Wine press review for Saturday, August 8, 2026!

Good morning,

The Italian wine sector is entering the 2026 harvest amidst a complex landscape: heat and drought are bringing forward the harvest, while high inventories and slowing demand are pushing several denominations to reduce yields.

At the same time, many wineries are reacting by focusing on quality, sustainability, innovation, the Classic Method, wine tourism, communication and new segments such as No/Low Alcohol wines .

ITALIAN WINERIES

Venturini: Amarone between respect for the land and tradition

In San Pietro in Cariano, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica region, the Venturini family continues to focus on tradition, paying particular attention to vineyard management and the drinkability of their wines.

The winery has approximately 12 hectares of vineyards , almost 90% of which are hillside, and produces approximately 120,000 bottles a year , half of which are exported. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara represent the winery's varietal heritage, and it also owns 40-60 year-old vines.

Serena Wines 1881 diversifies towards Classic Method and No-Alcohol

The historic Conegliano company, led by the fifth generation of the Serena family, produces over 30 million bottles and is particularly present in the Prosecco DOC and DOCG sectors and in the Horeca channel.

The company's future strategy focuses on diversification and premium positioning. At Vinitaly 2026, Audace , the company's first Metodo Classico, was presented. Serena is also looking into the alcohol-free segment and expanding its portfolio with a Champagne.

Berlucchi brings forward the harvest to 4 a.m.

To counteract the particularly high temperatures, Berlucchi decided for the first time to begin harvesting the grapes destined for Franciacorta at 4 in the morning .

Harvesting at night improves working conditions in the vineyards and simultaneously brings fresher, better-preserved bunches to the cellar.

A choice that highlights how climate change is also concretely modifying the organization of wineries.

Braida engages consumers through a digital quiz

Braida, a historic Piedmontese winery in Rocchetta Tanaro, is leveraging digital communication to connect with wine enthusiasts and younger generations.

The company, which has around 70 hectares of vineyards and produces around 600,000 bottles , has created the digital quiz “Play with Braida”, dedicated to learning about the company, Barbera and its wines.

Librandi awarded for sustainability and agroecology

The Calabrian winery Librandi received the "Ambassador of the Territory" award at Festambiente for its commitment to environmental sustainability and agroecological innovation.

The company was also awarded for its “glyphosate-free” approach and for the strategies adopted for the sustainable management of the vineyards.

Valtidone Wineries: Very early harvest, but quality grapes

The first 900 quintals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have arrived in Borgonovo.

The heat significantly accelerated ripening, but at the same time limited mold and disease. Initial assessments indicate healthy grapes and very good quality, particularly in the more mature vineyards.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

Veneto: harvest brought forward by 8-10 days

The 2026 harvest in Veneto should remain overall close to the quantities of 2025, when approximately 14.7 million quintals were harvested, albeit with some territorial reductions.

The quality of the grapes is indicated as good to excellent .

The heat and water shortage brought forward the harvest by about 8-10 days .

The most critical situations concern Treviso, Vicenza, and especially Verona. For Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, decreases of up to 10-12% are expected.

The situation in Padua and Rovigo is improving thanks to greater irrigation availability.

The phytosanitary situation is also positive: the reduced rainfall has limited downy mildew and powdery mildew.

Sardinia: Harvest brought forward by up to two weeks

Temperatures above 40 degrees are pushing several wineries belonging to Confcooperative Cagliari to bring forward the harvest by up to two weeks .

The goal is to preserve the quality of the grapes and protect workers from extreme temperatures.

If the heat continues, however, there could also be a reduction in production.

Puglia: Over 5 million hectoliters of unsold wine

One of the most delicate situations comes from Puglia.

According to data reported by Cantina Italia-Masaf, there are over 5 million hectolitres of unsold wine in Apulian cellars, of which more than 3 million belong to the IGP and DOP categories.

The region has approximately 94,000 hectares of vineyards and represents between 16% and 18% of national wine production.

The problem therefore does not appear to be productive, but above all commercial.

Rising costs, declining consumption, export difficulties, and changing consumer preferences are squeezing companies' profitability.

Tuscany: a vintage and a half of wine in the cellars

Tuscany is also facing high inventories.

According to the information reported, the cellars contain the equivalent of approximately one and a half years of production .

The Region has therefore accepted requests from several Consortia, including Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Chianti and Toscana IGT, aimed at reducing yields.

The goal is to rebalance production and demand, support prices, and protect company profitability.

2026 Harvest: More and More Appellations Reduce Yields

Supply management is becoming one of the central themes of Italian wine.

Following Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto, Marche and Abruzzo are also adopting measures to limit production.

Yield reduction and storage are used to avoid further inventory growth and realign production with actual demand.

The strategic theme is increasingly evident: produce less when necessary to protect the value, prices and profitability of the supply chain .

Wine Consortia: New Skills Coming Soon

The sector awaits the new "consortium decree," intended to implement EU Regulation 2024/1143 and some of the indications contained in the "Wine Package."

The Consortia will be called upon to take on a broader role in the protection, promotion, valorization, consumer information, supervision and management of the denominations .

The discussion should continue with the Regions after the summer break.

