Alongside the challenges, emerging territories, wineries, and initiatives capable of innovating and creating value.
Good morning,
Italian wine is facing a complex but transformative phase: early harvest, climate change, high inventories, new consumption models, growth in wine tourism and the search for new markets .
ITALIAN WINERIES
Cantina Tollo grows by 133 hectares
Cantina Tollo is expanding its production base with 133 new hectares of vineyards , increasing its total from 2,357 to 2,490 hectares . The new vineyards, distributed primarily across Abruzzo, Molise, and Puglia, include native varieties such as Montepulciano, Pecorino, Trebbiano, and Passerina.
The expansion is part of the Vigneto Avanzato project, which aims to guarantee greater economic stability for small winemakers through remuneration based on hectares worked rather than exclusively on quintals produced.
Cantine Monfort: From the Cembra Valley to 26 Countries
From Palù di Giovo, in Trentino, Cantine Monfort has built a commercial presence over eighty years that today reaches 26 countries .
International growth has occurred while maintaining strong ties to the Cembra Valley, local winemakers, and a family history passed down to new generations.
Belisario Winery: Good prospects for Verdicchio di Matelica
The harvest of grapes destined for the Belisario Winery , an important producer of Verdicchio di Matelica, has begun in the Camerte Sinclinale.
Initial indications point to a yield of around 90-95 quintals per hectare and an overall good harvest. The mountainous area’s temperature ranges helped mitigate the effects of the intense summer heat.
Feudo Antico: A winery becomes an open-air archaeological museum.
In Tollo, Abruzzo, Feudo Antico represents a unique blend of wine, land, and archaeology.
During the vineyard replanting works, the remains of a Roman-imperial-era rustic villa were discovered, likely connected to ancient winemaking activities. The archaeological site is now an integral part of the winery’s identity.
ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY
Italian wine under pressure from climate, markets, and new consumption patterns.
According to Legacoop Agroalimentare , the Italian wine sector is simultaneously facing climate change, uncertainty in international markets, and a transformation in consumption.
Against this backdrop, the planning of the institutional campaign dedicated to Italian wine is also underway, with the aim of strengthening its image as a quintessential Made in Italy product.
The 2026 harvest: a difficult year to interpret
The Italian grape harvest varies greatly from region to region. In some areas, the harvest is much earlier, while in others, the timing is more traditional or even later.
Oenologists and agronomists therefore emphasize the need to avoid generalized assessments: climate, water availability, altitude, exposure, and characteristics of individual vineyards are producing very different results.
Friuli Venezia Giulia: Early harvest and priority given to water
In the Colli Orientali del Friuli and Ramandolo, the harvest of white grape varieties is already in full swing.
Heat and drought have accelerated ripening, revealing significant differences between irrigated and non-irrigated vineyards. Water management therefore becomes a strategic element for preserving the quality, balance of the grapes, and the identity of the wines.
Pinot Noir already in the cellar: early harvest in the North
The 2026 harvest started early in many northern areas.
The first 200 quintals of Pinot Noir destined for the sparkling wine base have already arrived at the Vicobarone winery in the Piacenza area. Early arrivals are also reported in Franciacorta, Asti, Ferrara, and Canavese.
The positive data is represented, in several areas, by the presence of healthy grapes and abundant bunches .
Sicily: cellars still full before the new production
The harvest has begun, but many Sicilian wineries still have significant quantities of wine from the previous harvest.
As of 31 July 2026, approximately 2.69 million hectolitres of wine were stored on the island, of which over 1.4 million in the province of Trapani alone .
The priority becomes to reduce inventory levels while avoiding excessive pressure on prices while the new production enters the cellars.
Ligurian wines resist market difficulties
The small production scale seems to offer Ligurian wineries greater flexibility than other Italian areas.
Many wineries produce fewer than 100,000 bottles and can thus adapt more quickly to changing demand. Pigato, Vermentino, Rossese, Ormeasco, and Granaccia continue to represent the regional identity, while interest in rosé wines is growing.
Roero: one of the great souls of Piedmontese wine
Roero has gradually gained an independent and recognizable position in the Italian winemaking panorama.
Located on the left bank of the Tanaro River, facing the Langhe, it is characterized by sandy soils, marl, and the spectacular Rocche del Roero. Arneis is its signature white wine, alongside local interpretations of Nebbiolo and Barbera.
Sardinia: Wine quality is growing
Vinodabere’s Guide to the Best Wines of Sardinia 2027 has tasted over 600 samples .
331 wines were selected for review , and 118 received a Standing Ovation , representing 35.6% of the wines reviewed. This result highlights significant qualitative growth, from rosés to whites, with a particular focus on Vermentino.
INTERNATIONAL AND NEW MARKETS
The weather is bringing forward the grape harvest in France too.
Climate change is profoundly altering the European viticultural calendar.
