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Wine press review for Wednesday January 7 -2026

with:

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

Italian wineries

Pievalta – Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi DOCG San Paolo Riserva 2022 Pievalta, an organic and biodynamic winery in the Marche region associated with Barone Pizzini, confirms the value of Verdicchio as a great terroir-based white wine. The 2022 Riserva San Paolo, produced only in the finest vintages, displays structure, elegance, and potential for development, strengthening the path toward a DOCG that increasingly reflects the Castelli di Jesi identity.

Aia dei Colombi Winery (Guardia Sanframondi) The Pascale family’s winery expands its range with white vermouth, red vermouth, and Aglianico chinato. This project stems from experimentation and a consistent agricultural and winemaking vision, capable of enhancing the vineyard beyond traditional wine.

Cantina Settecani closes 2025 with growth. The Modena-based cooperative closed 2025 with a turnover of €6.75 million (8.7%). Bottled wine, the domestic market, and especially exports are growing, now active in 33 countries, with strong growth in Asia and North America.

Montevetrano: enterprise, identity, and global markets The Campania winery is a prime example of Southern Italian success: an iconic wine born of passion and vision, capable of establishing itself on international markets while maintaining a strong territorial identity.

Novacella Abbey – Praepositus Wines A vertical tasting illustrates the value of time, place, and the historical continuity of one of Alto Adige’s most fascinating regions, where spirituality, terroir, and wine have coexisted for centuries.

Maremma Toscana Bevorosa 2024 – Arillo in Terrabianca A rosé designed for everyday consumption and food pairing, which interprets wine as a cultural gesture and not just a product, with a visual and stylistic language consistent with the company’s philosophy.

Cantina Produttori del Gavi: 75 years of activity. Alessandro Cazzulo confirmed as president for a second term. The historic cooperative celebrates 75 years by strengthening governance and continuity in one of Italy’s most established white appellations.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Will 2026 be the year of Lambrusco? According to Bloomberg analysis, wine is changing: less formality, more drinkability, more whites and sparkling wines. Lambrusco perfectly captures this shift in tone, in a context marked by climate, new consumption styles, and the pursuit of value.

Histoire d’O(risi): the Sicilian grape rediscovered. With the updated Terre Siciliane IGT regulations, orisi is officially back among the permitted varieties. This recovery of biodiversity demonstrates how Italy’s ampelographic heritage still holds the potential to surprise.

Sicily: A difficult 2025 but a positive outcome. Despite market challenges, Sicily remains a cornerstone of Italian wine, thanks to biodiversity, systemic planning, and the driving role of the Sicilia DOC.

Consumer Choices and Neuroscience: 85% of wine purchasing decisions are driven by visual and perceptual factors (label, packaging, price), only 15% by taste. This is a key finding for rethinking communication and positioning.

Wine inventories on the rise: strategies to rethink. Inventories are growing for the third consecutive year. Prosecco and Amarone are holding steady, but inventories of Pinot Grigio, Soave, and IGT are significantly increasing. The issue is not just production, but strategic and commercial.

Consumption declines in Tuscany. Wine consumption will decline by 15 to 20% in 2025. Consumption by the glass and attention to quality are growing. Less quantity, more selection: a structural, not a cyclical, sign.

Less alcohol, more awareness. The “drink less but drink better” trend continues to gain traction even during the holidays. New consumption habits require a rethinking of product offerings and formats.

International

A Sancerre sold out in the US thanks to Taylor Swift. A brief appearance in a documentary made the Sancerre from the Terres Blanches estate a media sensation: it sold out in the United States and sparked a surge in online searches. A powerful example of how pop culture and wine can be intertwined.

Wine clubs: subscription wine is worth $12.4 billion. The channel is growing thanks to personalization, storytelling, and algorithms. Interest in wine isn’t declining, but the way consumers are engaged is changing.

From Bordeaux to Sherry: wines to rediscover in 2026. According to the New York Times, the future also depends on the revival of underrated classics. Fashions fade, but quality remains.

