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Wine Report of November 2 2025

Today’s wine and cellar trends

Key points

  • The 2025 Italian harvest is estimated at around 47.4 million hl , 8% compared to 2024: good health of the grapes and generally high quality.
  • Italian wine exports in the first half of 2025 grew by 1.5% in value (~€2.8 billion) and 2.1% in volume (~703.5 million liters). However, the US market is showing significant weakness, with conditions deteriorating in the second half of the year.
  • The bulk wine market in Italy is showing signs of price pressure: despite declining volumes, value is holding up thanks to a slight increase in the average price (~€0.78/litre) but with evident oversupply.
  • Grape prices in some Italian regions are dropping sharply: in Umbria, for example, Sangiovese 2025 is quoted between €26-30/quintal, Merlot/Cabernet between €28-30/quintal, while Sagrantino DOCG is recording much higher values (€100-140/q).
  • Globally, innovation is also entering the wine sector: a recent study highlights how AI, sensors, and Industry 4.0 technologies are gaining ground in vineyards, production, and wine tourism.
  • The regulatory/trade environment presents challenges: US tariff action, the strength of the euro, and Italy’s need to diversify its export markets (Asia, South America) are the order of the day.

M&A Radar

OperationParties involvedSize (if available)GeographySource data
Purchase of the “Valle Talloria” site (Piedmont)Caffo Group 1915 acquires from Italian Wine Brands SpAnot disclosedIT (Piedmont)October 13, 2025
Sale of Cinzano Frattina brands from Campari Group to Caffo GroupCampari → Caffo~€100 millionITJune 26, 2025
Calmére Estate (Napa, USA) Acquired by Chinese Investor

Prices & Harvest – Mini Box

  • Italy 2025 harvest : ~47.4 million hl (≈ 8% vs 2024) Some regions choose to contain volumes (e.g. Tuscany 2.4 million hl compared to 2.7 million in 2024) to preserve quality.
  • Grape prices :
    • Umbria: Sangiovese ~€26-30/100 kg; Merlot/Cabernet ~€28-30/100 kg; Sagrantino DOCG ~€100-140/100 kg.
    • Veneto/Vicenza DOC: DOC grapes approximately €40-60/quintal in 2025.
  • Bulk wine market : In Italy, stable value (~€1.2 billion) despite a slight drop in volumes, average price ~€0.78/litre (2.1%) indicative of the segment.
  • Weather/Quality Notes : Grapes generally healthy, high concentration, very good quality. However, drought risks persist in some areas (southern Italy).

Wine Report of November 1 2025

Wineries, wines, and the general trend of Italian wine.

Italy’s 2025 harvest : estimated 47.4 million hl (8% vs. 2024), good-excellent quality; Italy likely to be number one in volume. (Assoenologi-UIV-ISMEA, 10 September 2025 ).

Italian exports 1st half of 2025 : picture “in precarious balance”: -0.4% in value, -3.1% in volume (Istat WineNews analysis, 11 September 2025 ); in the USA January-July -1.1% in value with falling price/litre ( 18 September 2025 ).

Global scenario : OIV publishes focus on re-exports as a driver of global flows ( 9 Oct 2025 ). France cuts harvest estimate due to heat wave (36 mln hl, -1% y/y ) ( 7 Oct 2025 ).

Regulation/Labeling : Ireland postpones health labels until 2028 (positive response from CEEV, July-October 2025 ). In the EU, e-labels/QRs for ingredients and nutritional information, introduced in 2024, remain in force.

Awards & Ranking : At the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, Italy obtains 6 “Best in Show” (including Terlano, Donnachiara, Donnafugata) ( 18 June 2025 ). At the International Wine Challenge 2025, the trophies and the English overtaking in the sparkling wines stand out ( May-Oct 2025 ).

Finance/credit : CDP and Finint subscribe to minibonds for Feudi di San Gregorio (€5 million in total, 21 October 2025 ).