In Italy, many areas have brought forward the harvest, while in France , Champagne and Burgundy are recording exceptionally early harvests.
In Burgundy, Domaine Leflaive began the harvest on August 13th , even anticipating the documented historical precedent of 1556, when the harvest began on August 15th.
Ready to Drink is growing in the United States and Europe
Premixed cocktails continue to gain popularity.
In the United States, Ready-to-Drink represents about 8% of the alcohol market , while in Europe sales could more than double in the next decade.
A change in consumer habits that could create new opportunities for Italian groups like Campari , especially through the world of spritzes.
Italian wine in the USA: delivered to consumers within 24 hours
The Tuscan company Fieramente has developed a logistics model designed to transform Americans’ wine tourism experience into direct sales.
Through a hub in the United States , wines purchased or discovered during a visit to Italy can be distributed directly to American consumers with rapid delivery.
An interesting model for connecting wine tourism, B2C sales and the internationalization of wineries .
Giacomo Bartolommei is the only Italian among the 2026 Rising Stars.
Giacomo Bartolommei , president of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium, producer and winemaker from Caprili, is the only Italian included by Wine Enthusiast among the 12 international “Rising Stars” of 2026.
The award recognizes a new generation of professionals called upon to address changes in consumption, climate, regulation, and international markets.
EVENTS, WINE TOURISM AND WINE CULTURE
Wine Tourism 2026: Wine increasingly meets the sea
Italian wine tourism is increasingly integrated with seaside holidays.
Among the most desired wine destinations for Italians are Cinque Terre and Salento at 20%, Chianti at 19%, Amalfi Coast and Etna at 18% .
Food and wine tourism would now involve approximately 18 million Italians , 4.5 million more than in 2024.
When choosing a winery , the landscape, experience and value for money are of particular importance.
The Etna Wine Train
On the slopes of Etna, an itinerary combines railway, vineyards, cellars, tastings, and gastronomy.
The Etna Wine Train departs from Linguaglossa and uses the Circumetnea Railway along with a Wine Bus to take visitors to the wineries on the northern slope of the volcano.
A concrete example of how wine, territory, mobility, and experiential tourism can create an integrated offering.
Tuscany: The growing phenomenon of vineyard dinners
From Bolgheri to Montalcino, large tables abound among vineyards, cellars, and historic sites.
The phenomenon has also attracted the attention of the international press and demonstrates how the food and wine experience is becoming an increasingly important part of a winery’s perceived value.
WineHunter Award Collection 2026
The new The WineHunter Award Collection 2026 is online, bringing together the selected excellences in the Wine, Food, Spirits and Beer categories.
After the Rosso and Gold awards, over 300 candidates are aiming for the prestigious Platinum. The winners of The WineHunter Award Platinum will be announced on October 7th in Rome .
Stintino Wine Festival: Wine and Territory Take Center Stage
The Stintino Wine Festival returns on August 21st and 22nd , now in its third edition.
Twelve wineries will participate in the event, along with food producers and artisans. In 2025, the festival attracted approximately 3,000 attendees .
Durazzano: Four days dedicated to Sannio wine
From 20 to 23 August , Durazzano, in the province of Benevento, hosts the tenth edition of Gustarte .
Tastings, workshops, music, and meetings will accompany three “Narrated Tastings,” dedicated to the Sannio-Chianti Rufina comparison, rare grape varieties and monumental vineyards, and the relationship between wine and the history of Campania.
Unusual Marsala 2026: Wine, Hospitality, and Artificial Intelligence
The third edition of Insolito Marsala returns to Marsala from September 30th , five days dedicated to wine, hospitality, innovation, artificial intelligence, and gastronomy.
Among the most original initiatives, temporary wine shops will be hosted in bookstores, jewelry stores, opticians, and design showrooms , experimenting with new ways of bringing wine outside of traditional commercial channels.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
The August 20, 2026, review paints a picture of a rapidly changing sector.
The first issue is climate : the early harvest is no longer an isolated phenomenon and affects both Italy and France. Water, agronomic management, and the timing of harvest are becoming increasingly crucial.
The second concerns the market . High inventories, particularly in Sicily, require careful attention to volumes and prices, while small areas like Liguria demonstrate how limited production, a strong identity, and the ability to adapt can become competitive factors.
The third signal comes from the consumer . Wine tourism, vineyard dinners, coastal tourism, international direct sales, and new formats like Ready-to-Drink indicate that wine is increasingly being purchased in conjunction with an experience, a region, or a method of consumption.
Finally, a strategic message emerges: the future of Italian wine will depend not only on how much wine is produced, but on the ability to transform territory, quality, hospitality, distribution, and identity into economic value.
Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .
See you tomorrow.
The main Italian and international news dedicated to wine, cellars, viticulture, oenology, the market, investments, harvests and wine tourism .
Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Good morning,
QUIDQUID presents the main news from the world of wine , organized by thematic area and summarized for quick reading, suitable for the web, search engines and Artificial Intelligence systems like ChatGPT.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Alto Adige, 2026 harvest arrives record early
Harvest has already begun in Alto Adige’s earliest vineyards, especially for grapes destined for sparkling wine. According to the Alto Adige Wine Consortium, this is the earliest start ever recorded. A particularly warm spring and summer have accelerated the growing season and ripening.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG: technical meetings before the harvest
The Consortium is organizing two pre-harvest meetings on August 20th in Conegliano and August 25th in Valdobbiadene . The meetings will focus on the vintage’s progress, weather anomalies, and technical recommendations for the 2026 harvest.
Sicily: Wineries are increasingly focusing on wine tourism.
The report “Wine Tourism in Sicily in 2026 ,” produced for Assovini Sicilia by Ceseo, highlights the growing value of wine tourism as a commercial lever. Sicily boasts strong international appeal and significant potential for converting visits into purchases and relationships with wineries.
Bolgheri: An Abandoned Quarry Becomes a Meraviglia Winery
Opening in 2025, Cantina Meraviglia was born from the redevelopment of an abandoned quarry in Bolgheri. The project by Alejandro Bulgheroni Family Vineyards integrates winemaking, architecture, sustainability, landscape, and hospitality, creating a new winery experience.
Lvnae: Vermentino and Albarola become Classic Method
The historic Ligurian winery Lvnae enhances the Colli di Luni area through its vineyards spanning approximately 85 hectares. The Cuvée Lvnae Duemilaventi brings Albarola and Vermentino to the world of Classic Method sparkling wines, with a strong territorial identity between Liguria and Tuscany.
Franciacorta: Harvesting at night to escape the heat
In Erbusco, the I Barisèi winery has chosen to begin harvesting at 3 a.m. , using LED lights in the vineyards. This solution protects workers from the high temperatures and allows them to deal with a harvest increasingly affected by the weather.
Six families tell the story of Italian wine
A journey through some of the families who have spanned generations of Italian viticulture, transforming tradition, terroir, and craftsmanship into companies and brands capable of reaching contemporary markets.
Piedmont, the harvest has never been so early
In southern Piedmont, the harvest began about ten days early, starting with the Pinot Noir destined for the Alta Langa and some white varieties. Despite the stress caused by the high temperatures, initial analyses indicate very good grape quality.
Shop: The heat is causing economic damage.
Sandro Bottega, CEO of Bottega Spa, draws attention to the economic effects of climate change and the need for structural interventions. The company emphasizes the investments already made in renewable energy, geothermal energy, and consumption reduction.
ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY
2026 Harvest: Good Quality, But Inventories Are a Concern
Initial indications regarding the quality of the harvest are positive, but significant quantities of wine remain in cellars. As of July 31, over 23.5 million hectoliters of PDO wine and 10.9 million hectoliters of PGI wine were still in storage. Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Trentino-Alto Adige are among the regions with the largest PDO stocks.
Harvest 2026: Between social media and vineyard reality
On social media, the harvest often seems like a perfect moment, with bunches of grapes, sunsets, and tastings. The reality, however, is heat, hard work, late-night work, racing against the weather, and hasty decisions about ripening. In 2026, the significantly early harvest makes this gap even more evident.
Legacoop Agroalimentare: Wine is part of Italian culture
President Cristian Maretti emphasizes the cultural and economic value of Italian wine, but stresses the need for policies capable of addressing climate change, low yields in hilly areas, and the need for new irrigation infrastructure.
Italian wine: the debate on managing production potential reopens.
Discussions on the sector’s situation have returned to focusing on yields, stocks, and the potential reduction in vineyard acreage. The Italian debate is being compared to the French uprooting strategy, while the need to rebalance production and demand grows.
Wine Tourism 2026: Italians increasingly seek wine and seafood
Cinque Terre and Salento are among the most popular wine tourism destinations among Italians, both at 20%, ahead of Chianti at 19% and the Amalfi Coast and Etna at 18%. The report highlights a growing attraction towards areas capable of combining wine, landscape, and sea.
INTERNATIONAL
US: Wine imports down 25.2% in the first half of 2026
In the first half of 2026, the United States imported wine worth approximately €2.4 billion , a decrease of 25.2% in value and 16.8% in volume compared to the same period in 2025. Bottled wine remains the main category, while sparkling wines recorded a 19.8% drop in value.
US market still negative, but June shows signs of stabilization
SipSource data indicates the American market is still below 2025 levels, but the decline is gradually slowing. In June, wine recorded a 4.6% decline in value , while retail and restaurants suggest a gradual stabilization in the second half of the year.
France: Crisis also for barrel makers
The 67 member companies of the Fédération des Tonneliers de France reported an 11.7% drop in turnover, to €471 million, and a 14% decrease in volume. The slowdown in the wine market and a growing preference for styles less tied to oak aging are weighing heavily.
