Wine press review for Friday, July 24, 2026!

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector.

Italian Wineries

• Vitevis invests in bottling : the Veneto cooperative completes a new production line that increases bottling capacity by 25%, ready for the 2026 harvest.
• Bortolomiol celebrates the 60th anniversary of Prior Brut : the historic Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene celebrates a wine that anticipated the evolution of the Brut style in the area.
• Mack & Schühle relaunches La Versa : after acquiring the historic Oltrepò Pavese winery, the group is focusing on the Classic Method Pinot Noir and supporting the need for industrial mergers in the Italian wine industry.
• Cantina del Taburno confirms its leading role in the Sannio area, promoting Aglianico and Falanghina through over 300 members and 600 hectares of vineyards.
• Albino Armani is working to restore the vineyards devastated by the tornado in the Adige Valley, aiming to save part of the 2026 harvest.
• The Farnesina launches a multimedia project dedicated to Italian signature wineries to promote wine, architecture, and wine tourism in international markets.

Italian Wine and Oenology

• In the first quarter of 2026, world wine trade recorded a decline of 7.5% in value and 7.9% in volume , confirming a still difficult international market.
• Veneto is growing : regional agriculture will reach 8.5 billion euros in 2025 (7.4%), with a harvest exceeding 15 million quintals.
• Flavescence dorée : alarm is growing and authorities are calling on winegrowers to carry out mandatory checks and promptly remove infected plants.
• ClimaVitEr develops new strategies to make viticulture in Emilia-Romagna more resilient to climate change.
• Italian study on sulphites : research from the Polytechnic University of Turin highlights that, in addition to alcohol, sulphite content could also influence driving behavior.
• Fine Wine : Liv-Ex indices show signs of stabilization and a slight improvement in the outlook for the second half of 2026.
• High inventories and declining consumption continue to represent one of the main critical issues in the European wine sector.
• Vinarius emphasizes that the drop in consumption cannot be attributed exclusively to prices charged in restaurants.

International Scenario

• France : Over 770,000 hectoliters requested for crisis distillation, with Bordeaux among the areas most affected.
• Champagne : yield for the 2026 harvest set at 8,800 kg/ha , the fourth consecutive year of reduction to rebalance stocks.
• Bordeaux continues to face structural challenges due to changing consumer tastes, generational turnover, and growing international competition.

Territory, Environment and Viticulture

• Over 1,000 signatures in the Belluno area against the expansion of intensive vineyards and for greater regulation of pesticide treatments.
• In Follina, discussions continue over the new Ligonto vineyard, with requests for a suspension of operations and environmental inspections.
• Piedmont expands the possibility of carrying out controlled burning of agricultural waste, also including vineyards and orchards during authorized periods.

Market, Business and Trends

• Industry operators are calling for greater industrial aggregation to create internationally sized Italian groups.
• The Fine Wine segment is showing signs of recovery, supported above all by great Italian wines.
• There is growing interest in simpler, more accessible wine communication, which is closer to new consumers.
• Wine tourism experiences continue to represent one of the main tools for promoting Italian wineries.

Wine Events

• The Wine Nights liven up Friuli Venezia Giulia with events in Palazzolo dello Stella, Codroipo, and Premariacco.
• Calici di Stelle 2026 debuts in Gorizia with new tastings and events directly in the wineries of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
• Wine Not? returns to Rometta (Sicily) on August 2nd with tastings, culture, and a celebration of local excellence.
• The Brunello di Montalcino Consortium is stepping up international promotion efforts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

The most relevant news of the day

• World wine trade opens 2026 with a -7.5% .
• Veneto records record growth in agriculture (7.4%).
• ⚠ Controls against flavescence dorée have been strengthened.
• Vitevis increases bottling capacity by 25%.
• France and Champagne are taking measures to rebalance the market.
• Fine Wines are showing the first signs of recovery.
• Investments in promotion, wine tourism, and innovation are growing to support Italian wine.

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