
France -3.4%
Germany -5.5%
Spain -8.5%

Traditional red wines are the ones that suffer the most, while sparkling wines and white wines confirm a decidedly superior capacity for keeping.

Prosecco continues to make a difference

Once again, Prosecco represents the main positive exception in the Italian panorama.

Despite recording a slight decline, it maintains extremely high volumes and continues to be the most exported Italian wine in the world.

A university study published this week also demonstrates how the international success of Spritz has contributed significantly to the growth of Prosecco exports.

This is an important confirmation: today, the value of a wine depends not only on the quality of the product, but also on its ability to enter the international consumer culture.

Cellars still full: the issue of production planning is growing.

One of the most relevant data of the week concerns inventories.

As of June 30, 2026, Italian cellars hold:

46.5 million hectoliters of wine
6.7% compared to 2025
over 56% of the stocks concentrated in Northern Italy

Prosecco DOC alone represents over 10% of all wine present in Italian cellars .

Rising inventories are fueling confrontation among major industry organizations.

On the one hand, the Italian Wine Union proposes a reduction in production potential and greater control of yields.

On the other hand, Federvini believes it is a priority to boost demand through promotion, communication, and valorization of Italian wine.

The real challenge will probably be finding a balance between these two strategies.

Prices still under pressure

The market continues to show strong weakness.

In June, the average price of wine recorded a further drop of 2.9% on an annual basis.

The high product availability, combined with still cautious demand, keeps pressure on companies’ margins high.

For many companies, it is therefore becoming increasingly important to shift competition from price to value.

Fine Wine: The first positive signs are arriving.

Among the most encouraging news of the week is the investment wine market.

According to Liv-Ex:

Fine Wine indices show a progressive stabilization;
interest from US buyers is growing;
some big labels are starting to increase in value again.

It’s not a real recovery yet, but the market seems to have overcome the most difficult phase.

LVMH confirms the recovery of the premium segment

Another important signal comes from luxury.

In the first half of 2026, the Champagne & Wines division of the LVMH group recorded organic growth of 7% , driven mainly by Champagne and high-end wines.

The data confirms that the premium segment continues to attract consumers even in a complex economic phase.

For Italian wine, this represents a clear indication: quality, brand, and positioning remain decisive factors.

NoLo: From Niche to New Opportunity

The NoLo (No & Low Alcohol) wine and aperitif market continues to accelerate.

Mionetto has recorded growth of over 110% in its non-alcoholic sparkling wines and is strengthening its presence in a segment expected to grow especially among Millennials and Generation Z.

The phenomenon does not replace traditional wine, but it expands consumption opportunities and opens up new market spaces.

United States: tariffs remain an unknown quantity

The introduction of new US tariffs keeps uncertainty high for European wine.

The new rates are less penalizing than initially hypothesized, but the sector continues to monitor the evolution of American trade policies closely.

The United States remains the main market in terms of value for Italian wine.

Canada strengthens its strategic role

Among the most positive news of the week is the Canadian market.

Italian wine imports continue to grow, and Vinitaly, ICE, and Veronafiere are stepping up their promotional activities in North America.

Canada confirms itself as one of the markets with the best prospects for premium Italian wines.

Major producers: we need to change our language

During VinoVip 2026, four leading figures in the history of Italian wine—Antinori, Gaja, Boscaini, and Maculan—sent a shared message.

The sector must:

better communicate the cultural value of wine;
dialogue with the new generations;
avoid competing solely on price;
invest more in quality, identity and international reputation.

A message that perfectly sums up the phase the sector is going through

Wine press review for Thursday July 30 -2026

with:

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

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector.

Italian Wineries

2026 harvest without official forecasts. For the first time, Assoenologi, UIV, and Ismea are abandoning the traditional September estimates. Climate instability makes forecasts too uncertain, and data will only be released at the end of the harvest.

