1. ITALIAN WINE AND ITALIAN OENOLOGY
Italian wine market at €3.1 billion: sales and consumption decline, bubbly on the rise.
The Italian wine market reached €3.1 billion with 713 million liters sold in the first eight months of 2026. According to NielsenIQ, the sector recorded a 1.3% decline in value and 2.8% in volume. The average price of wine and sparkling wines stood at €4.31 per liter, while that of traditional wines rose to €3.81 (1.6%). Sparkling wines and Champagne bucked the trend, generating €793 million in revenue, with increases of 1.1% in value and 1.4% in volume. Classic Method wines grew by over 6% in value and 9% in volume. The data were presented at the Wine IQ forum during Milan Wine Week.
Italian organic wine: Italy leads the US market with 51% of the value
The United States remains a strategic market for Italian organic wine. In 2025, US imports from Italy reached €35.6 million, and in the first eight months of 2026, they grew by 2.2%. According to the Ita.Bio analysis, conducted by Nomisma with the support of FederBio and promoted by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), Italy holds 51% of the US market for imported organic wine. This result strengthens the prospects for Italian organic exports in a market characterized by declining wine consumption and growing interest in innovative products.
Slow Wine 2027: 7,809 wines reviewed and 168 new wineries
The 2027 Slow Wine Guide was presented in Milan, featuring 7,809 wines reviewed from over 10,000 labels. This edition awards 247 Snails, 173 Bottles, 56 Coins, and 779 Top Wine awards, including the inclusion of 168 new wineries. The guide, dedicated to Carlo Petrini, promotes good, clean, and fair wine, with a particular focus on young producers and Southern Italy. However, the sector faces challenges related to declining consumption, US tariffs, and rising costs.
Vini ad Arte 2026: The subzones at the heart of Romagna Sangiovese's identity
In Milan, Vini ad Arte 2026 revitalizes the territorial value of Romagna Sangiovese, with 16 subzones and approximately 5,600 hectares dedicated to the grape. Expert Alessandro Masnaghetti's analysis highlights the role of geology, landscape, history, and local traditions in defining the wines' identity. The promotion of subzones becomes a tool for distinguishing production and strengthening the connection between the denomination and the territory.
Albana DOCG: forty years of history and new interpretations
Forty years after its denomination was recognized, Albana confirms its place among Italy's great white wines. The "Albana of Today" masterclass, held during Vini ad Arte 2026, presented various expressions of the Romagna grape, from fresh wines to long-aging passitos. Structure, personality, and longevity are the elements that underpin the renewed interest in this denomination.
Biodynamics and natural wine: Adriano Zago calls on the sector to change.
Enologist and biodynamic consultant Adriano Zago emphasizes the need to adapt the winemaking sector to climate, economic, and cultural changes. According to Zago, biodynamics is struggling to gain adequate regulatory recognition, partly due to the limited interest of large groups. Regarding the 2026 harvest, the change in weather conditions from mid-August onward has favored overall positive harvests, especially in Tuscany and Piedmont, with interesting qualitative results.
Natural Wine: Sustainability, Residues, and the Scientific Debate
The debate over natural wine focuses on agronomic practices, the use of pesticides, and sustainability. Natural wine is not automatically healthier than conventional wine, while the presence of residues and multiple substances in the same bottle continues to be subject to scientific evaluation. The challenge for the sector is to combine production transparency, food safety, and sustainability without simplification.
Assoenologi: New Generations, Gender Equality, and Consumer Transformation
Assoenologi Director Paolo Brogioni emphasizes the need to rethink production models, corporate organization, and wine communication. During the conference on equity and innovation at the University of Milan, the role of women, research, and training in renewing the supply chain emerged. Changing consumption habits require new strategies and increased dialogue with younger generations.
AIS brings wine culture to agricultural institutes
The Italian Sommelier Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Next AgrInnovation National Network, which brings together over 150 agricultural and agri-food institutions. The project includes educational activities on sensory analysis and the wine and olive oil supply chains, with the aim of developing professional skills and promoting agri-food culture. The AIS specifies that the initiative focuses on training and knowledge, not on promoting underage drinking.
Wine and Health: David Khayat Calls for Responsible Communication
Oncologist David Khayat, founder of the National Cancer Institute and winner of the 2026 Masi Civiltà del Vino International Prize, discusses the relationship between wine, health, and risk perception. His statements encourage a distinction between statistical risk and harmfulness, but they do not constitute proof of wine's therapeutic benefits. Current health evidence does not identify a risk-free level of alcohol consumption: moderation does not eliminate the potential negative effects.
Independent Winemakers: Territory, Direct Sales, and Wine Tourism
According to the Nomisma Wine Monitor analysis presented with FIVI, independent winemakers play an important role in protecting local areas, especially in the most vulnerable regions. Member companies show a significant presence of young people, women, and foreign workers. Wine tourism and direct sales represent strategic levers for competitiveness, while a simplified platform for managing excise duties could foster export growth.