Attilio Scienza: Rethinking grape varieties and denominations in the face of climate change

Professor Attilio Scienza offers a profound reflection on the future of Italian wine.

The system built on denominations and historic grape varieties has contributed enormously to the success of Made in Italy, but climate change and evolving consumption patterns could make greater flexibility necessary.

The point is not to abandon the DOCs, but to allow viticulture to evolve as the climate, environment, and market preferences change.

Water and vineyards: attention to resource sustainability

In the Treviso DOCG area, the problem of unauthorized withdrawals of drinking water intended for vineyard irrigation has emerged.

According to reports, over 2,800 cubic meters were removed per day for approximately a month.

The case highlights how water management is becoming strategic for viticulture, especially in years characterized by high temperatures and drought.

Italian rosés: an increasingly autonomous category

Rosé wine is gradually overcoming its image as an exclusively seasonal product.

More and more producers are planning their rosé right from the vineyard, choosing specific parcels, harvest times, and winemaking techniques.

Growth is supported by the demand for fresh, versatile and gastronomic wines, but above all by the qualitative improvement of the offer.

Classic Method: Growing Interest in Premium Sparkling Wines

The Classic Method continues to represent one of the most interesting segments of Italian sparkling wine production.

Franciacorta, Trentodoc, and Alta Langa are building an increasingly recognizable offering, based on terroir, refinement, quality, and premium positioning.

Among the labels and companies highlighted are Casa E. di Mirafiore Alta Langa Brut Blanc de Noir 2021, Altemasi Trento DOC Brut Rosé Riserva 2019 and Oro Rosso Trento DOC di Cembra Cantina di Montagna .

South Tyrol: Biodiversity, Territory, and Identity

Among the properties reported are Manincor, Ritterhof and Muri-Gries.

Manincor cultivates 52 hectares and produces around 350,000 bottles following biodynamic principles.

Ritterhof , owned by the Roner family, has around 40 hectares of vineyards and achieves a production of around 380,000 bottles.

Muri-Gries , a historic South Tyrolean monastic winery, manages approximately 70 hectares distributed throughout the province of Bolzano.

Romagna: Longanesi's Anemo among the top 6 regional wines

Daniele Longanesi's Anemo, a red passito made from 80% Longanesi grapes and 20% Balsamina, has been included among the six Top Wines of Romagna 2026 by the AIS guide "Emilia Romagna da Bere e da Mangiare".

Production is limited to approximately 2,000 bottles per year.

Marche: Verdicchio takes center stage with Casalfarneto

Casalfarneto, in Serra de' Conti, has approximately 60 hectares in total , of which 35 are vineyards.

A full 28 hectares are dedicated to Verdicchio.

Production reaches approximately 1.2 million bottles a year , with particular attention to the promotion of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi.

Sardinia: quality on the rise

Vinodabere's Guide to the Best Wines of Sardinia 2027 has tasted over 600 samples .

328 wines received a review and 117 a Standing Ovation, representing 35.67% of the selected wines. Seven wines achieved the highest score of 100/100.

INTERNATIONAL AND NEW TRENDS

Can alcohol-free wine become an answer to the consumer crisis?

With traditional wine consumption declining in several European markets, some producers, particularly German and Spanish, are looking with increasing interest at the No-Alcohol segment.

New technologies are improving the quality of dealcoholized products, and the sector could represent an opportunity for diversification.

Even important Italian companies are starting to move in this direction.

Sustainability, health, and no/low alcohol are at the heart of the future.

The comparison between Artificial Intelligence and producers carried out by WineNews highlights some of the themes destined to most influence wine in the coming years:

sustainability, health, changing consumption patterns, No/Low Alcohol, and the ability to communicate wine to new generations.

These are issues that numerous Italian producers are discussing, including representatives of Tedeschi, Fonzone, Fèlsina, Planeta, Marco Felluga, Bellavista, Hans Rottensteiner, Argiolas, and Sturm.

WINE EVENTS

August 10: Calici di Stelle travels across Italy

The night of San Lorenzo will represent the central moment of Calici di Stelle 2026 , an initiative of the Wine Tourism Movement.

Hundreds of events will involve Italian wineries, villages, castles, and wine regions.

Tastings, music, tours, and astronomical observations will transform wine into a tool for telling the story of the region, its culture, and wine tourism.

Alba: The "Nights of Wine" are back

On Monday 10 August , starting at 7pm, Via Cavour in Alba will host the second edition of the “Notti del Vino”.

13 Alba wineries will be the protagonists, within a city network that includes a total of 23 production facilities.

The goal is to bring residents, tourists, and enthusiasts closer to the area's wine production.

Tarquinia: DiVino Etrusco 2026

From 20 to 23 and from 27 to 29 August 2026 , the historic centre of Tarquinia will host the twentieth edition of DiVino Etrusco.

The event brings together wine, history, culture, and the territories of the ancient Etruscan Dodecapolis.

The 2026 edition also extends the itinerary to Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria , strengthening the link with Mediterranean winemaking culture.

QUIDQUID – Wine Press Review A summary of the main news in the sector dedicated to entrepreneurs, wineries, investors and professionals in the supply chain.