M&A radar (deal/rumor • parties • size • geography • source)

  • AcquisitionCASTEL‑Vins Tannico (originators: Campari & Moët Hennessy ) • nd • IT/FR20 Oct 2025 .
  • AcquisitionTenuta Ulisse Montevetrano • nd • IT (Campania)19 Sep 2025 .
  • Asset dealCalmére Estate (Carneros, Napa) sold to Chinese investor • $16.8 million in cashUSAmid-Oct 2025 / two weeks ago .
  • Sale of brands (wine & vermouth)Campari Caffo 1915 ( Cinzano, Frattina ) • €100 million , closing expected by 2025 • IT26 Jun 2025 .
  • Italy (Friuli)Fossa Mala sells Cantina RR for use by Cantina Rauscedo (rental of branches and systems) • nd • 22 Oct / news 20h ago .

Prices & Harvest (flash)

Grapes 2025 (wholesale, €/kg, unless otherwise stated)

  • Piedmont (Cuneo) : Nebbiolo Barolo 3.00–3.21; Barbaresco 1.91–3.39; Barbera d’Alba 1.00–1.34. (Latest update from the Chamber of Commerce portal; historical series, 2024 as the base; 2025 being surveyed).
  • Piedmont (Alessandria-Asti, 9 October 2025, official price list) : examples: Moscato DOCG 1.10–1.25; Alta Langa DOC 1.40–1.70; Dolcetto 0.50–0.65.
  • Umbria : Chamber of Commerce reports drop in grape prices of up to ‑30/‑33% vs 2024. ( 18 Oct 2025 ).

Bulk/bottled wines (origin)

  • Doc/Docg ISMEA examples (September 2025): Nebbiolo d’Alba €170/hl ( -20.9% y/y ); Moscato bianco €147.5/hl (stable).
  • Igp/Igt Italia (Sep 2025): whites €6.19/hectograde ( -2.6% m/m; 9.5% y/y ), reds/rosés €6.75/hectograde (stable m/m; -4.9% y/y ).
  • Verona – Commodity Exchange (Oct 2025) : first Soave DOC and Garda Chardonnay prices; active weekly price lists.
  • Global bulk market (Oct 2025) : Ciatti report points to still weak activity in several areas; price competition is high.

Inventory & Weather

  • Italian inventories : 36 million hl as of 30 September 2025 (down vs. July).
  • EU Weather : Heatwave in France impacts yields; Champagne bucks trend, Beaujolais hits multi-year lows. ( 7 Oct 2025 ).

Bottega (Prosecco): ‘U.S. Blockade Will Cause Zero Alcohol Market Boom’

“The alcohol-free wine market has grown by 500% in the last 5 years, and the US blockade, which is causing damage of over 300 million euros (UIV estimates) to the export of our wines, is expected to lead to a 400% boom in the alcohol-free wine market in the next 5 years, also thanks to a strong increase in demand from Muslim countries.

Alcohol-free products (500% from 2021) are a new frontier for Muslims and Gen Z.

“Demand for kosher wine will also increase, estimated at 100%,” estimates Prosecco entrepreneur Sandro Bottega, head of the eponymous Veneto winery. “At a time when trade is being impacted by protectionist pressures, I emphasize the need to strengthen our presence in Muslim countries, which contain some of the most interesting alternative markets. Our winery in Bibano di Godega (TV) has also distinguished itself in the production of alcohol-free products, which have grown by approximately 500% over the past five years (2021-2025) and will increase by 400% over the next five years. This is a niche market for which further growth is expected in the near future, which will help offset the potential reduction in turnover caused by US tariffs,” commented Veneto wine entrepreneur Sandro Bottega.

Sandro Bottega, president of Bottega Spa, adds: “Bunches of grapes from the same vineyard can be used to make a kosher sparkling wine or, alternatively, a halal, alcohol-free sparkling drink. My greatest hope is that these two products can convey a message of peace and bring together, with a symbolic toast, two civilizations with thousands of years of history behind them.” Bottega continues: “Finally, for a few years now, we have been producing two wines, a limoncino and an alcohol-free amaro. These products are a different, yet not antithetical, expression of our tradition and are aimed primarily at Generation Z. I would also like to raise a toast to them, to unite, beyond demographics, the different age groups and strengthen a dialogue that has seemed somewhat tarnished for some time.”

