Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Good morning,
Wine Idea presents the main news from the world of wine, wineries, and Italian and international oenology.
ITALIAN CELLARS
Gen Z: Less wine, but growing interest in vineyards and cellar experiences
Generation Z appears to be reducing their regular wine consumption, but they aren’t showing the same detachment from wine tourism. According to a Wine Suite report published in 2025 and based on 2024 data from over 400 wineries, nearly a third of visitors were between 18 and 28 years old. This is an important sign: to introduce young people to wine, it may be more effective to start with the region, vineyard, people, and experience , rather than focusing solely on the product.
Paltrinieri turns 100: four generations dedicated to Lambrusco di Sorbara.
The Paltrinieri family winery in the Modena area is celebrating its centenary. Founded in 1926, it now boasts 17 hectares and is already run by the fourth generation. Its history is closely tied to the promotion of pure Lambrusco di Sorbara , contributing to the creation of this wine’s contemporary identity.
Feudi di San Gregorio combines wine and contemporary art.
For its 40th anniversary, Feudi di San Gregorio is launching an ongoing collaboration with the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation . A selection of contemporary artworks will be hosted at the Sorbo Serpico site, creating a journey that integrates wine, architecture, landscape, and culture, enriching the winery visit experience.
Siddùra presents Èros, the red wine to be served chilled
The Sardinian winery Siddùra offers Èros , a Colli del Limbara IGT with 12% ABV, designed to be served between 10 and 12°C. It is a red that also uses techniques normally associated with white winemaking, with the aim of preserving freshness and fruitiness and targeting more informal and flexible drinking occasions.
De Fortuna wins two gold medals
The 2026 Città del Vino International Wine Competition awarded two Gold Medals to the De Fortuna Agricultural Company for 4 Moggi Falanghina del Sannio 2025 and Cava Rupem Sannio Aglianico 2022 , rewarding the work of the Frasso Telesino company in promoting the Sannio Beneventano area.
Two gold medals also for the Sandre Agricultural Society
On the centenary of its foundation, the Salgareda winery won two Gold Medals at the 24th Città del Vino International Wine Competition with Raboso and Cuor di Vigna IGT Veneto 2022. This is a particularly significant recognition for the promotion of Raboso and the area’s historic grape varieties.
Vigna Traverso focuses on Schioppettino di Prepotto
Schioppettino di Prepotto is one of Vigna Traverso’s flagship wines in the Colli Orientali del Friuli. The grapes come from the estate’s vineyards, cultivated on the traditional ponca method. Manual harvesting, immediate chilling, and berry-by-berry selection are the hallmarks of a process aimed at maximizing the expression of the terroir and the vintage.
Follador Strengthens Wine Tourism in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Region
Since 1769, Follador Prosecco has offered three wine tours dedicated to Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG at the Col San Martino estate. The cellar, techniques, tastings, and vineyards become part of an experience built within the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY
United States: Italian exports suffer, but high-end wines and Prosecco show positive signs.
In the first half of 2026, Italian wine exports to the US reached €849 million, a 14.1% decline in value , while volumes fell by 6.8%. However, according to SipSource, some premium segments are showing greater resilience: in the last three months, Champagne revenues grew by 14.7%, Prosecco by 10.2% , and Sauvignon Blanc by 3.2%.
Large-scale retail trade: white, low-alcohol and sparkling wines are growing
The 2026 Coop Report highlights a more selective and less frequent wine consumption. In modern retail outlets , white wines, lower-alcohol products, and sparkling wines intended for home consumption are on the rise, while overall alcohol consumption is decreasing, especially among younger generations.
Verdicchio at €60? The debate over restaurant wine prices has reopened.
Marche-based restaurateur Massimo Biagiali takes issue with the €60 price tag on some Verdicchio wines, sparking a broader discussion about the relationship between price, perceived quality, restaurant markups, and wine affordability . This is a particularly timely issue during a period of declining consumption.
Puglian table grapes: exports are growing, but price pressure remains.
Puglia accounts for over 53% of Italy’s table grape production , with approximately 25,000 hectares of the country’s 47,000. As new international trade routes open, Coldiretti Puglia reports pressure on prices at source and calls for greater transparency, reciprocity in imports, and supply chain contracts.
2026/2027 Harvest: The new ICQRF Handbook has been published.
The Ministry of Agriculture has published the 2026/2027 Harvest Guide , prepared by the ICQRF. The document updates operators on harvest management, processing, cellaring, labeling, and oenological processes. For wines without Geographical Indication or Designation of Origin, the maximum limit of 30 tons of grapes per hectare is recalled.
