Wine press review for Monday, August 31, 2026!

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents the main news from the world of wine, wineries, and viticulture in Italy and internationally.

ITALIAN WINERIES

SETTESOLI, FIRST SICILIAN LICENSE FOR DEALCOHOLICATED WINE

Cantine Settesoli, a cooperative in Menfi, is the first Sicilian winery to obtain a tax license to produce dealcoholized and low-alcohol wines.

The company already has a vacuum evaporation system that allows for alcohol reduction by operating at low temperatures, limiting the alteration of the wine's aromatic characteristics. The first orders for foreign markets have reportedly already been received.

A concrete sign of Italian wineries' interest in the no-low-alcohol segment and new consumer markets.

RICCI CURBASTRO: FRANCIACORTA, AGRICULTURE AND HOSPITALITY

The Ricci Curbastro family continues a long agricultural tradition between Romagna and Franciacorta. The Franciacorta estate cultivates 33.5 hectares of vineyards and produces approximately 200,000 bottles annually.

Alongside the wine production, there is an agritourism and an Agricultural and Wine Museum, opened in 1986. Among the representative labels is the Franciacorta DOCG Dosaggio Zero Gualberto 2016.

AEOLIAN ISLANDS: PRODUCING WINE IN SALINA, WHERE THE TERRITORY DICTATES THE RULES

Natascia Santandrea and Luca Caruso have transformed their experience in fine dining and hospitality into a winemaking project on the island of Salina.

EOLIA was founded in 2020 with the acquisition of the first plots in Valdichiesa, on the slopes of Monte Fossa delle Felci. A project that explores the challenges, but also the distinctive value, of viticulture in the Aeolian Islands.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

2026 HARVEST: COLLIO DI CONEGLIANO DOCG EARLY, FIRST POSITIVE INDICATORS

On the hills of Conegliano, the harvest began early, aided by the mild, dry weather of recent weeks.

According to the Consorzio Vini Colli di Conegliano DOCG, initial indications show good ripening of the grapes, particularly those destined for still wines, leading to expectations of wines with good expressiveness.

OLTREPÒ PAVESE: HAIL ON VINEYARDS DURING THE HARVEST

A violent hailstorm hit several areas of eastern and central Oltrepò Pavese on August 28, right during the grape harvest.

Areas affected include Stradella, Broni, Canneto Pavese, Zenevredo, Arena Po, and Bosnasco. Engineers are assessing the extent of the damage to vineyards and agricultural structures.

ABRUZZO: GRAPE PRODUCTION DECLINES UP TO 40% IN THE CHIETI AREA

Prolonged drought and high temperatures are having a severe impact on the Abruzzo grape harvest.

In the province of Chieti, where approximately 75% of the regional vineyards are concentrated, the first harvests show production reductions of between 25% and 40% compared to the average .

Drier bunches, lighter berries, and lower yields add to a picture already characterized by rising costs and high inventories.

Umbria: Wine Enrichment Authorized for the 2026 Harvest

The Umbria Region has authorized the enrichment of musts and wines to address the effects of heat and drought.

Between May and July, significant water deficits and temperatures above historical averages were recorded. In June, in particular, the average temperature was 3.8 degrees higher, while precipitation decreased by 39%.

Grape prices: winemakers' concerns grow

A new sign of the economic difficulties facing viticulture comes from Puglia.

Some producers report that grape prices are insufficient to cover the costs incurred throughout the year. The reasons cited include high wine inventories, weak demand, higher production costs, and the effects of climate change.

The central theme of the 2026 harvest is therefore increasingly the relationship between quantity produced, available wine, grape prices, and the profitability of the supply chain.

Large-scale retail trade: wine prices are falling, but prosecco and classic method prices are growing.

In the 12 months ending in July 2026, Italian large-scale retail trade sold approximately 414 million litres of wine , down 3.4%, for a value of approximately 1.8 billion euros , down 1.2%.

Sparkling wines buck the trend: 1% in volume and 1.2% in value.

Prosecco reaches around 40 million litres, 3.8%, while the Italian Classic Method records particularly significant growth: 7.6% in quantity and 6.2% in value .

SPARKLING WINES: THE "MIDDLE WINE" SEEKS A NEW IDENTITY

Italian sparkling wine is going through a repositioning phase.

Consumption in large-scale retail trade is decreasing and sparkling wines produced using the Martinotti-Charmat method have conquered consumption opportunities traditionally occupied by semi-sparkling wines.

The challenge for producers will be to redefine the category's identity, positioning, and consumption opportunities.

ITALIAN WHITES: GROWING, BUT STILL STRUGGLING WITH INTERNATIONAL POSITIONING

For over ten years, Italian white wines have overtaken reds, but their value and diversity still don't seem to be fully understood in the international premium segment.

The problem mainly concerns the positioning of native grape varieties and the ability to communicate abroad the complexity and distinctive characteristics of great Italian white wines.