Riccardo Cotarella: The sector needs to be rebalanced. The president of Assoenologi (Italian Wine Association) proposes a temporary halt to new vineyards, reduced yields, targeted uprooting, and crisis distillation to address overproduction, declining consumption, and struggling exports. Harvest begins early. The first harvests are already underway in Sicily, Franciacorta, Oltrepò Pavese, and the Vicenza area. Weather conditions have accelerated grape ripening, and quality expectations are positive, despite a challenging year. Cantina Tollo grows with the “Vigneto Avanzato” (Advanced Vineyard). The Abruzzo-based cooperative is expanding its vineyard holdings by 133 hectares, introducing a model that remunerates members based on the area cultivated, rather than the quintals produced. DOC Friuli towards Ribolla Gialla still and Rosé. The Consortium has begun modifying the regulations to expand the designation, following evolving international demand. Berlucchi invests in the Oltrepò Pavese. Paolo Ziliani aims to enhance the area, following the successful model established in Franciacorta through quality and collaboration between producers. Quagliano, the rebirth of the Saluzzo hills. New wineries led by young winemakers are reviving this historic Piedmontese grape variety with organic and strongly territorial viticulture.

Italian Wine and Oenology

European Exports Continue to Decline. In the first four months of 2026, Italy recorded a 6.2% decline in exports of PDO wines. White and sparkling wines held up better, while red wines continued to suffer on international markets.

Too Much Wine in the Cellar Inventories reach record levels: approximately 59 million hectoliters in Italy. Calls to reduce production potential are growing, and uprooting is no longer considered taboo. Red Even in Summer. Winemaker Graziana Grassini recalls how climate change has made many red wines softer and fresher, even ideal when served at 14-16°C during the summer season. Costaripa Relaunches Rosé Culture. Rosé is presented as an expression of dedicated viticulture and a territorial identity built over over a century of history in Valtènesi. Experiences and Territory . Stories continue dedicated to organic viticulture in Friuli, the cellars of Collio, the monasteries that still produce wine, Piedmontese wines for aperitifs, and restaurants nestled among the vineyards of the Langhe. Inspections at Cantine Aperte. In the Montefalco area, a winery was reported for organizing a public performance without the necessary permits during the event.

International Markets

Louis Roederer enters Burgundy The historic Champagne group acquires Domaine Pierre Damoy, its first investment in Burgundy in its 250-year history.

An 1811 Riesling up for auction An extremely rare bottle from Weingut Bassermann-Jordan is being offered on Catawiki with an estimate between 10,000 and 13,000 euros.

Wine Events

Franciacorta in Cantina Festival From September 18th to 20th, tastings, visits, and meetings with producers to promote the Franciacorta region and culture.

Wine Nights in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Four events featuring tastings, music, culture, and the promotion of regional food and wine excellence. Città del Vino International Wine Competition. The Piedmontese wineries that won the international competition for denomination wines will be awarded in Casale Monferrato. Piacenza Expo 2026 Wine Fair launches a photography contest dedicated to vineyard work and the culture of conviviality, open to professional and amateur photographers. Le Manzane opens registration for the Solidarity Harvest. The traditional charity event among the vineyards of Conegliano Valdobbiadene returns, scheduled for September 6th.

In summary

The day is dominated by three main themes:

2026 harvest : unpredictable weather, early harvest, and abandonment of official estimates.
Wine market : exports still declining, high inventories and demand to rebalance production potential.
Positive signs : investments in major denominations, growth in wine tourism, new regulations, and the promotion of local areas through cultural events and initiatives.

See you at the next show.

Wine press review for Wednesday July 29 -2026

with:

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

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector.

Italian Wineries

Novacella Abbey: 900 Years of History in the Sylvaner Alps

Novacella Abbey confirms Sylvaner as the iconic wine of the Isarco Valley, recounting nearly nine centuries of South Tyrolean viticulture.

Venica & Venica looks to new markets

The historic Collio winery is responding to the slowdown in consumption and international markets by focusing on exports, innovation, and new products in preparation for its centenary in 2030.