Wine and Climate Change: According to the OIV, global production dropped 10% in 2023 due to extreme events. Italy, Spain, and South America were among the hardest hit. Climate is becoming a structural variable in the winemaking industry.

EU, CAP, and Mercosur: Brussels promises an additional €45 billion for agriculture in the 2028–2034 budget, paving the way for the Mercosur agreement. This decision will also have a direct impact on European wine.

Wine events

The Chianti Consortium on a mission to Nigeria. The first official mission to Africa for Chianti DOCG: 13 wineries in Lagos for an event with industry professionals, press, and importers. A strategic step toward new emerging markets.

Rotaria: Roero as told by the locals. An independent, self-funded initiative debuts in Pollenzo, focusing on the connection between wine and its territory, outside of traditional competitive logic.

Masi: a journey through the Venetian Territory. A tasting day dedicated to the group’s wineries, showcasing their historic identities and international vision.

Casa Isabella – La Cantina del Duca (Mottola) Reopens a space dedicated to wine as a cultural and emotional experience, in the spirit of hospitality and local storytelling.

Gastronomic Calabria: Restaurants Not to Miss The Ristoranti d’Italia 2026 guide depicts a mature Calabria, where cuisine, wineries, and short supply chains interact with growing awareness.

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

See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Tuesday January 6 -2026

with:

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

Italian wineries

Cantine Pellegrino 1880 – Nero d’Avola Gazzerotta 2022. The historic Marsala winery, now in its sixth generation, continues to be a cornerstone of Sicilian wine. With over 160 hectares of vineyards and a production exceeding 5 million bottles, Pellegrino maintains a solid business model, rooted in tradition yet market-oriented.

Tenuta San Leonardo abandons organic certification. The historic Trentino winery, led by Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, explains why it is abandoning organic certification: production losses of up to 30% annually have made the model economically unsustainable. This stance reopens the debate on agronomic and economic sustainability.

Tre Secoli Winery Wins DOCG Awards National and international recognition for its Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore “Sorangela” and Asti DOCG Extra Dry. This achievement reinforces the strategic role of Piedmontese cooperatives in safeguarding quality.

Cantina Settecani closes 2025 with an 8.7% increase. The Modena-based cooperative reported revenues of €6.75 million, driven by bottled wine and exports to 33 countries. Member deliveries are also growing, and grape yields remain above €50/q.

Fossa Mala: Kanada SpA sells Cantina RR to Rauscedo. An industrial transaction in western Friuli: the bottling company is transferred to Cantina Rauscedo, while the vineyards remain in Fossa Mala. An alliance focused on growth, innovation, and territorial development.

Alta Langa closes 2025 with a 10% increase in sales. Sales exceeded 2 million bottles. Members and vineyard areas are also growing. The domestic market remains central (85%), with future production already looking to 2028.

Farewell to Arnaldo Caprai. One of the great protagonists of modern Italian wine has passed away. Caprai transformed Sagrantino di Montefalco into an international brand, making a decisive contribution to the promotion of native grape varieties.

Barone Pizzini: art and wine with “Mantulì” The Franciacorta winery strengthens the dialogue between wine, culture, and territory, opening its doors to new artistic languages.

Cantina Biscardo narrates wine through videos, photos, and music. A cultural project that links wine production to the beauty of the visual and performing arts, as a key to contemporary wine narration.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Wine inventories in Italy are growing. At the end of November 2025, there were over 53 million hectoliters in cellars (8.6% compared to 2024). Abundant harvests and slowing consumption pose a structural question of the balance between production and the market.

Drink less, drink better: beyond Dry January. Moderation in consumption is becoming a cultural and stylistic choice. Wine is changing its role: less quantity, more meaning.

No and Low Alcohol: Italy at 1.8%, but growing. According to Antonio Paparella (Federico II University), the segment will also grow in Italy, following the US example. The challenge is communication, especially towards younger generations.

Frescobaldi: “Alcohol-free wine will grow.” With the new decree on alcohol-free wine, Italy fills a regulatory gap and opens up new competitive opportunities for companies.