“Today more than ever, the word peace is necessary to restore common sense and normality to the consciences of some of the world’s greats. Greed and ego have led us to an unlikely situation where 80 years of civilization, reasonableness and progress have been lost. We can do very little except offer governments around the world our “Wine of Peace” and produce both traditional sparkling wines, sparkling wines with Halal or Kosher certifications, and No/low alcohol versions for Generation Z. In short: technology, passion and a lot of naturalness to bring a toast of peace across the planet. We have always shown a sincere interest in all cultures, fully respecting the religious, ethical and cultural dictates of different peoples. The fruits of the earth, such as grapes, lemons, alpine herbs, are a common heritage, regardless of the latitude of origin, and lend themselves to being processed and transformed in different ways. It should therefore not be surprising that Bottega is able to produce, even in compliance with Kosher parameters and Halal modality, with the achievement of the respective certifications from the competent religious authorities in the matter”, concluded Sandro Bottega, wine entrepreneur at the head of the historic company Bottega SpA of Bibano (TV), among the leaders in Italy for the production of Prosecco

Wine Trends in Italy – Week of October 27-31 2025

The Italian wine sector is experiencing a period of reflection and transformation, not crisis.

The central message emerging from this week’s events and data is clear: the future of Italian wine depends on the ability to work together and communicate better.

During the 2025 Fisar National Congress , hosted at the Library of the Chamber of Deputies, the sector’s most authoritative voices—from Riccardo Cotarella to Michele Zanardo and Roberto Donadini —reiterated that Italy remains the world’s largest producer and the most diverse winemaking industry, but that more unified and strategic communication is needed to strengthen its international positioning. The new US tariffs and a temporary slowdown in exports—also due to the “stock effect” of American importers—do not constitute a structural risk, but rather a phase of market rebalancing.

The value of the wine system remains robust: according to ISMEA data, the European market now represents approximately 40% of total exports, while the Food Industry Monitor Observatory confirms an improvement in revenues (2.5%) and profitability (ROS 5.9%, ROIC 5.3%) for 2024, with widespread financial solidity and low average debt (1.04). The sector is moving towards a structural transformation : distribution and market management now weigh more heavily than agricultural production alone.

At the same time, the 2026 guide “The Best 100 Wines and Winemakers of Italy,” authored by Luciano Ferraro and James Suckling , highlighted the generational shift underway: young producers like Chiara Pepe and Orlando Rocca stand alongside historic masters, embodying a “best of youth” of Italian wine that combines roots, innovation, and sustainability. At the top of the quality rankings are Bruno Giacosa’s Barbaresco Asili Riserva 2021 , Valdicava ‘s Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva 2019 , and GB Burlotto’s Barolo Monvigliero 2021 , all awarded 100/100.

On the international front, there is growing attention to the phenomenon of re-export , which annually moves 14 million hectoliters of wine and over €4.5 billion. Hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are proving to be strategic hubs of global trade. As Laura Mayr (UIV) emphasizes, re-export represents a lever for efficiency but also a challenge for transparency and value for Italian wine.

Nationally, events like GiovinBacco – Sangiovese in festa in Ravenna confirm the vitality of the local production system. Small producers, with little exposure to exports, report stable sales and domestic demand driven by quality and local tradition. However, declining restaurant consumption and growing competition from low-alcohol or “alternative” beverages (such as ready-to-drink cocktails and cannabis-infused drinks) highlight the need to rethink communication and relationships with younger consumers .

Economically, Italy stands out for its price dynamics, among the most moderate in Europe: 7.4% in ten years , according to the American Association of Wine Economists , compared to record increases such as 92% in Croatia or 1,581% in Turkey. This is a sign of equilibrium, testifying to a competitive sector capable of containing the effects of inflation.

In short, Vigneto Italia enters a new era of consolidation, innovation, and collective responsibility. The future lies in a more cohesive supply chain, a shared narrative, and a greater ability to transform wine from an agricultural product into a cultural and industrial symbol of the country . As Riccardo Cotarella reminds us: “Italian wine has been reborn many times. It will be able to do so again, if we can tell its story together.”

 

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