Cantina del Taburno relaunches the Sannio region

After acquiring the cooperative, Enzo Rillo invested over 10 million euros with the goal of increasing production from 1 to 5 million bottles.

Cantina Tollo expands its vineyard portfolio

The group acquires 133 hectares of new vineyards, strengthening its project to promote Abruzzo winemakers.

Alessio Atzeni presents the first Vermentino

“Crabì” is born, the first Vermentino di Sardegna DOC from the Santadi winery, alongside the historic Carignano del Sulcis.

Farewell to Emidio Pepe

One of the great pioneers of Italian winemaking, a key figure in the international promotion of Montepulciano and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, has passed away at the age of 94.

Italian Wine and Oenology

Exports slow, but Prosecco continues to grow

The sector is undergoing a transformation: consumption and exports are declining, inventories are increasing, while Prosecco continues to represent a positive exception.

Sicily: The 2026 grape harvest begins

The Sicilia DOC begins a harvest that will last approximately 90 days. Winter rains predict a high-quality vintage.

Early harvest throughout Italy

Veneto, Oltrepò Pavese, Maremma, San Colombano, and Franciacorta are seeing early harvests up to ten days thanks to the high temperatures. Quality is promising, but quantity remains to be determined.

Sandro Bottega: they serve dealcoholized wines

To reduce surpluses and attract new consumers, the Veneto producer identifies dealcoholization as one of the sector’s main future opportunities.

Drink in moderation

Scientific evidence confirms that risk depends on the amount of alcohol consumed. Experts promote a culture of responsible drinking.

Sulfites and driving

A university study analyzes the influence of sulfites on driving, but urges caution when interpreting the results.

Red in summer

More and more producers are offering fresh, light red wines served at low temperatures, adapting to new summer drinking styles.

Red wine even in summer

Winemaker Graziana Grassini highlights how climate change has made many reds softer and more suitable for the warmer months.

CIA Umbria: a strategy is needed

The sector requires long-term structural planning and no longer emergency interventions.

International

Champagne: Joseph Perrier presents Les Chalmonts 2020

The Maison completes its parcel collection with a 100% Chardonnay Premier Cru from Cumières.

Wales moves towards first natural wine denomination

Welsh producers are working on the possible first Geographical Indication dedicated exclusively to natural wines.

Nomacorc Ocean

Bottle caps made from plastic recovered from coastal waters continue to spread across wineries around the world, contributing to the circular economy and protecting the oceans.

The Future of Wine According to Julien Viaud

The French winemaker predicts lower global production but increasingly higher quality, with new wine-growing areas set to emerge.

Wine Events

The Nights of Wine – Castelvetro

Lambrusco, food, music, and stargazing enliven one of the most anticipated events of the Emilian summer.

Goblets of Stars – Monteforte d’Alpone

Soave meets seafood cuisine in two evenings dedicated to tastings, shows, and music.

The Nights of Wine – Oristano

Vernaccia di Oristano is the star of an event dedicated to wine, culture, and the region’s finest products.

Morbegno in the Cellar

Three weekends dedicated to Valtellina wines with tastings, e-bike tours, wellness experiences, and alcohol-free itineraries.

Franciacorta Festival in the Cellar

From September 18th to 20th, wine tourism becomes a cultural experience, with visits, meetings, and insights into the area.

Innovation, sustainability and agriculture

The “Coltiviamo Agricoltura Sociale 2026” call for proposals is now open, with grants of up to €40,000 for social agriculture projects.
Nomacorc Ocean continues to expand its circular economy project, recovering nearly 8 tons of plastic in 2025 alone.
There is growing attention to sustainability, organic production, innovation, and new production models throughout the winemaking supply chain.

Featured today

Italian wine exports still under pressure.
Prosecco and sparkling wines continue to support the market.
The 2026 harvest was one of the earliest in decades.
Generally very good grape quality, with uncertainties regarding yields.
Increasing attention to sustainability, dealcoholized wines, innovation, and wine tourism.
The sector is undergoing a phase of structural transformation that requires new commercial and production strategies.

See you at the next show.

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