Andrea Delpiano: the Barolo of the future. Less oak, more elegance and fruit. The Langhe winemaker shares an evolving vision of the style, influenced by the climate and changing tastes.

The 5 wine regions to be rediscovered in 2026: Mugello, Mandrolisai, Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Alta Campania, and Gamay del Trasimeno: “outsider” territories with strong potential for revitalization.

International

Wine and spirits e-commerce: signs of resilience After three years of decline, online sales are showing a moderate recovery: 3% in value expected between 2024 and 2029. Consumption, however, remains cautious.

Decanter: The 10 Italian “Wines of the Year 2025” From Franciacorta to Etna, a selection that confirms Italy’s qualitative leadership on international markets.

EU-Mercosur agreement nears completion. A market of 780 million consumers is at stake. French resistance remains, but Rome is moving closer to a yes.

Wine events, territories and wine culture

Valtellina to savor: A journey through terraced vineyards, cellars, shops, and an authentic gastronomic culture that intertwines wine, DOP cheeses, and Alpine traditions.

The Langhe: people, land, and wine. An emotional tale of one of the great classics of Italian wine, including Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero.

ViniVeri Assisi 2026 The seventh edition of the event dedicated to natural wine will take place in Assisi on January 12th, with 60 winemakers from all over Italy and abroad.

Arvesiniadu: the unique Goceano grape variety. A meeting in Bono dedicated to one of Italy’s rarest grape varieties, combining scientific research and historical memory.

Usini, home of Vermentino and Cagnulari. A tale of inland Sardinia where wine, oil, and agricultural identity intertwine.

Zap & Ida: When Wine Makes You Smile Culture, irony, and wine meet in the story of this pair of Bolognese comedians.

Abruzzo on the hunt for wine tourists. The Region approved the 2026–2028 plan to capture a portion of the 15 million wine tourists who generate nearly €3 billion in revenue.

Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.

Wine press review for Monday January 5 -2026

with:

Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

Italian wineries

Tenuta San Leonardo: organic certification suspended (for now). The Trentino winery explains its decision: significant production declines (-30% annually over the last three harvests) and the “industrial” cost of organic farming, deemed no longer sustainable under current conditions. Key issues: economic as well as agronomic sustainability.

Odoardi: Release of seizure and return to full operations (with clarifications). The Calabrian company is back in the hands of its owner. In parallel, the Scavigno Agricultural Consortium has published clarifications: the release cited by the press concerns an area/land associated with consortium restrictions, urging people not to confuse “release of seizure” with “resumption of operations” in the full sense.

Alex Maccan: From Furniture to Viticulture in Friuli (Le Monde and La Ponca) A story of a life-changing entrepreneurial career: from the furniture industry to the vineyards, a journey that unites vision, territory, and winemaking.

Farewell to Arnaldo Caprai (192?–2026): the man who transformed Sagrantino into a global brand. One of the protagonists of the promotion of Sagrantino di Montefalco: entrepreneurship, territorial vision, and building an international reputation, has passed away at the age of 92.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Italian wine inventories are growing: “Cantina Italia” reports high volumes. As of November 30, 2025: 53.4 million hectoliters (8.6% vs. November 30, 2024), 9.5 million hl of new wine in fermentation, and 9.7 million hl of must. This trend is interpreted in the context of different harvests (2023 poor, 2024 more generous, 2025 even more abundant) and slower sales/consumption (health concerns, tariffs, pressure on incomes).

Dealcoholized wines: Protopapa (Lega) calls for “regulatory clarity” to protect identities and denominations. The interministerial decree between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Health (MASAF) ushers in a more structured phase for the low/no alcohol segment. The political and operational message is: innovation is welcome, but with clear rules to avoid ambiguity regarding the positioning of Piedmontese and Italian wines.

Zibibbo (Moscato d’Alessandria): a Mediterranean grape variety, between history and identity. Cultural and agronomic insight: Zibibbo as a “bridge” between peoples, trade routes, agricultural techniques and traditions (Pantelleria as a symbol, but not only).

