Wine press review for Friday, April 3, 2026!

Here's a brief press review of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector, highlighting the most relevant topics for businesses, wineries, and wine market participants.

Italian wineries

Tenute Nicosia relaunches the Hybla brand at Vinitaly 2026. The historic Etna winery presents the redesign of its Hybla line, dedicated to Vittoria wines, at Vinitaly. The company, founded in 1898 and now in its fifth generation, manages approximately 85 hectares on Etna and 60 in southeastern Sicily, all organically farmed.

Argentiera, the Bolgheri project with an international vision. The Bolgheri estate Argentiera strengthens its position among the leading producers in the appellation. With the arrival of Austrian entrepreneur Stanislaus Turnauer and the technical guidance of winemaker Nicolò Carrara and general manager Leonardo Raspini, the company consolidates a strategy focused on quality and international reach.

Rechsteiner: wine, culture, and sustainability in Veneto. The historic Piavon estate in Oderzo (Treviso), led by Baron Florian von Stepski-Doliwa, integrates viticulture, culture, and tourism. With 54 hectares of vineyards and approximately 120,000 bottles produced, the company focuses primarily on Prosecco DOC, mostly destined for export.

Biondi-Santi between wine and culture with "La Voce di Biondi-Santi." The historic Montalcino winery continues the cultural project that accompanies the release of new vintages. The fifth edition features young writers from the Holden School of Turin, creating a literary podcast that explores the value of the "Generation" between tradition and the future.

Cantine Rivera hosts the Master of Wine course. In Andria, Cantine Rivera hosted an introductory course from the Institute of Masters of Wine for the first time in Puglia. The initiative involved professionals from nine European countries, strengthening the connection between international education and the region.

New commercial synergies with "Galassia – World Wine Network" A commercial network uniting Medici Ermete, Cantine Giacomo Montresor, and Terre Cevico has been established. The goal is to optimize commercial resources and strengthen their presence in international markets through a shared strategy.

Terre d'Oltrepò, rescue increasingly uncertain. The future of the Lombardy cooperative Terre d'Oltrepò is becoming more complicated. Collis Veneto Wine Group has withdrawn its interest due to low grape deliveries expected for 2026, far below the volumes needed to support the business plan.

Trebbiano di Spagna returns to prominence in Emilia. The Trebbiano di Spagna grape variety was featured on the Rai program "È sempre mezzogiorno." The Buonariva winery in Castelvetro is focusing on the revival of native varieties to strengthen the identity and originality of local wines.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Dealcoholization: Italy accelerates its efforts to develop low- and no-alcohol wines. Following the Masaf-Mef decree clarifying the issue of excise duties, businesses are increasingly interested in producing dealcohol-free wines. Northern Italy is leading the way, with initiatives in Veneto, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna, and initial developments in Puglia.

Caviro launches Tavernellow 3%. The Romagna-based cooperative group has invested €1.8 million in a dealcoholization plant at its Savignano plant. The facility can produce up to 30,000 liters per day, with an annual potential of over 9 million bottles.

Piedmont experiments with dealcoholized wines from native grape varieties. The “Devin0” project, developed between Italy and France, studies dealcoholization applied to varieties such as Barbera, Dolcetto, Cortese, Moscato Bianco and Brachetto, with the aim of creating zero-alcohol wines without losing their territorial identity.

Vermentino increasingly a symbol of Maremma The Top Ten of the Vermentino Grand Prix 2026, promoted by the Consorzio Vini Maremma Toscana, confirms the growth of this iconic white wine, which represents approximately 32% of the DOC's production with over 2.4 million bottles.

Pizza and wine: an increasingly popular pairing. More and more Italian pizzerias are introducing structured wine lists and tasting menus. Wine and pizza pairing is evolving toward a more informed approach, overcoming the traditional dominance of beer.

Forest and Vineyard: New Scientific Discoveries According to Professor Attilio Scienza, biological communication exists between trees and vines through volatile organic compounds that promote resistance to climate stress and parasites, improving the balance of viticultural ecosystems.

The aperitif market shows signs of crisis. In 2025, out-of-home consumption grew in value (1.5%) but with fewer visits (-1.1%). The geopolitical context and economic uncertainty are changing consumer behavior, especially in the HoReCa channel.

Agricultural Diesel Tax Credit Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida announced the introduction of a tax credit to offset the rising cost of agricultural diesel, a measure requested by industry organizations.

International

Prosecco under pressure from EU-Australia deal. Producer Sandro Bottega criticizes the trade agreement between the European Union and Australia, which would allow the use of the term "Prosecco" for some Australian wines destined for the domestic market for ten years. According to the producer, the measure risks causing significant economic damage to Italian businesses.

Wine events

Vinitaly and the City livens up Verona. From April 10th to 12th, the Vinitaly off-site event will bring tastings, shows, and cultural initiatives to Verona's historic center. Purchased tokens can also be used along the Valpolicella Wine Route until May 3rd.

Vinitaly 2026: Lombardy takes center stage between wine and tourism. The region will be present at the fair with a pavilion integrating wine, gastronomy, and local promotion, also focusing on the international visibility linked to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Lazio brings the "Dolce Vita" concept to Vinitaly. Sixty-one companies and three regional consortia will be present with a space of over 2,000 square meters. The project aims to showcase wine as part of a broader system of cuisine, culture, and hospitality.

Alto Adige Wine Road: Spring among vineyards and villages With 4,400 hectares of vineyards and a 150-kilometer route through 15 villages, the Alto Adige Wine Road is one of Italy's main wine tourism itineraries.

National Exhibition of Dessert and Meditation Wines . The 22nd edition of the event dedicated to dessert wines will be held in Volta Mantovana from May 1st to 3rd. Greece will be the international guest of honor for the 2026 edition.

Strategic Summary The Italian wine landscape highlights three strong trends: technological innovation (dealcoholization and new products), growing integration between wine, tourism, and culture, and increased international competitive pressure on the most iconic appellations. In this scenario, companies are focusing on territorial identity, commercial synergies, and new consumption models to strengthen their positioning.