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Wine Trends in Italy — Week 20-24 October 2025

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Italian wine is going through a complex phase, but not without signs of resilience.

The trend of Italian wines in the world.

ISTAT data show an overall decline in exports in the first seven months of 2025: -0.9% in value and -3.4% in volume, equal to €4.63 billion and 1.23 billion liters. The main contributing factor is the slowdown in the US market, the main outlet for Italian producers, penalized by the new 15% tariffs introduced in August. In the US, Italian wine exports lost 28% in value in the summer two-month period, despite producers’ efforts to lower average prices by 17%.

Despite the challenges, Prosecco PDO continues to drive the sector: 10.2% in value in the first seven months of 2025, with exports worth over €1 billion, accounting for 77.7% of Italian sparkling wine sales. France also performed well, with imports of Italian sparkling wines growing by 7.3%, while the United Kingdom remained a stable market.

The global wine landscape remains tense: overall exports are declining, grape prices are falling by up to 50% in some regions like Umbria and Tuscany, and Italian wineries are struggling with excess inventories. Profitability challenges and the decline in domestic consumption—currently just over 30 liters per capita annually—are forcing the sector to rethink its economic models.

At the same time, the importance of wine tourism and innovation strategies is growing: new forms of sustainable packaging, “no- and low-alcohol” wines, and private labels are becoming tools to attract a more informed and selective consumer. However, Europe is still slow to transform wineries into true tourist destinations: only 49% of European companies have offered wine tourism activities for more than ten years, compared to 60% in the rest of the world.

The restaurant sector, after the post-pandemic euphoria, is seeing a decline in volumes but maintaining revenues thanks to the increase in average prices (10%). White wines and sparkling wines are holding up better than reds, while awareness is growing of the need to offer accessible quality and make wine “cool” for younger generations as well.

Despite the shadows, Italian wine remains a pillar of the national identity and economy: first in import share to the United States (38%) and a cultural symbol at the NIAF 50th anniversary celebrations in Washington DC. The difficulties of 2025 do not erase the excellence of the wine system, but they do require an evolution: greater efficiency, sustainability and innovation to remain competitive in an increasingly selective global market.

Wine press review for Friday, October 3, 2025!

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News on Italian wine and oenology.

Italian Wineries

  • Cantina di Venosa is investing in wine tourism. Starting in 2027, a new architectural and functional structure will increase visits, direct sales, and business meetings. A €3.4 million investment, including funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
  • Cantina Segreta in Eboli (SA), a journey through flavors created by Andrea Nanna. A restaurant created from an ancient cellar, where tradition and creativity blend in the chef’s cuisine.
  • Castel de Paolis celebrates 40 years in the Castelli Romani area. Official celebrations with artwork and a calendar of events showcasing the Santarelli family’s winemaking excellence.
  • The La Torre winery turns 100. Since 1925, a journey of family and territory, now the fourth generation and certified organic. The heart of the production: the rare Groppello di Mocasina.
  • Cantina Valtidone, Tre Bicchieri 2026 for Arvange Metodo Classico Pas Dosé An internationally prestigious recognition for the pure Pinot Noir sparkling wine.
  • Celli Winery awarded by Gambero Rosso. The Sangiovese Riserva Bertinoro “Bron&Ruseval” wins the Tre Bicchieri 2026 award: a first for this wine and the only Bertinoro wine on the podium.

Italian Wine

  • Prosecco, a superstar in the US, is consolidating its overtaking of Champagne: $531 million, a 178% increase in seven years. It now represents 31% of the value of Italian wine consumption overseas.
  • Etna, a region looking to the future. The Etna Wine Consortium and leading companies are focusing on quality, great reds and new whites, with a strong push towards wine tourism.
  • Walking among the ungrafted vineyards of Carignano in Sulcis. A slow journey through the sea, mines, and ancestral identities of Sardinia, with Carignano del Sulcis as the protagonist.
  • Tre Bicchieri 2026, the best wines of Lombardy. 34 wines awarded by Gambero Rosso, with a section dedicated to rare wines, confirming Lombardy among the leading regions.
  • AGIVI’s voices: sustainability and new entrepreneurial visions. Young producers from North to South share an approach to wine that combines environmental and social impact with quality of life.
  • Argea: ecodesign and biosymbiosis. The group, founded in 2021, presents its 2024 sustainability report and aims to create a new wine industry model.

