on the main news in the world of wine and wineries, with a strategic eye for those working in the sector.
Highlights
- In Italy, the 2025 harvest is estimated at 47.4 million hectolitres , 8% compared to 2024, with healthy grapes and positive quality prospects.
- The bulk wine market is holding up: the value remains at ~€1.2 billion, with an average price increase of 2.1% (€0.78/litre) despite declining volumes.
- Globally, Q1 2025 wine exports are down ‑4.4% in volume, but the pace of recent shipments signals an ongoing recovery.
- In France, the 2025 production forecast has been reduced to 36 million hectolitres (-1% year-on-year, -16% compared to the five-year average), due to summer heat waves.
- Australian company Treasury Wine Estates has suspended its A$200 million buyback and withdrawn its 2026/27 guidance, citing sales difficulties for the Penfolds brand in China and operational issues in the US.
- A regeneration of packaging and distribution models is underway: “bag-in-box” is experiencing strong growth in the UK and other markets, both for its convenience and its sustainable profile.
- On the technological front, new research shows advanced applications of artificial intelligence for viticulture, spectral analysis of wine (classification, prediction), and personalized wine tourism.
M&A Radar
| Deal / Rumor | Parties involved | Size (if known) | Geography / focus | Source & date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transactions in the beverage sector (overall) | various operators in the alcohol sector | 31 transactions in the first half of 2025 | global (wine, spirits) | |
| Treasury Wine Estates – Operational Difficulties / Reorganization | TWE | A$200M buyback suspension | Australia / global |
Prices & Harvest (mini box)
| Region / variety | Estimated price / notes | Trend vs previous year / week | Notes on yield / climate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy, average bulk wine | approx. €0.78/litre | 2.1% on average prices (WBWE) | volumes slightly down but value stable |
| Italy, table wines / white wines | 4% (white) | general segments in moderate growth | |
| Italy, DOC / DOCG wines (red) | -2% vs 2024 | slight weakness for reds compared to whites | |
| Lombardy | 15% of production estimated compared to 2024 | significant quantitative increase | early harvest, healthy and aromatic grapes |
| Tuscany / Chianti DOCG | estimated volume cuts −10/15% | qualitative enhancement precautions | containment policies implemented to defend the brand |
Additional Notes:
- Some areas have already harvested more than 75% of the expected potential; but in marginal areas yields are falling short of original forecasts.
- In France, the summer heat accelerated ripening but penalized volumetric development, pushing estimates downwards.
- The use of remote sensing techniques (SAR radar combined with optical indices) is gaining ground for monitoring biomass and phenological stages in the cellar with consistent data that is less sensitive to weather conditions.