Wine press review for Friday, September 18, 2026!

Good morning,

Markets, wineries, exports, innovation, regions, and events: a summary of the key news shaping the Italian and international wine world.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Berlucchi renews its Nature line

Berlucchi is transforming its historic '61 Nature line into Vintage Nature , strengthening its position in the reserve segment. The vintage Franciacortas in the line mature on the lees for over five years and include the 2020 Vintage Nature Terroir, the 2019 Blanc de Blancs, and the 2019 Rosé de Noirs.

Fattoria La Maliosa: a new winery nestled in the Maremma landscape.

In Saturnia, Fattoria La Maliosa has inaugurated a winery designed to blend into the landscape with minimal visual impact. The winemaking spaces are mostly underground, and the roof has been transformed into a garden. The estate now extends over approximately 170 hectares .

Caiarossa: Biodynamics and an International Vision in Tuscany

Located in Riparbella, in the Cecina Valley, Caiarossa represents an intriguing blend of Tuscan tradition and international culture. The estate encompasses approximately 100 hectares, 40 of which are vineyards . Since 2004, it has been owned by the Dutch Albada Jelgersma family, who have continued to develop the project while maintaining its territorial and biodynamic identity.

Candido: Relaunching the Historic Apulian Winery

A year and a half after acquiring Candido , the Paolo Leo family presents the first results of its relaunch project: renovation of the historic San Donaci headquarters, new production spaces, a revamped product line, and development of wine tourism. Marketing of the winery's historic wines has returned to profitability, with revenue growth projected at 33% .

Solopaca Winery: 60 Years of Cooperation

The Solopaca Winery celebrates its sixtieth anniversary. Founded in 1966 by 25 winemakers, it represents a historic example of cooperation aimed at promoting local grapes and strengthening producers' bargaining power.

Moser: new generation and family continuity

The Moser family winery in Trentino continues its generational journey. Ignazio Moser combines family tradition with a growing focus on research, innovation, and brand development, maintaining the Metodo Classico as a key aspect of production.

Passo delle Tortore: Wine, Women, and Family in Irpinia

In Pietradefusi, in the province of Avellino, Passo delle Tortore is a winemaking project with a strong female leadership. Four women in the family, along with winemaker Francesco De Pierro, are transforming a family legacy into a contemporary project rooted in the identity of Irpinia.

Delibori Cellars: Recognition for Alta Corte Lugana

Cantine Delibori's Alta Corte Lugana 2025 received 90 Falstaff points in Ulrich Sautter's 2026 evaluation.

ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY

Italian exports: first half of 2026 still difficult

In the first six months of 2026, Italian wine exports reached approximately 3.6 billion euros , with a contraction of 6.2% in value and 4% in volume compared to the same period in 2025.

Sparkling wines show greater staying power: around 1 billion euros of exports , 0.4% in value, with 252.2 million litres exported (-0.7%).

Regional Exports: Italy at Two Speeds

Veneto remains the leading exporting region with approximately 1.3 billion euros , despite an 8.4% decline. Piedmont grew by 2.4% to 566 million euros, surpassing Tuscany , which fell to 543 million (-7.4%).

Declines were also recorded in Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Abruzzo, Sicily, Marche, Campania, Lazio, Umbria, and Sardinia.

United States: A positive sign arrives in July

After a difficult few months, Italian wine exports to the United States rebounded in July: 9.5% in value and 1.3% in quantity , according to EU Commission data processed by the UIV Observatory. The average price also rose by 8%.

The monthly figure represents a signal to follow in the coming months, without erasing the weakness recorded in the first half of the year.

Primitivo di Manduria: bottlings on the rise, but pricing remains a sticking point.

Bottlings increased by 6% for Primitivo PGI and 12.6% for Primitivo di Manduria PDO . The Consortium emphasizes, however, that the growth in bottled wine does not automatically lead to an increase in grape prices. Inventories and winegrowers' remuneration therefore remain key issues.

Sicily: Concerns Over Unsold Wine and Costs

The situation of Sicilian cooperative wineries has come to the attention of the Sicilian Regional Assembly's Productive Activities Commission. Among the problems reported: wine still to be sold, rising costs and financial burdens, declining consumption, and commercial difficulties .

Interest in low-alcohol wines is growing

Naturally low-alcohol wines are attracting increasing attention in Italy and international markets. However, the industry is calling for more precise definitions to distinguish naturally low-alcohol wines from dealcoholized products.

Italian sparkling wines and climate change

Following the Comité Champagne's decision to raise the maximum permitted alcohol content from 13% to 15%, the debate has also affected Italy. In the Oltrepò Pavese area, according to data cited by the Consortium, the average alcohol content has remained around 12.3-12.4% since 2018, indicating very different conditions than in Champagne.

Training: The Wine Business Program is back

Italia del Vino, together with Luiss Business School, is relaunching the Wine Business Program 2026 , aimed primarily at young undergraduates and graduates. The goal is to bridge the gap between academic training and the skills required by wine businesses.