Portugal: The Alentejo forests are home to world-class cork.
Amorim Cork directly manages approximately 8,000 hectares of cork oak trees. Each tree requires long production cycles and can be debarked every nine years. The group, founded in 1870, now operates in over 100 countries with more than 25,000 customers.
Switzerland: Casa del Vino partners with FC Lugano
Casa del Vino SA has become a Classic Partner of FC Lugano for the 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29 seasons. The partnership will include hospitality, commercial development, and initiatives for guests of the AIL Arena.
EVENTS, TASTINGS AND WINE CULTURE
Wine Nights in Conegliano
On August 21st and 22nd , Conegliano Castle will host 25 wineries featuring wines from Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Piave DOCG, and other appellations. The program includes guided tastings, traditional products, street food, music, and a selection of Vulture wines.
Open Cellars during Harvest returns to Tuscany
From August 24th to October 25th, Movimento Turismo del Vino Toscana offers winery experiences during the harvest. The goal is to bring the public closer to the work in the vineyards and the grape transformation, highlighting culture, local area, and hospitality.
Open Cellars also in the Arezzo area
Wineries in the province of Arezzo are participating in Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia, offering visitors the opportunity to experience vineyards, producers, wineries, and one of the most important events of the winemaking year.
Cerveteri: Over 60 businesses at Piazza del Vino e dei Sapori (Wine and Flavors Square)
From August 27th to 30th, Cerveteri hosts four evenings dedicated to wine and food. Over 60 Italian producers and international representatives will be present, with a special focus on wineries from Lazio and the Ceriti Hills.
The WineHunter Award 2026: 1,506 wines earn Gold
Of over 7,000 wines tasted , 2,662 earned the WineHunter Award Red and 1,506 the Gold . There are also 213 wines nominated for Platinum. The winners of the highest recognition will be announced on October 7th in Rome .
Bubbles of the World: Summer Toasts
The August selection spans Italy, Croatia, and France with Metodo Classico, Metodo Martinotti, Champagne, Crémant, and ancestral wines, showcasing the international diversity of the world of sparkling wines.
Lower Lazio: Wine, Abbeys, and Territory
The 2026 edition of Vini d’Abbazia, held at Fossanova Abbey, brought together approximately 30 exhibitors, including consortia, producers, abbeys, and monasteries. The focus was on the quality of the products, the history, and the promotion of the area’s wine tourism.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
The August 19, 2026, review highlights four themes that are becoming central to the future of wine:
Climate and early harvest – Alto Adige, Franciacorta, and Piedmont confirm that climate change is altering harvest times and methods.
Production and Inventory – The quality of the grapes appears promising, but the large quantities still in the cellars require greater attention to balancing production and demand.
International markets – The United States remains challenging, although the first signs of a slowdown in the negative phase are emerging.
Wine tourism and experience – Sea, landscape, architecture, harvest, and hospitality are becoming increasingly important components of a winery’s economic and commercial value.
Italian wine therefore enters the 2026 harvest with good qualitative prospects but with a market that requires production balance, commercial capacity, climate adaptation and greater valorization of the experience linked to the territories .
Today’s wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .
See you tomorrow.
The main Italian and international news dedicated to wine, cellars, viticulture, oenology, the market, investments, harvests and wine tourism .
Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and today’s wine news.
Good morning,
A concise overview of Italian wineries, Italian wine, viticulture and oenology, international markets, and events , designed to offer a quick overview of the issues affecting the entire winemaking industry.
ITALIAN CELLARS
Cantine Ermes grows in Lazio with Gotto d’Oro
Cantine Ermes continues its multi-regional growth project through a multi-year partnership with Gotto d’Oro , a historic cooperative in the Castelli Romani area.
With Lazio, the number of regions involved in the development of the Sicilian cooperative rises to eight, which today brings together over 3,000 winemakers .
Gotto d’Oro will continue to manage production activities, from grape processing to bottling, while Cantine Ermes will support the cooperative in managing relationships with its members, acquiring the trademark license, and contributing to commercial development and market positioning.
Bersano and the 2019 Barolo Cannubi
Bersano presents the Barolo Cannubi 2019 , a wine characterized by small red fruits, violets, balsamic and smoky nuances, freshness and tannic structure.
The company has approximately 230 hectares of vineyards spread across 11 farms and produces almost 2 million bottles , with a portfolio that includes Barolo, Barbaresco, Nizza, Gavi, Roero Arneis, Metodo Classico and other Piedmontese denominations.
Gulfi tells the story of Etna through the Reseca 2022
Gulfi continues its journey based on organic farming, manual harvesting, bush vines, and a strong connection to the Sicilian territory.
From the vineyards of the Pino district, in the Randazzo area, comes Etna Rosso Reseca 2022 , an expression of Nerello Mascalese characterized by notes of black cherry, rose, undergrowth, spices and balsamic sensations.