ISMEA: €10 million fund for agricultural tractors extended until December 15th
Agricultural, agro-industrial, agro-mechanical, and agri-food SMEs have until 12:00 p.m. on December 15, 2026 , to submit applications for interventions aimed at modernizing and improving the safety of agricultural and forestry tractors. The total funding provided by INAIL is €10 million .
Emilia-Romagna: €60 million for agricultural processing, marketing, and competitiveness.
The Region is allocating €60 million , of which €55 million has already been allocated to 51 projects and another €5 million to be allocated at a later date. The investments cover nine sectors, including wine , with the aim of fostering innovation, sustainability, profitability, and the ability to compete on the market.
Food and wine are at the forefront of Italian identity
According to the Observatory on Cultural Experiences in Italy, organized by Impresa Cultura Italia-Confcommercio and SWG, 65% of respondents cite cuisine and food and wine as key elements of national identity, ahead of landscape and nature (50%) and archaeological heritage (49%). This figure confirms the cultural value of wine beyond its economic dimension.
Prosecco Hills: Marina Montedoro confirmed
The new Board of Directors of the Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene has been appointed. Marina Montedoro has been confirmed as president for a new three-year term, and Vincenzo Sacchet as vice president.
Barolo: Harvest and New Vintages at Serralunga Day
While the grape harvest has begun in the Langhe, Serralunga Day 2026 presented the first Menzione Comunale of Barolo di Serralunga d’Alba 2023 , bringing together producers, critics, operators and enthusiasts around the identity and prospects of one of the symbolic territories of Italian wine.
INTERNATIONAL
Moselle: Dr. Hermann’s Rieslings Arrive in Italy
The historic Dr. Hermann winery joins the catalog of the Italian importer Sagna. The Hermann family has been involved in viticulture on the Moselle for over 400 years and today cultivates more than 17 hectares, including old ungrafted vines on slopes that can reach inclinations of 60-70% . Production is strongly oriented towards Riesling and manual work in the vineyard.
New paths to alcohol-free living: from grapes to wine
Tuscan winemaker Emanuele Graetz has developed Berstin , a non-alcoholic beverage made directly from grapes by processing the skins, without fermentation or subsequent dealcoholization. The project thus offers an alternative approach to the growing international market for non-alcoholic beverages related to the wine world.
WINE EVENTS
Evenings at the De Toma Winery – September 18, 19, and 20
The De Toma Winery is offering three events as part of the Moscato di Scanzo September , with tastings of wines, spirits, local food products, and sweet creations.
Gustus – Wines and Flavors of Vicenza – September 19th and 20th
The “Arrigo Pedrollo” Conservatory in Vicenza hosts the sixteenth edition of Gustus. Over 30 wineries and more than 120 labels will represent the Colli Berici, Vicenza, and Gambellara DOCs, with tastings, a WineLab, music, and local cuisine.
The Nights of Wine – Cavaglio d’Agogna, September 19
On Saturday 19 September, the historic centre hosts Le Notti del Vino , an initiative promoted as part of Città del Vino, with tastings from local wineries and typical local products.
Morbegno in Cantina – from September 25th to October 11th
Three weekends dedicated to the heroic viticulture of Valtellina , with tastings spread across wineries, palaces, courtyards, and historic sites. The highlights include Nebbiolo-Chiavennasca, Sforzato della Valtellina DOCG, and Valtellina sparkling wines, through various themed itineraries.
Classese is the star of Milan’s autumn
After OltreGusto Oltrepò Terra di Pinot Nero, which brought together 32 wineries and 1,400 participants , a series of events dedicated to Classese , a classic method Pinot Nero from Oltrepò Pavese, will begin in Milan on September 28th, including blind tastings and masterclasses for operators and sommeliers.
DoctorWine 2027: Previews of the new guide begin
In view of the presentation of the Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2027 , scheduled in Milan on October 3, DoctorWine has begun publishing the award-winning wines, starting with those from Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria.
Hospitality 2027 looks to the future of HoReCa
The 51st edition of Hospitality – The Hospitality Exhibition is scheduled for Riva del Garda from February 1 to 4, 2027. The new concept focuses on the integration of hospitality, catering, food, beverage, technology, design, and wellness. In 2025, the Italian HoReCa market is expected to exceed €100 billion in revenue , according to the data reported in the material.
SIGNAL OF THE DAY
Today’s review highlights a change that is affecting several segments of the sector: wine is increasingly being valued together with its surroundings .
Wine tourism, landscape, culture, art, gastronomy, and experiences are becoming important tools for building relationships with consumers, while the market is increasingly focused on freshness, lower alcohol content, new consumption opportunities, and premium segments that better protect value .
For wineries, therefore, the challenge is not just how much wine to produce, but how to differentiate it, tell its story, bring it to life and transform the territory into economic and commercial value .
Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT.
See you tomorrow.