Wine Report of September 20, 2025

Wine report for today, September 20, 2025, with updated data and operational analysis to support your acquisition, sale, or positioning decisions.

Key numbers of the day

Italian wineries (news, strategies, mergers, events)

• No significant mergers have been reported recently; the prevailing strategy is to differentiate between quality and terroir rather than aggregation. Various sources emphasize that many wineries are focusing on improved agricultural practices, territorial identity, and certifications.
• Some wineries are putting pressure on their contractors/suppliers (e.g. in Trentino) to adjust their remunerations, given the rising costs and pressure on margins.
• Recent noteworthy events: Sip of Italy / Wine Enthusiast in New York with over 300 Italian labels, an opportunity for international visibility.

Italian wines (new labels, awards, trends)

• Italian sparkling wines: holding steady or growing in some markets; volumes of sparkling wines increase (0.1%) despite a slight decline in overall value.
• Prosecco DOP: continues to be a driving force, with growing volumes and a strong presence on foreign markets.
• White and sparkling wines in large-scale retail trade: still white wines and sparkling wines are the best-performing categories in many large-scale retail channels; red and sparkling wines are suffering losses in volume.
• The trend of “drinking better, not as much”: consumers are becoming increasingly selective, prioritizing identity, sustainability, packaging, and authenticity.

Italian wine trends (exports, consumption, economic data)

• Exports maintain almost the same value share as in 2024 (-0.47%), but volumes are decreasing: -3.1%.
• The 2025 harvest promises good quantities (8%) and high quality, but with significant stocks (cellars already have high stocks) which require the domestic and foreign markets to absorb the surplus.
• Regional: Veneto consolidates its export leadership (1.5% value, approximately €1.4 billion). Tuscany and Piedmont slightly decline in value.
• Large-scale retail trade: stable or slightly growing in value; volume losses, especially for generic wines, non-premium reds, and larger formats. Sparkling wines and white wines are the most resilient categories.

Emerging Risks & Opportunities

Here they are, with practical suggestions for interventions that can make a difference:

• Opportunities: Premiumization & Territorial Enhancement Investing in labels with strong territorial ties, historical heritage, and native grape varieties; producing wines with distinctive packaging and storytelling communication can yield higher margins in foreign markets.
• Opportunity: Sparkling Wines as a Strategic Lever The sparkling wine segment is currently one of the few experiencing significant growth; wineries with production capacity, reputation, and quality control can increase their export/domestic spending share by leveraging this category.
• Risk: Margin Compression for Non-Differentiated Wines Generic wines, non-premium reds, and large or bulk formats risk seeing margins eroded by energy costs, tariffs, and unfavorable exchange rates. It’s important to evaluate whether to continue in these segments or reorient.
• Opportunities: Non-EU markets and geographic diversification. Positive signs from Canada, the USA (despite tariffs), and Australia. Asian markets are declining in some cases, but demand for quality remains high. Strengthening sales, logistics, and brand awareness in those markets showing growth is worthwhile.
• Risk: Inventory and Average Price Management With the harvest increasing and stocks already large, those who do not monitor the unit cost/price ratio may find themselves forced to discount, promotional offers or sales below cost, which damage their positioning.

Final summary

Italian wine is experiencing a precarious balance , but it’s not without levers for building value. Despite stable exports in value and supported by specific segments (sparkling wines, leading regions like Veneto), the challenge of declining volumes and cost pressures remains. The 2025 harvest offers an excellent opportunity in terms of both quantity and quality, but the surplus and inventory necessitate a careful differentiation strategy (premium, terroir, packaging) and a strong commercial presence in markets that reward these characteristics.

Recent Updates (Italy & Global)

News from the wineries and the winemaking industry:

• According to the 2025 harvest survey by Assoenologi UIV ISMEA, Italian production is estimated at ≈ 47.4 million hectoliters , 8% compared to 2024. Grapes in good-excellent general condition.
• At the regional level, Veneto remains the leading producing region (~12 million hl), followed by Puglia and Emilia-Romagna. Tuscany recorded a sharp decline (-13%) compared to the previous year.
• Foreign markets: Italian exports grew in value (1.5%) and volume (2.1%) in the first six months of 2025 in the main international markets, despite trade tensions, tariffs, and inventory postponements.
• Wine prices and segmentation: slight increase in producer prices (Producer Price Index 1%), but differing trends: 4% for white table wines; decline for DOC‑DOCG red wines; slight increase for IGT.
• Domestic consumption in Italy is slowing: in large-scale retail channels, value is stable or slightly increasing, but volume is decreasing; “traditional” formats (0.75 L, bottles up to 2 L, bricks) are declining, while alternative formats such as bag-in-box are seeing slight increases.
• Innovation & Sustainability: Recent studies highlight the growing use of targeted agronomic practices, water management, preventative pest management, and technologies such as artificial intelligence to monitor vineyards, predict phenolic maturity, and optimize resources.
• Awards / Prizes: Italy wins 138 medals at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards , with 6 “Best in Show”.