Il Borro brings Sangiovese to the Classic Method
Tenuta Il Borro presents a new vintage of organic Chiaro di Bolle Metodo Classico Blanc de Noirs , produced exclusively from Sangiovese vinified as white.
The project offers an original interpretation of one of Tuscany’s iconic grape varieties, combining terroir, winemaking research, and innovation.
Puglia: not just Primitivo
Terre di Maria , a company founded in 2018 on the Pasquariello family’s land, offers a Puglia winemaking style that also looks to the Classic Method , combining regional tradition with new production methods.
The project combines viticulture, olive growing, innovation, and a strong family component.
Carlin de Paolo: Wine, Youth, and Socializing
In San Damiano d’Asti, in the Terre Alfieri area, Carlin de Paolo aims to engage younger generations with a winery model that combines the production of Barbera d’Asti, Nebbiolo, Arneis, Moscato, and Cisterna d’Asti with experiences featuring tastings, music, DJ sets, and mixology.
An example of how the cellar can also be transformed into a place for meeting, culture and socialising .
ITALIAN WINE
2026 harvest: good quality, but inventory issues remain
The 2026 Italian harvest has started early in several areas, especially for early varieties and sparkling wine bases.
The first qualitative indications are generally positive, despite some damage caused by hail and the difficulties caused by high temperatures.
The real issue, however, remains the wine already present in the cellars.
As of July 31, 2026, there were over 23.5 million hectoliters of PDO wines and over 10.9 million hectoliters of PGI wines in stock. The regions most affected include Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige, Lombardy, and Abruzzo.
Considering all categories, the national figure reaches 42.6 million hectolitres of wine , with an increase of 6.9% compared to 31 July 2025 .
The question, therefore, is not only how much to produce in 2026, but above all how to realign production, demand, prices and companies’ commercial capacity .
Piedmont: Early harvest and pressure on inventories
In Piedmont, the heat brought forward the harvest, while stocks continue to represent a critical issue.
The collected material also highlights the Barolo and Barbaresco Consortium’s invitation to its members to reduce production by 10% , while the companies seek to defend their quality, value, and presence on domestic and foreign markets.
Moscato d’Asti: appeal to bring forward the harvest
High temperatures and drought are accelerating ripening in the Asti area.
The Association of Moscato Municipalities warns of the risk of grapes losing weight and quality while some winemaking facilities are not yet operational, thus calling for an early harvest.
Valpolicella Ripasso: the red wine that balances freshness and structure.
Valpolicella Ripasso continues to represent a particularly interesting typology for those seeking more body than traditional Valpolicella without reaching the structure of Amarone.
The contact of the base wine with the Amarone or Recioto pomace increases color, aromas, structure and roundness.
Red wines can also be served chilled
The way we consume red wine during the summer is also changing.
Reds characterized by good acidity, moderate tannins and moderate alcohol content can be served chilled, approximately between 10 and 15 °C , opening up new opportunities for consumption during the warm season.
Wine markups in restaurants: the debate returns
A bottle purchased from the restaurant for 15 euros can go up to 60 euros on the menu.
The debate over markups continues, but restaurants are reminded that behind the final price lie costs that are often invisible to consumers: specialized staff, sommeliers, training, financial immobilization of bottles, storage, and cellar space.
Wine and health: the scientific debate continues
An analysis presented in 2026 to the American College of Cardiology, based on over 340,000 adults from the UK Biobank , reports observational differences between types and patterns of alcoholic beverage consumption.
The review material reports an association with lower cardiovascular mortality among moderate wine consumers compared to abstainers or occasional consumers.
However, these are observational associations , which do not demonstrate that drinking wine produces a health benefit and should not be interpreted as an invitation to consume.
ITALIAN VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY
Phytosanitary zoning: increasingly precise vineyard management
Dividing the vineyard into zones with different levels of susceptibility to pests can improve the organization of defense interventions.
Phytosanitary zoning allows for more precise intervention in vineyard management, optimizing logistics, timing, and treatments.
Climate change and early harvests
The heat is increasingly changing the Italian grape harvest calendar.
In 2026, many areas brought forward their harvests, especially for sparkling wine bases and early varieties, while maintaining generally positive quality prospects.
For producers and winemakers, it is therefore becoming increasingly important to identify the correct time for harvesting to preserve the acidity, aromatic balance and quality of the grapes .
INTERNATIONAL MARKET AND SCENARIO
The “invisible” market of large European vineyards
There is an international market for premium wineries and vineyards that rarely passes through normal real estate channels.
The most prestigious properties are often sold through private relationships and discreet transactions.
Value does not only depend on hectares, buildings and vineyards, but also on intangible elements such as denomination, reputation, history, terroir, brand and production possibilities .
A dynamic evident in Champagne and Burgundy, but increasingly present also in the most prestigious Italian territories, such as Langhe and Montalcino .
