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Wine press review for Tuesday December 9 – 2025

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Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.

A common thread ties everything together: a sector undergoing a transformation, with new strategies, market pressures, stories of places and people, and a calendar of events that continues to energize the wine community.

Italian wineries

Argea and the Risk Game of Italian Wine. The group led by Massimo Romani continues to expand, even in a year marked by tariffs and volatility. After the acquisition of the American importer WinesU and its nomination as Best Importer 2025 by Wine Enthusiast, Argea confirms its mission: to grow in size, solidity, and ability to seize M&A opportunities. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) decree on the first dealcoholization plant in Italy is pending.

Moncalisse: the new “mountain” winery for Trentodoc is born. Julia and Karoline Walch are launching their own winemaking project in Civezzano, separate from the Elena Walch brand. Located at 600 meters above sea level, it faces south and has an identity that blends terroir and the elegance of the classic method.

Cantina Terre del Barolo celebrates its vineyard workers. An artistic roundabout, two hands—one white, one black—and a bunch of grapes: a clear message in an increasingly international region. A tribute to the foreign workers who keep the Langhe winemaking tradition alive.

Tenuta Argentiera: a dialogue between wine, art, and the land. On the hills overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the estate hosts three works by Giuseppe Bergomi as part of the “Arte Diffusa sulla Costa Toscana” (Widespread Art on the Tuscan Coast) project. A virtuous blend of landscape, culture, and hospitality.

Muzic Winery: A Border Tradition That Continues to Grow In San Floriano del Collio, the Muzic family continues a story that began in 1927. Today, two generations collaborate on quality and sustainability, with an eye to the future.

Taste the Territory – Tenuta San Vito Takes Center Stage. Caffè Centofiori in Montelupo Fiorentino hosts the fourth stop of the initiative dedicated to local wineries. San Vito presents five wines paired with five dishes, revealing its identity amidst Chianti Colli Fiorentini and organic olive growing.

Castello di Gussago shines at the Merano WineFestival Four WineHunter Awards for Animapura 2018, Pomaro 2018, Club Cuvée 2019 and Nobleblanc SA A confirmation of the qualitative strength of Franciacorta production.

Cantina Frentana grows despite tariffs and declining consumption. A positive year for the Abruzzo-based cooperative, which consolidates its merger with Cantina San Giacomo and exceeds 650 members. A sign of cooperative resilience in a challenging environment.

Gaierhof, three sisters and a low-alcohol model that sets standards. In Roverè della Luna, the Togn family is spearheading an innovative, all-female project. A product-focused business that combines family history with new insights into moderate drinking.

Cusumano Brut 700 Metodo Classico 2021 From vineyards at 700 meters, an elegant classic method that celebrates Tenuta Ficuzza: free-run must, refermentation in the bottle and 36 months on the lees.

Tenuta Stella – Reserves for an “alto Collio” Christmas Ribolla Gialla, Friulano and Merlot Riserva make up the Luxury Christmas 2026 Collection : organic, artisanal and profoundly territorial wines.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Prosecco DOC: green light for 6,000 new hectares. Veneto and Friuli have authorized an increase in production potential to meet demand pressure. The total area will reach 30,500 hectares, with growth in two phases.

Kaolin or zeolite? Natural choices for crop health. Both permitted in organic farming, these two minerals offer different functions: kaolin acts as a physical and protective barrier, while zeolite supports moisture management and canopy health.

Grape prices are plummeting: 2025 will be the “year of the collapse.” Prices are down as much as 40% for some appellations. Production is rising, consumption is declining, exports are slowing, and inventories are high: a combination that is crushing winemakers and putting strain on the supply chain.

CMO Wine: EU agreement on simplifications and new labeling. Coldiretti expresses satisfaction: no five-year restrictions for those who uproot vineyards, greater transparency for dealcoholized wines, and more flexibility in support programs.

The taste of moderation: drinking less, drinking better. Stada Health Report and NielsenIQ converge: the majority of Europeans are pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Conscious consumption is gaining ground, and demand for premium wines and guided experiences is growing.