Italian Oenology

  • The glass makes the difference: Italesse launches the one for Amarone della Valpolicella. The result of the Senses Project, a glass designed with sommeliers, technicians, and oenologists to best enhance the characteristics of the great Veronese red wine.

International

  • Spain: Harvest down 10-15% According to the Spanish Wine Federation, 2025 will bring lower quantities but higher quality.
  • Giorgio Locatelli’s Locanda collection up for auction (London) Over 400 fine lots up for auction at Bonhams, including vertical tastings of Sassicaia and rare bottles of Barolo Monfortino.

Wine Events

  • “Colline ad Arte”: a contemporary art prize in the UNESCO hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. A long-term project that will transform the landscape into an open-air collection.
  • “Vini ad Arte” 2025 in Faenza The Romagna wine region has overcome the consequences of the 2023 flood and is restarting with energy.
  • “Di…Vino, d’Olio e Dintorni” in Nocera Terinese (CZ) On November 8th, a food and wine trail in the ancient village with wines, oils and typical Calabrian dishes.
  • Centenary of the Marino Grape Festival (Rome) A special edition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the historic Castelli Romani festival, famous for its wine fountains.
  • “Between Villages and Cellars” in the province of Siena From October 16th to November 27th, six events in Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Montalcino and other Tuscan villages.
  • “Cantine e Trattorie in Cantina” in Romagna From October 21st to December 2nd, four evenings of local cuisine and wines, in “theatre season ticket” format.
  • Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2025 – Sweet and Fortified Wines Session In Catania, Italy shines with 26 medals, dominated by Sicilian wineries: Ben Ryé 2022, Marsala Lombardo 2011, and Single Barrel di Pellegrino.

This was the wine news for October 3, 2025. We’ll talk to you again tomorrow, again with QUIDQUID – powered by WINEIDEA.IT .

Wine Trends in Italy from September 22nd to 26th, 2025

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The Italian wine market continues to experience challenging times, with tariffs, falling prices, and new cultural and commercial challenges.

US exports: mixed signals

In the United States, Italy’s leading trading partner, July 2025 saw a significant decline in value of 21.1%. In the first seven months of the year, the overall figure was down 1.1% (€1.2 billion), although volumes grew (6.1%). The average price per liter fell to €5.48 (-6.8%), further compressing margins.
Sparkling wines are holding up better: up 4.3% in value (€357.3 million) and 14% in volume, but with prices falling to €4.63/liter (-8.5%). Bottled wines are struggling (-2.7% in value, but down 4.3% in volume), while bulk wines are plummeting (-39.5%).

France in the lead

In July, France surpassed Italy in exports to the US: €185.2 million versus €148.2 million. In the first seven months of 2025, French exports grew by 16.8% (€1.4 billion), with an average price nearly double that of Italy (€11.97/liter). Sparkling and bottled wines drove the performance, confirming their greater ability to hold up prices.

The cultural front: the appeal to the UN

The International Wine Academy has launched an appeal to world leaders to defend wine as a cultural, social, and human heritage, against the risk of it being reduced to a mere health threat. Among the signatories are prominent Italian winemakers such as Gaja, Zanella, Cinelli Colombini, and Lageder. The Academy emphasizes the value of moderate consumption, supported by recent scientific studies, and the need to preserve wine’s cultural identity.