Burgundy: Terroir, Classifications, and the Role of Man
The cultural debate continues on the Burgundy model and its complex hierarchy of crus and climats.
The reflection mainly concerns the relationship between terroir, the history of the denominations, the value of individual parcels and the concrete role of the winemaker and the winemaker in determining the final identity of the wine.
Egypt: Opportunities for Italian Agriculture
Egyptian Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk has identified Egypt as a potential hub for Italian agricultural companies interested in the African market.
Topics discussed include investments, food security, new technologies, aquaculture, high-yield seeds, and logistics links between the Mediterranean and Europe.
Wine meets gaming
PairPlays , an online video game dedicated to wine and food pairing, is born in the United States.
The goal is to introduce new generations, especially those with younger generations, to the culture of wine through gaming, digital experiences, promotions, and interactive engagement.
A small sign of how wine communication is also seeking new languages to communicate with young people .
WINE TOURISM AND TERRITORIES
Cilento is growing as a wine destination
Cilento is consolidating its position among Campania’s emerging wine-growing areas.
Aglianico, Fiano, and Greco complement an offering that integrates wine, organic farming, landscape, and winery tours, contributing to the development of local wine tourism.
Monte Isola joins the Wine Cities
The Municipality of Monte Isola , on Lake Iseo, joins the network of the National Association of Wine Cities.
The membership aims to promote the territory, local produce, food and wine tourism, sustainability, and landscape protection.
The Al Bano Carrisi Estates: Wine and Hospitality in Salento
The Al Bano Carrisi Estates in Cellino San Marco represent an example of integration between winery, catering, hospitality, tastings, territory and awareness of the personal brand .
A formula that shows how wine can become part of a much broader tourist experience.
WINE EVENTS
The Nights of Wine are approaching their grand finale.
Positive results for Le Notti del Vino in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
After the sold out of Sgonico on August 18th, the program continues with:
August 28: San Dorligo della Valle;
August 29: Saint Quirinus;
September 4: Chiopris-Viscone.
The initiative, born in Friuli Venezia Giulia in 2024, subsequently assumed a national dimension.
Friuli Doc 2026
From 10 to 13 September Udine will host Friuli Doc.
Piazza Matteotti will be dedicated to tastings organized by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Friuli Colli Orientali e Ramandolo and the AIS.
Among the new features of the 32nd edition is the First Friulian Bitter Fair , further expanding the dialogue between wine, local products and gastronomic culture.
DiVino Etrusco 2026 in Tarquinia
From 20 to 23 August and from 27 to 29 August , Tarquinia hosts the twentieth edition of DiVino Etrusco .
Wineries and wines from cities linked to the ancient Etruscan Dodecapolis will be featured alongside guest wineries from Calabria, Sicily, and Sardinia.
An event that unites wine, history, culture, and the Mediterranean.
Wine, cheeses and mountain territories
A tasting brings together four great mountain cheeses— Maccagno Biellese, Bettelmatt, Castelmagno DOP d’Alpeggio, and Gorgonzola DOP piccante Riserva —with Franciacorta wines from Corte Fusia.
A journey dedicated to the dialogue between territories, ageing techniques, and food and wine pairings.
Padova 2027: Wine, Language, Literature, and Territory
The University of Padua announces the VI International Conference on Language, Literature, Wine and Territory , scheduled for 9 to 11 June 2027 .
The conference will analyze wine not only as an agricultural product, but as
QUIDQUID – Wine Press Review
The main Italian and international news dedicated to wine, cellars, viticulture, oenology, the market, investments, harvests and wine tourism .
The picture emerging from today’s news shows a rapidly changing sector: increasingly early harvests, pressure on inventories, the need to defend prices and margins, growing wine tourism, and increased attention to brand and regional value. Italian inventories, as of July 31, 2026, reached 42.6 million hectoliters, up 6.9% from the previous year, while the harvest is already well underway in many regions.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Carema, the heroic Nebbiolo of Piedmont
The small Carema DOC continues to represent one of the most distinctive examples of Piedmontese Nebbiolo. The Cantina dei Produttori Nebbiolo di Carema , founded in 1960 by ten winemakers, today has around one hundred members.
Production covers approximately 15 hectares of the DOC’s 25 hectares , with an average of around 50,000 bottles per year .
A distinctive feature are the terraced vineyards supported by traditional stone pillars, the “pilun,” which hold up the local pergolas called “topie”: a significant example of heroic viticulture and landscape conservation.
Dievole consolidates its relaunch in the Chianti Classico region
Dievole strengthens its position in the Chianti Classico region through organic vineyards, vinification in concrete vats, aging in large wooden barrels, and a company zoning project.
Among the flagship labels, the 2023 Chianti Classico DOCG Casanova stands out, coming from the cru of the same name. The company currently has 152 hectares of organic vineyards and produces a total of approximately 350,000 bottles .
