Wine press review for Saturday, May 23, 2026!

Italian wineries

• The Conegliano Valdobbiadene Hills confirm the value of Prosecco Superiore DOCG, thanks to heroic viticulture, UNESCO territories, and prestigious crus like Cartizze. Interest in authentic experiences including wineries, landscapes, and food and wine tourism is growing.

• Freccianera continues to represent one of the most elegant expressions of the Italian Classic Method in Franciacorta, valorizing a completely internal supply chain and a history that began in 1927.

• Novacella Abbey in South Tyrol, active since 1142, remains one of the oldest wineries in the world with 800,000 bottles produced and a strong international presence.

• The Scacciadiavoli winery in Montefalco returns to the forefront with the presentation of the historical volume dedicated to the birth of modern Umbrian viticulture between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

• The Corteros winery in Piove di Sacco has won important international awards with its Charpy Brut, which won both the Venice International Wine Trophy and the Diapason Award at Vinitaly.

• Attems, a historic Collio winery belonging to the Frescobaldi group, presents the first red in its history: the Brezich Collio Doc Cabernet Riserva 2021.

• Tenuta Neri in Cesena continues to collect international awards thanks to its Romagna wines, enhancing a family tradition that began in 1951.

• Cantine Mucci in Abruzzo confirms the value of evolutionary whites with the Falanghina Terre di Chieti IGT Cantico 2021, an identity expression of the Abruzzo region.

• Kellerei Kaltern continues to represent a model of successful South Tyrolean winemaking cooperation with over 520 members and 3.4 million bottles produced.

• Librandi continues its work promoting native Calabrian grape varieties with the 2023 Magliocco Megonio, a symbol of regional winemaking research. • Gianni Gagliardo confirms the prestige of the 2021 Barolo Lazzarito Vigna Preve, a benchmark cru in Serralunga d'Alba.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

• The Mediobanca survey confirms a slowdown in the Italian wine sector: declining sales, weaker exports and declining consumption both in Italy and on international markets.

• Italy remains the world's leading producer, with 44.4 million hectoliters and nearly 20% of global production. However, concerns are growing about overproduction and the structural decline in consumption.

• The Mediobanca report highlights a challenging 2025 for the sector: US exports are declining, margins are falling, and the market is increasingly selective. Companies are focusing on diversification, marketing, and new markets.

• The dealcoholized and low-alcohol wine segment is growing. Mack & Schühle Italia is investing in "Made in Italy" dealcoholization with new technologies and a projected production capacity of 7.5 million bottles per year.

• The issue of plant protection residue management returns to the forefront in view of the 2026 harvest, especially after the Methoxyfenozide case which emerged in the 2025 campaign.

• The debate on wine and health remains heated following the statements of Professor Silvio Garattini who called for a reduction in the consumption of alcohol and red meat.

• However, Italian exports continue to show positive signs on a general level: in March, Made in Italy products grew by 7.4%, supported above all by industry.

• Italian beekeeping generates up to 2 billion euros in agri-food value thanks to pollination, confirming the strategic role of agricultural biodiversity.

• The 2026 Food&Science Festival relaunches the role of science and innovation in agriculture through robotics, drones, sustainability, and precision agriculture.

• The Cities of Wine welcome the Municipality of Gessopalena in Abruzzo, strengthening the network of Italian wine-growing territories.

• The Calabria Region publishes the new call for tenders for the CMO Wine Promotion of Third Countries for the 2026/2027 campaign with a deadline set for 15 July 2026.

International

• In France, the crisis in the wine sector continues: in 2025, the average value of vineyards will fall by 2.9%, with major difficulties especially in the Bordeaux area.

• Albania is aiming to relaunch its national wine. Prime Minister Edi Rama is launching a project inspired by the Italian model with the support of winemaker Riccardo Cotarella.

• The international growth of natural wines and slow tourism in Sardinia continues thanks to the “Giugno Slow” event and the “Vite e Vite” exhibition dedicated to independent winemakers.

Wine events

• Cantine Aperte 2026 recorded record numbers in Abruzzo with 53 companies involved, confirming the growth of regional wine tourism.

• Sicily also marks a historic edition of Cantine Aperte with over 30 participating wineries and strong growth of the Sicilian Wine Tourism Movement.

• “Sersale in Cantina” promotes local self-produced wine through tastings, typical products and local participation.

• In Milan, during Best Wine Stars 2026, producers and restaurateurs discuss the future of wine in the restaurant industry and the need for a new commercial balance.

• Valtenesi in Rosa celebrates the 130th anniversary of Chiaretto in Moniga del Garda with over 100 labels for tasting.

• South Tyrolean sommelier Mirko Rainer sets a new world record for sabre-opening: 96 bottles opened with a sabre in one minute.

Thanks for listening, we remind you that today's wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .

See you tomorrow.