New consumers in the US

The future of Italian wine also depends on renewing its target audience. UIV-Vinitaly and IWSR analyses indicate that the next American “wine lovers” will be primarily young people (Gen Z and Millennials), with a strong presence of Hispanic, African-American, and Asian consumers. States like Texas, California, Illinois, and Georgia thus become key markets for tapping into these new, high-potential communities.

Consortium strategies and the impact of tariffs

The sector is preparing for Vinitaly.USA (Chicago, October 5-6), a strategic event to gauge market reaction and defend Italy’s role in the United States. Consortia are facing a generous and high-quality harvest, but US tariffs—which rose to 15% on August 7—risk costing Italian companies up to €460 million. According to the UIV Wine Observatory, in the first three months of application, the duties have already generated an additional cost of $61 million and a 13.5% drop in import prices.

In short: Italian wine remains a leading player in the United States, but 2025 marks a crossroads: on the one hand, the challenge of prices and tariffs, on the other, the urgency of conquering new consumers and defending the cultural dimension of wine globally.

Alcohol-Free Wine and Spritz in PET Bottles: The Perfect Solution for Mobility, Events, and Large-Scale Services

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The beverage world is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation: the growing demand for low- and no-alcohol beverages that are convenient, safe, and suitable for high-traffic or high-volume environments.

In this scenario, dealcoholized wine and spritz in PET bottles emerge as innovative solutions for specific sectors such as naval, railway, events, public demonstrations, trade fairs and the military.

Why dealcoholized wine?

Dealcoholized wine is made from a selection of quality wines from which the alcohol is removed through advanced technological processes (reverse osmosis, vacuum distillation, cold techniques). The result is a beverage that retains:

  • Aroma and organoleptic profile of the original wine
  • Zero or very low alcohol content
  • Health benefits : fewer calories, responsible consumption

Perfect for those who want the wine experience without the limitations associated with alcohol, it is particularly suitable for contexts where safety and sobriety are essential: long journeys, work environments, supervised situations and large events.

The Spritz in a PET bottle: practical and sociable

The ready-to-drink spritz in a PET bottle combines the freshness and conviviality of an iconic cocktail with the safety and convenience of recyclable plastic packaging:

  • Ready to eat , no preparation required
  • Lightweight, resistant and unbreakable PET format : ideal for mass transport and crowded environments
  • Easy disposal : recyclable bottles, suitable for large-scale events and services

The proposal meets the needs of those seeking immediate social moments, without sacrificing logistical security.

Why PET bottle?

PET packaging is not a random choice but a strategy:

  • Safety : no risk of breakage like with glass
  • Lightness : up to 90% less weight, with reduced transport costs
  • Optimized volume : perfect for warehouses and intensive loads
  • Sustainability : 100% recyclable PET, integrable into circular economy circuits

The reference sectors

1. Naval

Cruise ships, ferries, and maritime services find PET the ideal solution: reduced onboard weight, elimination of glass risks, and safe drinks even in rough seas.

2. Railway

On long-distance and high-speed trains, dealcoholized wine and spritz in PET bottles guarantee a modern, safe, and suitable offering for all passengers, without restrictions on alcohol service.

3. Events and public demonstrations

Large crowds require simple logistics and rapid waste management. PET is unbeatable: rapid distribution, zero risk of glass accidents, and maximum access control.

4. Fairs

Alcohol-free wine takes center stage in the international pavilions, where simplicity is key but the sensory experience remains central. The PET spritz offers moments of convivial relaxation without the complexity of service.

5. Army

For the armed forces, the combination of a safe drink with durable and lightweight packaging represents an ideal solution: simple supply, convenient transport, and responsible consumption in operational contexts.

A choice that looks to the future

The combination of dealcoholized wine and spritz in PET is not only a market innovation, but a concrete response to the needs of mobility, safety, and sustainability. It is the meeting of winemaking tradition and technological innovation , paving the way for new opportunities for operators and distributors in the most logistical-intensive sectors.

In a world that demands practical, safe, and environmentally friendly solutions, these drinks are not a passing fad, but a strategic choice destined to grow.

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