Grapur – “Italian Red Wine”: Sustainability told through packaging. Project 2025 by Mack & Schühle Italia (a joint venture between Mack & Schühle AG and Latentia). A broad supply chain (cooperatives and an extensive vineyard network) and a narrative/industrial approach: sustainability built from the ultra-lightweight bottle, cork, and materials (with partners such as Verallia and Nomacorc Ocean).

Tasting Notes: Primitivo di Manduria Dionysos 2010 (De Quarto) A wine “out of time” (in a good way): long maceration, no oak, released only at the ripeness deemed ideal by the producer. Very low sulfur content; broad and mature aromatic profile.

The Fiano that defies time: Fiano di Avellino Riserva 2015 (Di Meo) Focus on evolutionary capacity and taste tension: eight years in steel, refined in the bottle, with freshness still alive.

Falanghina identity: the Tenuta Le Albe project (Arturo Erbaggio) Portrait of a winemaker/agronomist who “sets up on his own” and builds an essential and territorial Falanghina (plot in Irpinia, project launch 2012).

International

France: Sweetening of still AOC wines, doctrine changes. From November 27, 2025: regulated opening to sensory profile correction in still AOC wines, with technical limitations (9 g/l limit, traceability, operational constraints). Impact for Italy: potential competitive pressure on the medium segments and, at the same time, an opportunity to reposition “Made in Italy” on transparency and the strength of the appellations.

The Academy (Vinexposium): training and data to understand global markets. Confirmation of its role as an international hub in 2025: sessions on the geopolitics of wine, consumption trends, strategies, and a focus on the blending theme as a possible industrial direction.

“Wine Flight” wine tourism experiences in the castle. Visit/tasting story: wine tourism as an experiential product (replicable format), with attention to scenography, hospitality and tasting itinerary.

Wine events

Palio del Groppello 2025: Saottini wins (2024 harvest). A historic first: debut and victory, and the first win for the Lonato del Garda area. A tradition since 1970, with the awards ceremony in Salò.

Triveneto Winemaking Hub: inauguration on January 31, 2026 (San Vito al Tagliamento). A new consortium governance hub promoted by Triveneta Certificazioni, with a conference entitled “Building Connections, Building the Future.” The goal: quality, traceability, and market competitiveness, with a networking approach between regions and control systems.

Tuglie (LE): “Nativity Scenes in the Village” and “Christmas in the Cellar” until January 6th. A calendar will be distributed among wineries and historic locations. A special presentation of the book “Generazione alternativa. 1991-1995” will be held at the Peparussu Winery (wine-related cultural event).

Agro-economic context and assets (supply chain focus)

Italian farmers’ income: growth above the EU average. Statements by the Minister of Agriculture: Masaf strategies on supply chains, generational turnover, and valorization (including through tourism and cultural recognition).

Agricultural land: “silent” value selection (data and levers). Average value in Italy: €22,400/ha (1%) with significant regional differences (the Northeast is at its highest). Drivers cited: logistics, water availability, structured supply chains, brand strength, and earnings potential. Tax note: revaluation of land (2025 Budget Law) with a substitute tax of 18% by November 30, 2025, through a certified appraisal.

Operations and market

Beverage Risk 2026: M&A Expectations in Italy. 2025 is described as a year of slower transactions compared to 2024 (more caution, longer evaluation and closing times), but with overall values still solid. Reading: a less “noisy” pipeline, but deals are possible for well-positioned assets with defensible numbers.

Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT. See you tomorrow.

Agricultural land: why some increase in value and others lose it

with:

Regulations, supply chains, and trends that are redrawing the value map.

Something less visible than a revolution, but much more impactful, is happening in the agricultural world: a silent selection of value.

Some lands are becoming increasingly sought-after, while others remain stagnant or are declining. This isn’t by chance, nor is it simply a matter of agronomic quality. What makes the difference today are the rules, supply chains, and consumption .

2024 captures this transition well. The average value of agricultural land in Italy reached €22,400 per hectare , a 1% increase. A modest but significant increase: after years, it outpaces inflation and signals that land is once again being viewed as an economic asset , not just an inherited legacy.