Cordero di Montezemolo: Barolo between history and territory
The Monfalletto Estate of Cordero di Montezemolo represents one of the historic estates of the Langhe.
Today the company has 56 hectares of organic vineyards , distributed between La Morra, Alba, Castiglione Falletto, Guarene and Cherasco, cultivated mainly with Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, Arneis and Chardonnay.
Total production reaches approximately 300,000 bottles , with the Barolo Monfalletto 2022 among the representative labels.
Berlucchi closes a record harvest in Oltrepò Pavese
Berlucchi has completed the Pinot Noir harvest at its Oltrepò Pavese estate, acquired in 2023 and destined for the production of sparkling wine.
The harvest, which began on August 3rd , was completed in just ten days. The intense heat forced harvesting to be concentrated in the early hours of the day and required extensive organization of the work teams.
Tommasi focuses on widespread wine tourism
Tommasi Family Estates is increasingly transforming hospitality into a strategic component through Tommasi Wine Hospitality .
The group, founded in Valpolicella over 120 years ago and now also present in Collio, Montalcino, Vulture, Salento, and Etna, proposes a model in which each estate maintains its own identity, connecting wine, territory, culture, and hospitality.
Bosco alle Vigne invests in technology and organization
The Bolgheri winery Bosco alle Vigne is undergoing a major renovation, expanding its production facilities and improving its logistics.
The project includes advanced temperature control systems, new areas for grape management, and greater valorization of individual parcels, maintaining a winemaking philosophy geared toward limited intervention.
Novacella Abbey: wine, history, and wine tourism
Founded in 1142 , Novacella Abbey in South Tyrol is home to one of the oldest active wineries in the world.
Today, it produces around 900,000 bottles a year , 80% of which are white wines. The vineyards in the Isarco Valley reach altitudes between 600 and 900 meters.
The Abbey is also expanding its wine tourism offering, integrating wine, historical heritage, spirituality, and the local area.
Italian cellars become works of architecture
From Mario Botta’s Petra to Renzo Piano’s Rocca di Frassinello, up to the new Cantina del Cabreo inaugurated in May 2026, architecture has become an integral part of the positioning of major wineries.
A new Mario Botta project is also planned for the opening of the Terrabianca estate in Radda in Chianti in 2027 .
The contemporary winery is therefore not just a production site: it can become an element of branding, hospitality, communication, and heritage enhancement.
ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY
2026 Harvest: Good Quality, But Heat and Drought Bring Harvest Forward
The 2026 harvest is confirmed as one of the earliest in recent years. This phenomenon affects many Italian regions and is linked to high temperatures and the rapid ripening of the grapes.
In the Treviso area, quality prospects are considered very positive, but yields are uneven. Drought and the need for irrigation are the main challenges, especially in the foothills.
The situation is similar in Piana Rotaliana , where the first Chardonnays destined for sparkling wine have already entered the cellar. The grapes are healthy, and initial estimates indicate slightly higher production in 2025, but water availability remains crucial.
Even in the Euganean Hills and in the Maremma Toscana, the early harvest highlights how vineyard management and monitoring ripening have become crucial to determining the correct time for the harvest.
Piedmont: Early harvest, grape prices and inventory under observation
In Piedmont, the harvest began with Sauvignon, Arneis and Moscato, earlier than traditional calendars.
Despite the good quality prospects, however, the problem of inventory is weighing heavily. According to the information reported in the review, the Barolo and Barbaresco Consortium has urged its members to reduce production by 10% .
The issue fits into a national scenario characterised by 42.6 million hectolitres of wine in stock as of 31 July 2026, 6.9% on an annual basis .
Wine prices: the entire supply chain under scrutiny
Luca Cuzziol, head of Cuzziol Grandi Vini, draws attention to the issue of prices and margins.
According to the distributor, when faced with wines that are difficult to sustain commercially, one must also have the courage not to buy them.
The issue does not only concern restaurateurs or producers, but the entire value chain: price at source, distribution, restaurant markups, sales capacity and communication to the consumer .
Dealcoholized Wines: What Happens When You Remove Ethanol
The NO-LO segment continues to be a topic of discussion in the wine world.
Dealcoholization, however, begins with a wine obtained through normal fermentation. According to the review, below the thresholds established by the legislation, the classification changes, but the starting product remains wine vinified according to traditional procedures.
Natural wines: after the “funky wine” season
The so-called “funky” wine movement, particularly visible in the years before the pandemic, appears to have entered a more mature phase.
The debate is gradually moving from the alternative aesthetics of labels and the simple belonging to the “natural” world towards actual quality, territorial recognition and oenological correctness .
Wine and health: a new study reopens the debate.
Research presented in 2026 at the American College of Cardiology analyzed 340,924 adults from the UK Biobank , followed for an average of more than 13 years.