Women in Wine: Growing Female Leadership in Campanian Wineries
Five female entrepreneurs discuss the growing role of women in Campania's viticulture. Among the leading businesses are I Favati, led by Rosanna Petrozziello, and Tenuta Cavalier Pepe, managed by Milena Pepe. Female leadership contributes to the development of hospitality, the enhancement of local identities, and the promotion of Campanian wines on national and international markets.
Tuscany: Wineries hold firm, but profit margins are under pressure.
A preliminary analysis of 130 Tuscan wineries, conducted by the Management DiVino Study Center at Studio Impresa, highlights an overall resilient sector, but impacted by rising costs and market difficulties. Smaller companies are more exposed. The topic was discussed in Florence during the meeting "Wine Balance Sheets," promoted by the Italian Academy of Vine and Wine and Women of Wine.
The 2026 harvest in Carmignano: high quality and declining production
Wineries in the Carmignano district describe a good-quality 2026 harvest, despite the summer heat and challenges related to energy costs. According to Filippo Contini Bonacossi of Tenuta di Capezzana, winter, spring, and summer rains favored the vines' balance and the ripening of the grapes. Production is slightly lower than in 2025, while investments in photovoltaic systems are helping to contain costs.
2. ITALIAN WINERIES
Livio Felluga: The historic map turns 70
In 1956, Livio Felluga introduced a historic map of Friuli-Venezia Giulia on his labels, transforming the region into a distinctive element of the company's identity. Seventy years later, the famous map continues to showcase the Friulian hills, the ponca grape, and the connection to the Abbey of Rosazzo. A vertical tasting of Terre Alte, from 1999 to 2021, celebrates the history and longevity of the winery's wines.
Forbes Italia: Four Tuscan wineries among Italy's 15 most beautiful
Forbes Italia's ranking of the country's most beautiful wineries highlights the intersection of architecture, landscape, and wine tourism. Tuscany is the most represented region, with four wineries, followed by Sicily with three, and Lombardy and Umbria with two each. Among the examples cited is the Antinori winery in Chianti Classico, designed by Marco Casamonti and Archea Associati and nestled into the hilly landscape.
Tenute dei Ciclopi opens a tasting room in the center of Catania.
Tenute dei Ciclopi opens a new space dedicated to tasting Etna wines on Thursday, October 29th, at 7:30 PM, at Via Transito 38, in Catania's historic center. The project brings the winery experience to the city, offering the public a direct encounter with the company's wines and the Etna winemaking heritage.
Di Prima Winery and Baglio Donna Franca: Last Autumn Events at the Winery
The event, promoted by the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil (IRVO), concludes its journey through Sicilian wine regions. On Saturday, October 24th, the event will take place at the Di Prima Winery in Sambuca di Sicilia; on Sunday, October 25th, at 4:00 PM, at Baglio Donna Franca, in the Marsala countryside. The program includes vineyard tours, tastings, meetings with experts, live cooking, and music, in collaboration with initiatives dedicated to the Italian wine landscape.
Gualtieri Cooperative Winery: Lambrusco Reggiano Flies to New York
The Gualtieri Social Winery is participating in Vinitaly America in New York for the first time, bringing a selection of wines tied to local tradition to the United States. The tasting includes Fogarina, Ligabue, the Naif Classic Method, and an ancestral wine made from Maestri grapes. The participation aims to strengthen the international visibility of Reggio Emilia wines and develop new business relationships.
Cantina Quistello 1928: Equalitas-certified sustainability
The historic Mantua cooperative, founded in 1928, obtained Equalitas certification for its sustainable organization in 2021. Its model focuses on traceability throughout the entire supply chain, from vineyard to consumer. Its products include Lambrusco Mantovano DOP red and rosé, Bianco Frizzante di Quistello IGP, and Metodo Classico sparkling wines.
Campanian wineries: the protagonists of a female-led viticulture
The growth of female leadership is evident in the experiences of companies like I Favati, in Cesinali, and Tenuta Cavalier Pepe, in Sant'Angelo all'Esca. The latter produces approximately 400,000 bottles and sells 80% of its production in Italy. The stories of these female entrepreneurs illustrate the value of hospitality, professional expertise, and the promotion of Campania's appellations.
Upper Tiber Valley: Five producers at BEVI 2026
Five wineries from Tuscany and Umbria are participating in the second edition of BEVI – Borgo Eccellenze Vinicole Italiane. Among the participants are Società Agricola Aliotti, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Podere Volterrena, with Sangiovese, Merlot, and white blends. The event showcases local producers and products that combine tradition and innovation.
Gualtieri's social winery: Fogarina celebrates Reggio Emilia's identity.
Participation in the New York event allows the cooperative to also present Fogarina, a variety tied to local tradition, along with sparkling wines and a wine produced using the ancestral method. The goal is to strengthen the commercial positioning of Reggio Emilia wines on international markets.
3. INTERNATIONAL
Champagne: Shipments are recovering, with Italy among the most important markets.