M&A Radar

Ideas for professional posts

1. Title: “2025 Harvest: How to Make the Most of a Blessed Harvest in a Saturated Market” Focus: Analysis of strategies wineries can adopt to avoid devaluing their production — product differentiation (premium, organic, sustainable), supply chain agreements, contractual financing, strong territorial branding.
2. Title: “Wine M&A Transactions: Emerging Opportunities Between Internationalization and Consolidation” Corner: Recent case studies (Fantini, GIV, Campari/Caffo) to understand the drivers of acquisitions: access to land, geographic diversification, economies of scale, quality control; tax and organizational implications.
3. Title: “Prices, Costs, Markets: The Delicate Balance Between Profitability and Competitiveness in Italian Wine” Focus: Production costs (labor, energy, transportation), the risk of US tariffs, the € exchange rate effect, and how these factors are pushing or compressing margins; practical suggestions for protecting them (market diversification, added value, premiumization).

Italian wineries (news, strategies, mergers, events).

Today, September 14, 2025

• Tasca d’Almerita was registered in the Special Register of Historic Brands of National Interest by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy in 2025, confirming the historical and identity value of its Sicilian estates.
• Gruppo Mezzacorona remains a leading player in the cooperative landscape: with hundreds of members, a large vineyard area, and high production (over 45 million bottles), it represents a leading cooperative model in Trentino-Alto Adige/Sicily.
• Highlighted event: “Italian Wine in the Spotlight in New York” (September 11), where over 300 Italian labels were presented to the public and foreign operators, a useful opportunity to strengthen the positioning of the US/international markets.

Italian wines (new labels, awards, trends)

• New labels and restyling : Tenuta del Buonamico has revamped the labels of iconic wines such as Cercatoja, Il Fortino, Vasario, Mio, Vivi, and Dea Rosa to enhance the wines’ personality, an aesthetic pleasure that also supports marketing/positioning strategies.
• International recognition : Ferrari Trento received a 100/100 score from Decanter for its 2009 Riserva Lunelli, and unveiled the new 2015 vintage of its Giulio Ferrari Rosé. This reinforces the reputation of excellence for Italian sparkling wines around the world.
• Sparkling wine trends : according to Valoritalia 2025, sparkling wines recorded a 5% growth in value in the certified market, while red wines suffered a significant decline (-6.8%).

Italian wine trends (exports, consumption, economic data)

• Exports : In the first six months of 2025, Italian wine exports showed mixed results. Markets such as Canada, Japan, and Australia recorded strong growth; conversely, the UK, China, Switzerland, and South Korea reported declines.
• The first four months of 2025 closed with exports declining in both volume (-3.7%) and value (-0.9%), totaling ~2.5 billion euros. The impact of US tariffs exacerbated the situation.
• Domestic consumption : the negative trend continues, with decreases especially in off-trade channels (-4% in volume; −1.5% in value) not fully offset by increases in unit value due to premiumization.

Final summary

Italian wineries confirm that historical value, distinctive quality, and territorial identity are assets that make a difference in international markets today. However, price pressure, trade barriers, and rising costs require specific strategies: diversifying the offering, investing in sustainability, and strengthening the brand in more stable or expanding markets.

Sparkling wines continue to be a key driver, while the decline in red wines highlights that without innovation, targeted marketing, and production cost control, it will be difficult to contain losses. Exports remain the key variable for 2025: balancing risks and opportunities in foreign countries will be crucial for sustaining growth and creating real value.

cellars, wines and general trends in Italian wine.

Wine Report of September 13, 2025

Italian wineries

• Strategic Moves – Several cooperatives and family businesses are rethinking their business models in light of declining consumption and price pressures. There is a growing focus on diversification, with expansion into hospitality and experiential tourism.
• New memberships in protection consortia – Wineries from Oltrepò and Campania aim to strengthen their collective identity, taking a cue from historic clubs (such as Buttafuoco Storico) that have successfully built shared value.
• Sustainability Investments – Projects related to renewable energy and regenerative agriculture are starting to impact budgets: no longer “ethical choices” but competitive levers.

Italian wines

• Sparkling wines increasingly central – Bubbles confirm their resilience, both in large-scale retail trade and in exports: many regions are experimenting with native grape varieties.
• Minor Grape Varieties Being Rediscovered – From Pallagrello Nero to Magliocco, the desire to differentiate oneself on international markets by showcasing typicality and territorial narrative is growing.
• Awards – Italy consolidates its presence in the 2026 guides (Slow Wine, Gambero Rosso forthcoming), with a particular focus on Sardinia, Calabria, and emerging areas of the South.

Trend of Italian wine

• Exports in precarious balance – Following ISTAT data for the first half of the year (-0.4% in value, -3.1% in volume), consortium analyses indicate that the second half of the year will be crucial in determining whether exports will hold up in 2025.
• Domestic consumption – The domestic market continues to show contractions in volumes, partially offset by the slight increase in values (inflation and premiumization effects).
• Key markets – USA and Canada remain in positive territory; Europe struggles with Germany and the UK, Asia slows; Russia declines sharply.
• Industry Reflection – More and more voices, from Slow Food to consortia, are calling for the need to reduce overproduction and focus on quality and agroecology.

Summary of September 13, 2025 : Italian wineries are undergoing a reorganization phase, amid economic pressures and the search for new avenues for growth. Native wines and sparkling wines remain the strongest assets, but the challenge remains balancing production, declining domestic consumption, and struggling exports.