Current trends in Italian and world wine.
Key updates
- Italian wine exports from January to July 2025 show a slight decline: value -0.9% and volume -3.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
- European wine production saw a significant decline in Spain (~15% less, ~31.5 Mhl) while Italy stood at around ~47 Mhl and France at ~37 Mhl.
- The bulk wine market in Italy is currently relatively stable, but with signs of pressure due to high inventories and stagnant sales.
- On the innovation front: Research into the application of AI (artificial intelligence) in viticulture, production, and wine tourism highlights growing potential for cost optimization and sustainability.
- At consumer level, Italy has seen a very modest increase in wine prices over the last 10 years (7.4%), a sign of initial “resistance” from the medium-high segments of the sector.
- Under M&A/finance, targeted investments in the Italian wine sector persist: for example, the bond issue by Feudi di San Gregorio in Southern Italy.
- In the export channel, the USA is becoming a source of concern (tariffs, accumulations), and the need to diversify towards new markets with medium-long term strategic planning is essential.
M&A Radar
| Deal / Rumor | Parts | Size / note | Geography | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquisition of the production share of Italian Wine Brands (Valle Talloria) by Gruppo Caffo 1915 (IT) | Caffo ↔ Italian Wine Brands | not disclosed | Italy (Piedmont) | |
| Acquisition of Tenuta Ulisse, which takes over management of the Montevetrano winery (IT) | Tenuta Ulisse (investment firm) ↔ Montevetrano | not disclosed |
Prices & Harvest – mini box
- Grapes (Italy) : Umbria 2025, Sangiovese priced at €26-30 per quintal; Merlot/Cabernet €28-30/quintal; Sagrantino DOCG €100-140/quintal.
- Bulk wine market (Italy) : stable trend but with downward pressure due to high availability.
- Harvest 2025 (Italy) : preliminary estimate ~47.4 Mhl, but recent findings indicate a potential reduction towards ~44 Mhl due to climatic stress.