on the main news in the world of wine and wineries, with a strategic eye for those working in the sector.
Key Updates (5-7 points)
- In France, the Ministry of Agriculture has revised downwards its estimated 2025 production to 36 million hectoliters , 1% less than 2024 and well below the five-year average, due to heat waves and summer drought.
- In Italy, wine exports in the first half of 2025 grew in value (1.5%) and volume (2.1%), reaching €2.8 billion and ~703.5 million litres.
- However, the Italian harvest is in its final stages: over 75% has already been harvested, and updated estimates place it at around 44 million hectolitres , slightly below initial forecasts.
- In Tuscany, some consortia have approved a controlled reduction in yield (from 2.7 to 2.4 million hl), to protect the quality and positioning of the wine.
- The European spirits/wine M&A market has seen a collapse in transaction volumes, reaching its lowest level in nearly 27 years.
- A recent transaction: the Caffo group acquired the Italian Wine Brands plant (linked to the Cinzano brand) in a deal that reshapes part of the landscape of major national brands.
- On the innovation front, a recent study highlights how AI can be applied in viticulture, production, and wine tourism to improve sustainability, efficiency, and customer engagement.
M&A Radar
| Operation / Rumor | Parties involved / notes | Size (if known) | Geography | Source / date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caffo purchases IWB / Cinzano plant | Caffo Group acquires Italian Wine Brands’ Cinzano plant | not disclosed | Italy | |
| Transfer of Cinzano/Frattina from Campari to Caffo | Campari sells its brands to Caffo for €100 million. | ~€100 m |
Prices & Harvest (mini box)
| Region / variety | Notes on performance / conditions / performance | Price (if reported) / comparative trend |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (overall) | >75% harvest completed; lush quality, good health conditions | Bulk wine prices signal downward pressure, due to surplus and weak demand |
| Tuscany | Strategic choice to reduce yield from 2.7 to 2.4 million hl to protect quality | |
| Veneto / Prosecco / Pinot Grigio | Positive grape conditions, quantitative increases expected in some areas despite cautious trends | |
| France | Estimated production decrease due to summer heat effect / reduced yields |