Adriano Zago: 25 years of agronomy, oenology, and biodynamics

Agronomist, oenologist, coach, and trainer, Adriano Zago has been working in agronomic and oenological consulting for 25 years in Italy, Europe, and the United States. Over the course of his career, he has supported over 150 companies , working on the entire production process and introducing the biodynamic approach, even in large-scale wineries.

INTERNATIONAL

Global exports: different strategies between France, Argentina, Chile, and Spain

The first half of 2026 showed very different situations among the main producing countries. Argentina increased export volumes by 16.3% and value by 4.2%, but with an average price reduction of 10.4%.

Chile and Spain, on the other hand, had to deal with smaller harvests and consequent different price dynamics.

France: Axel Heinz talks about the challenges of winemaking

Winemaker Axel Heinz , after almost 18 years at Ornellaia and now at Château Lascombes, describes a particularly complex French context for wine, citing advertising constraints, generational changes and growing attention to health aspects.

Champagne and alcohol content

The Comité Champagne has raised the maximum permitted alcohol content from 13% to 15%, a measure linked to the particularly hot weather conditions of the year. The decision reopens the international debate on the impact of climate change on viticulture and production styles.

TERRITORIES, WINE TOURISM AND NEW TRENDS

September: Italy's wine region is revealed during the grape harvest

The grape harvest continues to be one of the most attractive times to experience Italy's wine regions firsthand. The Langhe, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli, Sicily, and other areas of the country transform the harvest period into an opportunity for experiential tourism.

Langhe: wine, landscape, and hospitality

The Langhe , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, demonstrates the power of the interplay between vineyards, villages, gastronomy, and hospitality. Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Arneis, and Moscato become part of a broader regional experience beyond mere tasting.

From wine to beauty care

In Guagnano, Salento, Cantina Moros by Masseria Surani offers "RADICATE," an experience that combines wine, art, and botanical cosmetics. Grapes and pomace are enhanced as ingredients for skincare products, showcasing new uses for byproducts of the winemaking industry.

Wine and Sports: Prosecco DOC and Asti DOCG Focus on Volleyball

The relationship between wine denominations and sports continues. The Prosecco DOC Consortium is partnering with Imoco Volley Conegliano, while the Asti DOCG Consortium becomes the official sponsor of Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri '76 for the 2026-2027 season.

WINE EVENTS

September 19 – La Viarte, Eastern Hills of Friuli

In Prepotto, a day dedicated to wine, music, food, and contemporary art . Artist Gianpaolo Pagni will create a limited edition of labels live, accompanied by tastings and music.

September 19 – Vinetica and Alta Langa Day, Ferrara

At Castello Estense, 35 wineries from the Alta Langa DOCG Consortium will be the protagonists, with tasting tables and masterclasses dedicated to Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs.

September 20 – Vo' Grape Festival

In Vo', in the Euganean Hills, the traditional Grape Float parade returns, with events at 3:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

September 20 – Open Cellars for Harvest in Tuscia

Poggio Bbaranèllo , in Montefiascone, opens its winery for the End of Harvest Festival: meetings with winemakers, tours of the production facilities, and tastings in the Lake Bolsena area.

September 26 – Walk through the Boca vineyards

The walk through the Boca vineyards returns to the Novara area, included in the national project of Collective Agricultural Identity itineraries.

September 26 – ROOTED in Salento

At Cantina Moros, wine, pomace, botanical cosmetics, art, and sustainability take center stage in an experience dedicated to the integral valorization of the raw materials.

September 30–October 4 – Unusual Marsala 2026

Five days between Marsala, Trapani, and the Egadi Islands , with over 40 events dedicated to wine, gastronomy, hospitality, culture, and communication.

October 25–26 – Taste Alto Piemonte in Giardini Naxos

The Consorzio Tutela Nebbioli Alto Piemonte brings Alto Piemonte wines to Sicily with tastings and meetings aimed at professionals, the press, and wine enthusiasts.

October 25–26 – Gambero Rosso celebrates 40 years in Rome

At La Nuvola in Rome, Gambero Rosso will celebrate forty years of activity with two days dedicated to great wines, cuisine, pizza, regions, and the transformation of taste.

THE PICTURE OF THE WEEK

The news of September 18th shows a wine sector in a phase of strong transformation.

Italian exports remain under pressure , but sparkling wines are proving more resilient, and the first signs of recovery are coming from the United States in July. At the same time, inventory levels, grape prices, and cooperatives' difficulties confirm that managing volumes and profitability remains key.

On the business front, other important signals are emerging: brand repositioning, investments in wineries, generational turnover, training of new skills, wine tourism and diversification of the wine-related experience .

Italian wine, therefore, no longer competes solely through its bottle. Territory, brand, hospitality, sustainability, communication, innovation, and commercial prowess are becoming part of the same development model.

Today's wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT.

See you tomorrow.