Bringing wine to dinner? A gesture worth rereading. A provocative article overturns a social custom: bringing wine can create unwanted dynamics of reciprocity. If you really want to give something, olive oil is better.

Archè 2020: Francesco Saverio Russo’s glasses are back with free shipping. A collection born during lockdown, now a benchmark for high-end artisanal glassware. A project in collaboration with VDglass.

International

Champagne: Between Perpetual Reserve and Solera, Clarity Is Needed. Alice Paillard clearly distinguishes the two practices: the solera as a closed oxidative system, the perpetual as a continuous evolutionary method. Two different philosophies that are often confused in commercial narratives.

Italy is a superstar in international blind tastings. One in four tastings sees Italian wines win, including in the bulk wine category. This is a sign of widespread quality, not just among the elite.

Denmark: “A Glass of Italy” returns. In January 2026, over 25 Italian wineries will be featured in Copenhagen, with Vermentino masterclasses and tastings open to the public and professionals.

Wine events and local culture

EiM – The Landscapes of Soave: A Hike Through Stone and Vineyards On December 7th, a guided tour of the volcanic hills of Soave, exploring geology, history, and viticulture.

Introductory wine courses in Barberino di Mugello. Starting February 6, 2026, six meetings with tastings will teach you the basics of wine and promote responsible consumption.

Conclusion

Thanks for listening: today’s press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . The sector continues to move in multiple directions: production complexities, new consumer aesthetics, and industrial strategies that are rewriting the map. Tomorrow brings another chapter to this great story.

Updated wine report with projections for the period December 1 – 2025 – March 31 – 2026.

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Based on the latest news and data available as of early December 2025 — with projections for the period December 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026.

Current situation: global and Italian context.

Production and global market

  • After the production crisis of recent years, global wine production appears to be recovering slightly: volumes are estimated to increase in 2025 compared to 2024, although remaining below the five-year average.
  • However, global demand continues to show fragility: inflation, economic uncertainty and changes in consumption (greater attention to health and lifestyle) are compressing both volumes and spending on wine.
  • In this context, segments such as premium sparkling wines, organic wines, or products with a strong territorial identity are identified as the main opportunities for maintaining value and margins.

Scenario for Italy

  • Italy confirms its world leadership in export volumes, with estimates of approximately 22 million hectoliters exported by 2025.
  • The value of exports remains high: it is estimated to be around 8.1–8.2 billion euros in 2025.
  • Despite this, exports showed signs of weakness in 2025: data updated in July indicate a decline of -0.9% in value and -3.4% in volume compared to the same period of the previous year.
  • At the same time, domestic consumption continues to be weak and in slow but steady decline compared to previous generations, reflecting a change in consumption styles and a less frequent “everyday” wine consumption.

Trends driving the industry – and strategic “guidelines” for 2026

Based on recent data and market evolution, some structural trends emerge that I expect will characterize the period December 2025 – March 2026, and probably beyond:

  • Premiumization and valorization of territorial identity : wines with a strong identity (DOC/DOCG, sparkling wines, white wines, superior quality) maintain better potential than “commodity wines”. In particular, sparkling wines and white wines seem to better capture new preferences.
  • Diversification of offerings and packaging : alternative formats, organic or sustainable wines, and a greater focus on sustainability and perceived value (not just “quantity,” but experience, quality, and storytelling) as a competitive lever.
  • Market polarization and the need to reduce dependence on a few large buyers/areas : as highlighted by overall agri-food exports, geographic concentration (a few countries absorb the majority of Italian wine) remains a vulnerability.
  • Adapting to changing consumer trends : consumers today increasingly seek authenticity, sustainability, and territorial authenticity; “everyday” wine is losing ground, while demand for wine as an experience, a story, and a lifestyle grows.

