Wine press review for Friday, May 29, 2026!

ITALIAN WINERIES

Derthona increasingly a protagonist among Piedmontese white wines

Timorasso continues to grow thanks to Walter Massa's pioneering vision. The Derthona project confirms its position as a benchmark for quality Piedmontese white wines, while the debate now focuses on the development of future subzones.

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie: Yields reduced for the 2026 harvest

The Consorzio DOC delle Venezie is reducing production yields to limit supply and maintain market balance in a context characterized by slowing consumption and struggling exports.

Compagnia del Vino obtains gender equality certification.

The company becomes the first Italian wine distributor to be certified UNI/PdR 125:2022, confirming the sector's focus on social sustainability and human capital development.

Sardinia takes center stage at the 2026 IWC Vermentino

Five of the eight Gran Medaglia d'Oro awarded by the international competition go to Sardinian producers. The overall best wine was Gabriele Palmas' Solotredici 2023.

Sardinian Cannonau takes center stage at Grenaches du Monde

Terre di Baquara won the gold medal in the prestigious international competition dedicated to Grenache wines, confirming Sardinia's leadership in the global Cannonau scene.

Confcooperative: Cooperative wine accounts for over 60% of national production.

The Italian agri-food cooperative system reaches a turnover of 38 billion euros and confirms its central role in the national wine supply chain.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Extra-EU wine exports still declining

In the first quarter of 2026, Italian wine exports outside the European Union fell 11%. The United States fell 20.5%, while Russia, China, Brazil, and Mexico all grew.

Frescobaldi: Beware of Overproduction

The UIV president calls on the sector to be cautious: overproducing risks further depressing prices in an already complex market phase.

Artificial intelligence increasingly present in viticulture

From vineyard management to vine genetics, AI is already an operational reality and represents one of the main tools for addressing sustainability and climate change.

Birds and climate change: the debate begins

Elena Pantaleoni (La Stoppa) offers a reflection on the regulatory limits of volatile acidity in light of new climatic and production conditions.

Pesticides: The EU opens up to drones

The European Council has initiated the regulatory process that will allow drone spraying, with the aim of simplifying agricultural practices and improving operational efficiency.

Grapevine Burns: Increased Attention to Heat Damage

High temperatures pose a growing threat to vineyards. Research identifies new strategies to protect grape bunches and yield quality.

We People Wine: the manifesto for a new wine communication strategy is born.

Producers and communicators are calling for simpler, more inclusive, and more human-friendly language, moving beyond excessive technical jargon.

The new routes of Italian wine

According to Master of Wine Cristina Mercuri, the sector will have to rethink communications, markets, and consumer relations to address ongoing changes.

Natural wine as a cultural phenomenon

In sociologist Davide Sparti's new book, natural wine is analyzed as an expression of culture, identity, and social identity, as well as an oenological one.

INTERNATIONAL

Fine Italian wines seeking new markets

Alongside the USA, Germany, and the United Kingdom, interest in Asia, Africa, and South America as strategic destinations for great Italian wines is growing.

Piedmont takes center stage at Vinexpo Asia

Thirty-five Piedmontese companies are participating in the Asia-Pacific region's main wine fair in Hong Kong, strengthening trade ties with eastern markets.

Wines Experience arrives in Vietnam

BolognaFiere brings Italian wine to Ho Chi Minh City with an innovative format dedicated to B2B meetings between producers and international buyers.

Italian exports outside the EU grew in April

Italian exports increased by 11.3%, driven by China, Switzerland, India, and the United States.

WINE EVENTS

Open Cellars 2026 takes center stage throughout Italy

On May 30th and 31st, over 600 wineries will open their doors to visitors with tastings, guided tours, immersive experiences, and wine tourism initiatives.

Friuli Venezia Giulia: 84 stops between wine and territory

The 33rd edition of Cantine Aperte involves 82 wineries and two distilleries with tastings, wine tourism tours, and even hot air balloon flights.

Abruzzo: 52 wineries participating in Cantine Aperte

Thousands of visitors are expected for one of the most important events in regional wine tourism.

Euganean Hills: nature and tastings

Local wineries offer tours, food events, and outdoor activities in the heart of the Regional Park.

Tufaio Winery (Lazio)

A weekend dedicated to tastings, vineyard visits, and exploring the volcanic heritage of the Castelli Romani.

Garda DOC: sustainability at its core

On June 4th, an evening dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and the future of the denomination will take place at the Rocca di Lonato.

Polpenazze del Garda Wine Fair

From May 29th to June 2nd, over 150 wines will be available for tasting and more than 20,000 visitors are expected.

Buttrio Regional Wine Fair

From June 5th to 7th, the historic Friulian event reaches its 93rd edition with tastings, competitions, and the traditional Palio delle Botti.

Midsummer Celebration at Josetta Saffirio

On June 20th in the Langhe, an experience combining wine, contemporary cuisine, and mixology among the rows of vines.

Food and wine tourism: the course begins in Treviso

The free training program for Specialist Technicians in Food and Wine Tourism, a sector that continues to experience sustained growth, is now underway.

Monferrato: The Infernot, a heritage to be discovered

The historic cellars dug into the tuff are increasingly becoming a tourist and cultural attraction.

Trentino: the cellar in the mountains

Moncalisse offers a wine tourism experience also suitable for families, combining architecture, nature, and Trentodoc.

The news of the day

Exports and supply management will be the two strategic themes of summer 2026. On the one hand, the decline in Italian wine sales in the United States (-20.5%), on the other, the decisions of the Consortia (Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Prosecco, and Brunello) to limit production to avoid market imbalances. The sector is gradually shifting from a focus on volume growth to value management.

Press review provided by WINEIDEA.IT .

See you tomorrow with new news from the world of wine.