But talking about “land prices” in a generic sense is misleading. The market isn’t a single thing: it’s a constellation of local micro-markets, which react very differently to the same stimuli.

An increasingly polarized geography of value

The 2024 numbers show a clear divide:

  • Northeast : €47,100/hectare, the most expensive and competitive area
  • North-West : €35,200/hectare (2.3%)
  • Center : €15,100/hectare
  • South : €13,300/hectare (1.9%)
  • Islands : €8,600–9,000/hectare

These differences aren’t the result of market sentiment. They’re the result of concrete factors: logistics, water availability, the presence of structured supply chains, leading companies, strong brands, and the real possibility of turning land into income .

Where a major brand arrives, or where a denomination becomes a driving force, the landscape changes status. Where, however, a crop loses commercial appeal or is left out of the mainstream, its value tends to decline.

The 2025 signal: the market starts moving again

Another indicator deserves close attention. In the first half of 2025, sales showed a shift in pace:

  • –2% in the first quarter
  • 3.7% in the second quarter

It’s not a boom, but it’s a sign of a return to decision . After a long wait-and-see phase, investors and operators are beginning to evaluate concrete operations again. The main reasons are two:

  • CAP 2023–2027 , which offers a more stable framework for those investing in the medium to long term
  • More readable regulations , especially on the fiscal and patrimonial level

When the rules become less opaque, capital tends to come back into play.

Why land is worth (or isn’t worth) today

The value of a piece of land doesn’t depend on its size, but on its economic function within its context . The question to ask isn’t “how beautiful is it,” but: what can it realistically become in the next ten years?

The factors that have the greatest impact today are:

  • location and logistical accessibility
  • urban planning destination and constraints
  • water availability (often decisive)
  • inclusion in certified supply chains or strong brands
  • environmental and landscape constraints
  • exposure to climate risks
  • compatibility with energy or multifunctional projects

Land increases in value when it enters a credible economic narrative . It declines when it remains outside of the flows, or when it produces something the market no longer demands.

The fiscal lever that changes strategies: 2025 Budget Law

The real break comes at the regulatory level. With the 2025 Budget Law, the ability to revalue land for tax purposes becomes a structural possibility.

Owners of land owned as of January 1, 2025, can update the market value by paying a substitute tax of 18% (it was 16% in the previous two years).

Key conditions:

  • Expiration: November 30, 2025
  • certified appraisal drawn up by a qualified professional, based on technical-economic criteria

It’s not a technical detail: aligning tax value with real value changes the way we plan sales, generational transitions, corporate transactions, and investments . Land ceases to be an “uncertain” variable in the accounts.

Owners and investors: two different effects, same direction

For landowners, reassessment is a strategic assessment: updating today can reduce future rigidities . It’s not an automatic choice, but a tool to be evaluated with capital considerations.

For buyers, the effect is equally significant: more transparency means fewer negotiating deadlocks and greater fluidity in transactions. Real estate markets function better when values are legible.

Unused lands and new projects: the potential to change the map

In the long term, the real playing field is different. Italy has over 4 million hectares of uncultivated land and approximately 14,000 hectares of public land , with an estimated value of around 180 million euros .

Over €1 billion is planned for the 2024–2028 period for recovery, innovation, and sustainability, with a focus on young entrepreneurs and new management models.

If these policies become real projects, their value will not only depend on the initial price, but on the ability to transform the territory into a business , using modern tools: water management, technology, short supply chains, economic sustainability even before environmental sustainability.

It’s not a fad: it’s a phase change

The real turning point isn’t a single fact. It’s the changing climate:

  • prices that are holding up again
  • more stable tax rules
  • more selective investors
  • lands that are valuable if they are “useful” for something

Land is no longer an indistinct commodity. It has once again become a strategic choice , rewarding those who understand supply chains, anticipate consumption, and understand where major market flows are going—and where they are leaving.

My dad always told me, remember that the earth always gives you food!

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