Implications for wineries and for those of us who offer strategic consultancy

For a winery or for a valorization / acquisition / sale operation, these dynamics suggest:

  • Focus on premium and identity labels : in a market with abundant supply and selective demand, differential value weighs more than volume.
  • Consider geographical diversification of exports : focus not only on traditional large markets but also explore less saturated countries or niches, reducing the risk of dependence on a few markets.
  • Promote sustainability, transparency, and brand history : the modern consumer seeks authenticity and perceived value, not just low price.
  • Integrate the offering with experience and services : wine tourism, storytelling, direct-to-consumer, packaging and differentiated products can increase perceived value and loyalty.
  • Carefully manage inventory, stock, and cash flow : 2025 has shown that production is okay, but the market is selective — rigorous financial and commercial planning will be a competitive advantage.

Forecast 1 December 2025 – 31 March 2026 (continuity line)

  • Italian exports are expected to remain close to 2025 levels, with potential stabilization or slight growth, especially if wineries successfully position themselves on quality and identity.
  • The “mainstream low-price” segment will come under further pressure — opportunities for consolidation, batch selection, and production rationalization.
  • Premium, organic, territorial/sparkling/labels with strong storytelling niches will likely gain relative weight, both in international markets and in the developed domestic market.
  • For those who own wineries or plan mergers and acquisitions, this will be a critical time to select quality assets, enhance brands and reputations, and prepare the ground for a more robust recovery when (or if) the global economy returns to stimulate consumption.

Wine Trends in Italy – Week 1-5 December 2025

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The Italian wine world enters winter 2025 with a complex picture, one of light and shade, featuring divergent market dynamics, international tensions, and signs of industrial resilience.

The sector is undergoing a profound transformation: consumption is changing, export geographies are reconfiguring, Prosecco continues to drive growth, while companies seek new balances between production, cost management, and strategic repositioning.

The global bubble race: Prosecco remains the driving force of Italian wine.

Del Rey Analysts’ snapshot confirms that sparkling wines remain the most dynamic axis on the global scene, with a turnover of 8.5 billion euros , despite a physiological slowdown in volumes.
Italy dominates in terms of quantity: 519 million liters exported , equal to almost half the world’s volume, and a value of €2.4 billion . The epicenter is Prosecco, which has seen exports grow 276% over the last 16 years, surpassing Champagne and Cava in growth dynamics, thanks to three key elements: taste, image, and distribution capacity.

On the price front, Italy has shown a 64% increase since 2009, higher than France and Spain, although it remains far from the value per litre of Champagne.

This week confirms one fact: Prosecco’s strength comes not from its price, nor from a technological advantage, but from its ability to interpret the desires of the contemporary consumer. It’s a global case study.

Luxury wine and spirits: a contraction in 2025, with few exceptions

The high-end segment is going through a delicate phase.
According to the Altagamma Observatory, luxury wines and spirits are expected to decline by 5% in 2025, penalized by more selective consumption, high prices, a slow pace of growth in the Chinese market, and a lower propensity to spend among those under 40.

Under pressure:

  • premium spirits (-4/-6%)
  • Cognac in decline
  • high-end still wines

Going against the trend:

  • French bubbles , driven by hedonistic consumption
  • Italian reds , which resist thanks to the strength of their identity and origin
  • rosé , increasingly in demand in international fine dining

A timid recovery is expected in 2026 (5%), but it remains a market phase where perceived value, experience and authenticity weigh more than the brand alone.

Italian exports amid global tensions and new growth paths

The Federvini Observatory confirms a phase of “realignment” of global flows, with Italian wine which, although slowing down, is holding up better than its French and Chilean competitors .

The US picture is the most critical part:

  • wine: –4.8%
  • spirits: –5%
  • last quarter: –23% , combined effect of tariffs and drop in purchasing power

To compensate, new trajectories arrive:

  • Germany 8.8%
  • Brazil 8.7%
  • Italian spirits boom in China : 94%

The sector is moving from “habitual” consumption to “choice” consumption: less frequent, more perceived value.

Domestic consumption: few certainties but signs of liveliness

In Italy, demand remains cautious, but the search for quality is growing.
The large-scale retail trade records:

  • DOP IGP wine: 0.9%
  • Total PDO and PGI products: 1.1%

The towing are:

  • bubbles
  • alcoholic aperitifs
  • premium vinegars

No-low and ready-to-drink products continue to expand their reach, especially in urban consumption and among Gen Z and Millennials.

