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

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

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.

Wine Report of September 14 2025

Italian wineries (news, strategies, mergers, events).

Today, September 14, 2025

  • Tasca d’Almerita was registered in the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy in 2025, confirming the historical and identity value of its Sicilian estates.
  • Gruppo Mezzacorona remains a leading player in the cooperative landscape: with hundreds of members, a large vineyard area, and high production (over 45 million bottles), it represents a leading cooperative model in Trentino-Alto Adige/Sicily.
  • Highlighted event: “Italian Wine in the Spotlight in New York” (September 11), where over 300 Italian labels were presented to the public and foreign operators, a useful opportunity to strengthen the positioning of the US/international markets.

Italian wines (new labels, awards, trends)

  • New labels and restyling : Tenuta del Buonamico has revamped the labels of iconic wines such as Cercatoja, Il Fortino, Vasario, Mio, Vivi, and Dea Rosa to enhance the wines’ personality, an aesthetic pleasure that also supports marketing/positioning strategies.
  • International recognition : Ferrari Trento received a 100/100 score from Decanter for its 2009 Riserva Lunelli, and unveiled the new 2015 vintage of its Giulio Ferrari Rosé. This reinforces the reputation of excellence for Italian sparkling wines around the world.
  • Sparkling wine trends : according to Valoritalia 2025, sparkling wines recorded a 5% growth in value in the certified market, while red wines suffered a significant decline (-6.8%).

Italian wine trends (exports, consumption, economic data)

  • Exports : In the first six months of 2025, Italian wine exports showed mixed results. Markets such as Canada, Japan, and Australia recorded strong growth; conversely, the UK, China, Switzerland, and South Korea reported declines.
  • The first four months of 2025 closed with exports declining in both volume (-3.7%) and value (-0.9%), totaling ~2.5 billion euros. The impact of US tariffs exacerbated the situation.
  • Domestic consumption : the negative trend continues, with decreases especially in off-trade channels (-4% in volume; −1.5% in value) not fully offset by increases in unit value due to premiumization.

Final summary

Italian wineries confirm that historical value, distinctive quality, and territorial identity are assets that make a difference in international markets today. However, price pressure, trade barriers, and rising costs require specific strategies: diversifying the offering, investing in sustainability, and strengthening the brand in more stable or expanding markets.

Sparkling wines continue to be a key driver, while the decline in red wines highlights that without innovation, targeted marketing, and production cost control, it will be difficult to contain losses. Exports remain the key variable for 2025: balancing risks and opportunities in foreign countries will be crucial for sustaining growth and creating real value.

Wine Report of September 13, 2025

cellars, wines and general trends in Italian wine.

Wine Report of September 13, 2025

Italian wineries

  • Strategic Moves – Several cooperatives and family businesses are rethinking their business models in light of declining consumption and price pressures. There is a growing focus on diversification, with expansion into hospitality and experiential tourism.
  • New memberships in protection consortia – Wineries from Oltrepò and Campania aim to strengthen their collective identity, taking a cue from historic clubs (such as Buttafuoco Storico) that have successfully built shared value.
  • Sustainability Investments – Projects related to renewable energy and regenerative agriculture are starting to impact budgets: no longer “ethical choices” but competitive levers.

Italian wines

  • Sparkling wines increasingly central – Bubbles confirm their resilience, both in large-scale retail trade and in exports: many regions are experimenting with native grape varieties.
  • Minor Grape Varieties Being Rediscovered – From Pallagrello Nero to Magliocco, the desire to differentiate oneself on international markets by showcasing typicality and territorial narrative is growing.
  • Awards – Italy consolidates its presence in the 2026 guides (Slow Wine, Gambero Rosso forthcoming), with a particular focus on Sardinia, Calabria, and emerging areas of the South.

Trend of Italian wine

  • Exports in precarious balance – Following ISTAT data for the first half of the year (-0.4% in value, -3.1% in volume), consortium analyses indicate that the second half of the year will be crucial in determining whether exports will hold up in 2025.
  • Domestic consumption – The domestic market continues to show contractions in volumes, partially offset by the slight increase in values (inflation and premiumization effects).
  • Key markets – USA and Canada remain in positive territory; Europe struggles with Germany and the UK, Asia slows; Russia declines sharply.
  • Industry Reflection – More and more voices, from Slow Food to consortia, are calling for the need to reduce overproduction and focus on quality and agroecology.

Summary of September 13, 2025 : Italian wineries are undergoing a reorganization phase, amid economic pressures and the search for new avenues for growth. Native wines and sparkling wines remain the strongest assets, but the challenge remains balancing production, declining domestic consumption, and struggling exports.

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