According to the data reported in the review, the study observed different profiles between moderate wine consumption and consumption of beer, cider, and spirits.
However, these are epidemiological associations , which do not demonstrate a direct cause-effect relationship and do not transform alcohol consumption into a health recommendation.
WINE TOURISM
18 million Italians choose wine-related experiences
Wine tourism continues to grow and is becoming increasingly important for the economy of wineries.
According to the report cited in the review, food and wine tourism involves approximately 18 million Italians, 4.5 million more than in 2024 .
Cinque Terre and Salento lead the list of destinations, followed by Chianti, the Amalfi Coast, and Etna, followed by Montepulciano, Montalcino, Langhe-Barolo, and Gallura.
Ferragosto confirms the strength of rural tourism
Around 700,000 Italian and foreign tourists spend the week of Ferragosto in Italian farmhouses.
According to Coldiretti/Ixè, 49% of Italians participate in activities such as tastings, visits to wineries, oil mills and dairies, or cooking classes.
The grape harvest becomes a tourist experience
Grape harvesting is no longer just an agricultural activity: more and more wineries are transforming it into an experience for wine lovers and tourists.
The phenomenon involves territories such as Bolgheri, Franciacorta, Oltrepò Pavese and Etna , combining participation in the harvest, tasting, hospitality and social communication.
The Buglioni Harvest Experience 2026 , scheduled from September 5th to October 4th in San Pietro in Cariano, Valpolicella, represents a concrete example: the visitor does not simply witness the grape harvest, but participates directly in the harvest.
Cembra Valley: the value of heroic viticulture
The Cembra Valley represents one of the most characteristic wine-growing landscapes in Trentino, with terraced vineyards and thousands of dry stone walls built on the slopes of the Avisio Valley.
It is an example of how landscape, heroic viticulture and territorial identity can become central elements of the narrative and attractiveness of a wine destination.
INTERNATIONAL
European wine benefits from the reputation of EU agri-food
The international reputation of European agri-food products continues to be supported by three fundamental factors: quality, safety and authenticity .
According to the Flash Eurobarometer 2026 cited in the review, conducted on 11,119 consumers in 11 non-EU countries , 40% of respondents declared they consume European agri-food products at least once a week.
Among the most receptive markets are the United Arab Emirates (58%), the United Kingdom (50%) and Saudi Arabia (45%) , while Mexico and Japan still show significant room for growth.
Fine wine: first signs of recovery
The international investment wine market is said to have reached a low in February 2026, before recording four consecutive months of recovery.
According to the analysis by Cult Wine Investment reported in the review, the recovery is driven mainly by a limited number of strong, emerging labels.
In the first half of 2026, Tuscany stands out with 1.52% , while Piedmont recorded -0.36% . In France, Champagne recorded 0.63%, Rhone 0.35% and Bordeaux 0.29%, while Burgundy (-0.2%) and US fine wines (-0.46%) remained in negative territory.
Istria: from seaside tourism to wine tourism
Croatian Istria represents an interesting model of tourism diversification.
The region has gradually used the strong appeal of its seaside resorts to direct some of its visitors inland, developing wineries, gastronomy, the region and wine-related experiences .
A model that also allows the tourist season to be extended beyond the traditional summer months.
Champagne 2026: Early Harvest in France, Too
The change in the harvest calendar doesn’t just affect Italy. In Champagne, spring frost, extreme heat, and drought have accelerated ripening, and in some areas, the harvest began as early as August 6, 2026 .
WINE EVENTS
Franciacorta Festival – September 18-20, 2026
Villa Franciacorta offers three days dedicated to experiencing the area, with guided tastings, visits to underground cellars, aperitifs in the vineyards, a Wine Garden, dinners under the stars, and even hot air balloon flights over the vineyards .
The Festival will take place from 18 to 20 September 2026 in Monticelli Brusati.
Caraglio – Discovering Merola Wine
On Saturday 22 August , starting at 5.30 pm from the Filatoio di Caraglio, a walk dedicated to the rediscovery of Merola wine is planned.
The tour will end with a tasting in the vineyard and a picnic with local products.
Trebisacce – Wine Festival Art
The 13th edition of the Wine Festival Art brought together 20 wineries from eight regions of Southern Italy .
The format combines wine, territory, and culture through tastings, painting, and satire, featuring companies from Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia, Campania, Lazio, Sicily, Abruzzo, and Sardinia.
Arcidosso: a new space dedicated to local excellence opens
The Porta Castello Association’s new winery has opened in Arcidosso, a space dedicated to Maremma and Amiata products.
Wine, oil, honey, gin, pasta and other local products coexist with exhibitions and cultural initiatives, creating a meeting point between agri-food, art and territorial promotion .
QUIDQUID – Wine Press Review
The main Italian and international news dedicated to wine, cellars, viticulture, oenology, the market, investments, harvests and wine tourism .