Bulk wine: a surprising segment

The World Bulk Wine Exhibition highlights an unexpected phenomenon:
Loose holds up better than bottled.
Exports fell by only 0.3% in value , while bottled wine recorded a 3.1% decline. Varietals and no/low-alcohol products are growing, driven by technological innovation in dealcoholization and the demand for flexible formats (cans, bag-in-box, RTD).

The bulk wine sector accounts for over a third of global volumes and will become increasingly strategic in the coming years.

Italy: High inventory levels and Prosecco tops the list

As of October 31st, Italian wineries recorded:

  • 73 million hectoliters of total wine products
  • 44.5 million wine
  • 14.3 million musts

Inventories are growing (5.2% over 2024), a signal to monitor in a slow market context.
The most stocked wine in Italy is Prosecco Dop with 4.2 million hl .

Veneto dominates, followed by Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Puglia.

Wine Companies in the “Perfect Storm”: Who’s Resisting and Why?

The Management DiVino study photographs a sector affected by structural criticalities:

  • drop in consumption
  • demographic changes
  • fragmentation
  • cost pressures

Resilience emerges from those who:

  • innovate in the business model
  • aggregates skills
  • invests in wine tourism
  • diversify products and markets

The “asset strong / asset light” dualism is no longer a dogma.
Hybrid models, capable of commercial flexibility and territorial roots, are winning.

Sparkling wines sold in 2024 surpass 1 billion bottles

Despite a difficult 2023 harvest, Italy surpassed a historic milestone. Prosecco DOC (8%), Asolo (20%), Pignoletto, and Lambrusco rosé all grew. Piedmont, Lombardy, and Trentino suffered.

The country remains a “Charmat republic”: 96% of the sparkling wines are produced in autoclaves.

DOP Economy: A Pillar of Italian Competitiveness

The ISMEA-QUALITY 2025 Report certifies a healthy sector:

  • 20.7 billion production value
  • DOP/IGP wine stable at 11 billion
  • export: 7.19 billion (5.2%)

The Northeast remains the driving force, with Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Friuli experiencing strong growth.

Tariffs, the US crisis and the need for extraordinary measures

UIV calls for urgent intervention:
Between July and September, the average price of Italian wine destined for the USA dropped by 15.5% , an unsustainable self-taxation.

The Government is allocating €100 million annually from 2026 to 2028 to promote and internationalize its business.

The US case: an empire in difficulty

Napa and Sonoma are experiencing their toughest crisis since Prohibition:

  • consumption down
  • young people far from wine
  • 30% of the grapes not sold
  • Canada lost due to tariffs

A global warning about the end of the expansion cycle of traditional premium wine.

Conclusion: a sector that is changing its skin

The week of December 1–5, 2025 shows an Italy of wine going through a historic transition:
lower volumes, more competition, unstable markets, new languages of consumption.
But also a supply chain that doesn’t retreat: it innovates, resists, adapts, and finds new ways to create value.

The future will not only be written in the vineyards, but in strategic choices: innovation, positioning, aggregation, global market presence, and the ability to interpret a demand that changes faster than supply.

A continuous movement, like a grape harvest that never stops.

Wine press review for Thursday December 4 – 2025

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News on Italian wine and oenology.

The selection encompasses the entire wine ecosystem: Italian wineries, wine trends, the international market, and events.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Colli Euganei Winery – A Revolution in the Vineyards. Red wine production is at an all-time low: winemakers are weeding out red grapes, while white wines—both still and sparkling—are gaining in demand. The latest harvest marks a definitive turning point.

Bibenda 2026 – Three Pontine wineries awarded the Cinque Grappoli (Five Grapes) award: Casale del Giglio, Marco Carpineti, and Colle di Maggio, among Lazio’s top wines. A gala celebrating 764 Italian wines before 1,250 guests.

Guide to the 2026 Italian Wineries – Sicily Takes Center Stage: Murgo Wins the “Cantine Golose” Special Award: Etna Confirms Its Role as an Elite Destination for Italian Wine Tourism.