A phenomenon also confirmed by some Italian wine shops: in certain situations, it can be easier to sell a €70 Burgundy than a €40 Italian white.

SOUTH TYROL: 67% OF VINEYARD AREA TOWARDS CERTIFIED SUSTAINABILITY

The Alto Adige Wine Consortium continues its journey towards Agenda 2030.

The SQNPI certification project, which started in 2022 with around 100 companies, today involves a very significant part of regional viticulture, reaching approximately 3,913 hectares, equal to 67% of the vineyard area in Alto Adige .

MARRIED VINE: REVIVAL OF INTEREST IN AN ANCIENT FORM OF VITICULTURE

The married vine, or alberata, is one of the oldest training systems in Italian viticulture.

The vine grows by leaning on living trees and can reach considerable heights. Widespread for centuries in various Italian regions and linked to agricultural traditions of Etruscan origin, today it survives in only a few areas.

Some companies are recovering this system as an element of biodiversity and historical and cultural heritage.

SARDINIA: SEVEN WINES REACH 100/100

Vinodabere's 2027 Sardinia Wine Guide evaluated over 600 wines.

331 wines were reviewed, 118 of which received a Standing Ovation and seven labels were awarded 100/100 .

The 2025 vintage is judged to be particularly positive for white wines, especially Vermentino.

INTERNATIONAL MARKET

Bulk Wine 2026: Global Trade Sharply Contracted

The international bulk wine market continues to slow down.

In the first quarter of 2026, according to data reported by the Interprofesional del Vino de España on the main world markets, approximately 720.4 million litres were marketed, a contraction of 15.5% , for a value of 581.2 million euros, -15.3%.

Bulk wine is one of the categories most affected, while global wine trade as a whole has seen a 7.9% drop in volume.

MALLORCA: A WINE-GROWING IDENTITY BASED ON NATIVE VARIETIES

Mallorca strengthens its identity in the Mediterranean wine scene through varieties such as Manto Negro, Callet, Fogoneu and Gorgollassa for the reds and Prensal Blanc, Giró Ros and Malvasia for the whites.

Predominantly calcareous soils, marine influence, altitude, and the protection of the Serra de Tramuntana contribute to creating different territorial expressions in the island's denominations.

WINE EVENTS

FRANCIACORTA IN CANTINA FESTIVAL 2026 – SEPTEMBER 18-20

The Franciacorta in Cantina Festival returns from September 18th to 20th 2026 .

For three days, producers and wineries will open their doors to visitors with tastings, tours, meetings, and insights into the Franciacorta Method, its terroirs, and production techniques.

Restaurants, accommodation facilities and hospitality operators will complete the offering, strengthening the relationship between wine, the territory and wine tourism .

VINESTATE 2026 – TORRECUSO, SEPTEMBER 3-6

From September 3rd to 6th, Torrecuso, in the province of Benevento, hosts the 51st edition of VinEstate.

The theme of the 2026 edition is "Sannio en route to the America's Cup Naples 2027" , with the aim of creating a connection between wine, territory, sea and tourism in view of the major international event.

FRANCIACORTA INTERNATIONAL AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO PIA BERLUCCHI

The Franciacorta International Award will dedicate three events in September to the memory of Pia Donata Berlucchi, a key figure in the growth of Brescian viticulture and the success of Franciacorta.

This is a recognition of his long career in the wine world and his contribution to promoting the denomination.

CHAMPAGNE EXPERIENCE 2026 IN BOLOGNA – OCTOBER 4-5

On October 4th and 5th, BolognaFiere will host the ninth edition of Champagne Experience.

125 Maisons are expected, together with importers, distributors, catering professionals and enthusiasts.

The event, dedicated entirely to Champagne, returns to Bologna after the 2025 edition, which attracted over 7,000 attendees, a 20% increase compared to the last edition held in Modena.

WINE CONCERT: MUSIC AND WINE AT THE VIGNAMATO CELLAR

The Pergolesi Spontini Festival brought the Wine Concert project to the Vignamato Winery in San Paolo di Jesi.

A visit to the winery, tastings, and music have created an experience that unites winemaking, culture, and the local area, confirming the growing role of wineries as places of experience as well as production.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

The August 31, 2026, review presents an Italian wine sector characterized by strong contrasts.

On the one hand, drought, hail, and declining yields are impacting the harvest in several regions. On the other, inventory levels remain high and pressure on grape prices is increasing, further threatening the economic balance of the supply chain.

On the domestic market, still wine is slowing, while Prosecco and Metodo Classico continue to grow . At the same time, new opportunities are emerging: dealcoholized wines, certified sustainability, the promotion of Italian white wines, wine tourism, and experiences integrating wine, hospitality, and the local area.

On the international front, the sharp contraction in bulk wine confirms that future competition will increasingly be based solely on volume.

The message that emerges is clear: for Italian wine, the challenge is not simply to produce more, but to produce what the market is willing to recognize, differentiate, and reward.

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

See you tomorrow.