Underwater Aging – Cantine Carputo presents its new “sea wines”: Falanghina Metodo Classico aged for 12 months underwater: calmer perlage and a mineral finesse recognized by AIS tasters.

Tenuta Il Plino – Two labels among the AIS Quattro Viti excellences for the Romagna Albana Passito DOCG 2021 and the Sangiovese Riserva 2020: confirmation of Romagna’s qualitative growth.

Borgo del Tiglio Winery – Floods wipe out the vintage. Extreme weather events devastate the Collio area: only the 2025 production remains.

Masseria Celentano – “Alto Confort” Award The Alberto Longo winery (Puglia) awarded by Go Wine for excellence in hospitality.

Vitevis Wineries – Turnover of €69.6 million (-5%). Exports grow (13%), while the domestic market declines (-8%). Packaged wines perform well.

Terre d’Aglianico – Gold at the 2024 EBE Città del Vino Competition , Falanghina del Sannio takes first prize: a victory of style and production rigor.

Bottega del Vino opens in Cortina. This national icon’s first location outside of Verona: 4,100 labels in Verona, 1,500 in the new opening at altitude.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

Piwi – The resilient future of European wine. Grape varieties resistant to powdery mildew and downy mildew: a new sustainable paradigm, the result of a long scientific history from the early twentieth century to today’s frontiers.

Amarone della Valpolicella – Gambero Rosso’s 13 Best Elegance over power: the Corvina wines display an increasingly contemporary style.

Digitalization of Wineries – Digital Taste 2025: LinkedIn dominates, TikTok struggles. Tenute Piccini tops the list for digitalization; Antinori honored for its social media strategy; Herita Marzotto first in the “Carbon Neutral” category.

Previews – How a wine preview works. The dynamics, rituals, and behind-the-scenes behind events like Benvenuto Brunello: an army of tasters taking on a sensory marathon.

Federvini – The supply chain holds up 2025 despite US tariffs: Italy is performing better than its global competitors, with exports more resilient than the international average.

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND GLOBAL SCENARIOS

US Tariffs – €110 Million Lost in Three Months. Italian and French producers are cutting prices by 15–26% to remain competitive, but American distributors are raising final prices. Compressed margins and weak orders: the UIV is sounding the alarm.

Leonardo Committee Meeting – Wine as a Strategic Axis of Made in Italy. The sector is worth €16 billion, with €8 billion in exports. Dompé: AI and research are crucial to addressing climate change, globalization, and new supply chains.

WINE EVENTS

Immaculate Conception Long Weekend – A weekend of food and wine festivals, markets, and celebrations. From north to south, Italy lights up the winter with tastings, crafts, Christmas traditions, and new taste experiences.

Svitati 2025 in Saluzzo – The Festival of the Unexpected An event that blends wine, music, and culture: an open book for those who love to explore the new without losing their connection with tradition.

Nebbiolo Prima – Thirty-Year Anniversary in Alba 250 labels, 170 wineries, 40 journalists from around the world: the new Nebbiolo vintages are conquering the international scene.

FIVI Independent Winegrowers’ Market – A success in Bologna with 28,000 visitors in three days: a journey through the Italian artisanal wine world, more coherent and expressive than ever before.

Open Cellars at Christmas 2025 – Veneto in celebration. Tastings, warm atmospheres, guided tours, markets, and tailor-made experiences for families and enthusiasts.

Wine Course for the Blind and Visually Impaired – ONAV and UICI Training, inclusion, and participation: a pioneering project that opens new professional and cultural avenues.

Digital Wineries – The Top 10 for 2025

Piccini, Mezzacorona, Frescobaldi, Villa Sandi, Antinori, Cavit, Zonin1821, La Marca, GIV, and Terre Cevico make up the top ten in digital communication, including social media, e-commerce, and multichannel languages.

Thanks for reading. Today’s press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .

The world of wine is a vibrant organism: what happens in the vineyards resonates in markets, consumption styles, and narratives. Tomorrow we will discover new trajectories.

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