On Champagne Day on October 23, the Comité Champagne reported a recovery in house shipments: in the first half of 2026, 107.1 million bottles were shipped, up 1.2%. The supply chain generated revenues of approximately €5.7 billion. In 2025, Italy was the sixth-largest market in the world by volume, with 7.8 million bottles imported, and the fifth-largest by value, with €210 million. Moët & Chandon also features in the official toast of Formula 1.
Argentina: Wine exports up 24% in September
Argentine wine exports reached 230,744 hectoliters in September 2026, a 24% increase year-over-year. According to the Argentine National Institute of Viticulture, bottled wine grew by 26% and bulk wine by 18%, while bulk white wines recorded a 329.4% increase. Between January and September, exports totaled 1.48 million hectoliters, up 3.2%. Concentrated grape must also performed well.
Nebbiolo: A selection of the best wines in the 2027 Wein Guide Italy
The Wein Guide Italien 2027, with tastings evaluated according to the 100-point Falstaff system, offers a selection of 204 wines made from the Nebbiolo grape. The initiative highlights one of the great protagonists of Italian viticulture, highlighting its diverse territorial and stylistic expressions.
4. WINE EVENTS, TERRITORIES AND WINE TOURISM
FISAR: The National Congress brings Magna Graecia wines to Cilento.
From October 23rd to 25th, the Olimpia Cilento Resort & Spa in Ascea Marina will host the 54th FISAR National Congress. The program includes the Magna Graecia Wine Show, tastings of Mediterranean Diet products, meetings on promoting the region, and the final of the FISAR Best Sommelier 2026 competition. The initiative also involves the archaeological parks of Paestum and Velia and the University of Salerno.
Born Sustainable: Prosecco Superiore, Barbera d'Asti, and Roccaverano, together for sustainability.
The European project Born Sustainable unites the Consortium of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, the Consortium of Barbera d'Asti and Vini del Monferrato, and the Consortium for the Protection of Roccaverano DOP Cheese. The initiative promotes a development model that integrates environmental protection, social well-being, and economic sustainability, enhancing local production and communities.
Barbera d'Asti Wine Festival: A Call to Politics Amid Tariffs and Declining Youth Consumption
In Milan, the 2026 Barbera d'Asti Wine Festival sparked discussion on the challenges facing the wine sector. Consortium President Filippo Mobrici highlighted the effects of tariffs, international conflicts, and the economic downturn. The debate also focused on the need to rethink wine communication to engage with younger generations, enhancing territorial identity and sustainability.
Vinacria Wine Fest 2026: Over 100 Producers in Radicepura
On November 15 and 16, 2026, Radicepura in Giarre, Sicily, will host the third edition of Vinacria Wine Fest. Over 100 Sicilian, Italian, and international producers will meet alongside producers of Champagne, spirits, and overseas territories. After the first two editions in Syracuse, the event aims to transform Sicily into a platform for international dialogue for wine and new generations of producers.
Scodellando 2026: Historic Buttafuoco takes center stage in Oltrepò Pavese
On Sunday, November 8th, Scodellando returns, the event dedicated to Buttafuoco Storico, a distinctive wine produced in seven municipalities of the Versa Valley. The program includes visits to wineries and vineyards, a vertical tasting of Buttafuoco, and pairings with seasonal local products, followed by lunch at the winery featuring wines from Buttafuoco Club members.
Grado by bike: wine, culture, and wellness among the lagoon and vineyards
Autumn offers the opportunity to discover Grado and the surrounding area along the Alpe Adria Cycle Route and the Adriatic Sea Cycle Route. The route can continue to Aquileia, a UNESCO World Heritage site linked to a millennia-old winemaking tradition and the Friuli Aquileia DOC. Winery tours and tastings alternate with explorations of Grado's historic center, museums, and the Marine Baths, offering wellness and thalassotherapy options.
Langhe: a three-day itinerary through Barolo, villages, and castles
The Langhe offers a food and wine itinerary that combines vineyard landscapes, historic villages, castles, and Piedmontese cuisine. Among the main stops is Barolo, home of the eponymous DOCG wine produced from Nebbiolo, with the Castello Falletti, the WiMu – Wine Museum, and the Corkscrew Museum. Winery tours and tastings complete a journey to discover one of Italy's UNESCO-recognized winegrowing landscapes.
Vini ad Arte 2026: Albana showcases the white Romagna region
The Milanese event dedicated a masterclass to Albana, Romagna's historic grape variety, highlighting its versatility and aging potential. From fresh versions to long-aging passito wines, the tasting showcased the diverse interpretations of a denomination aiming to strengthen its recognition and territorial identity.
Auction of the County's great wines: €58,000 raised for the historic heritage
The fifth auction of the County's great wines, held in Castagnavizza, raised €58,000 with 40 participants and bids of up to €6,000 for lots of 300 bottles. The proceeds will go towards the restoration of the monastery and the Coronini family's properties.
Falerno Cultural Award: recognition for the valorization of the Falerno del Massico DOC
The Papa family of Falciano del Massico has established the first edition of the Falerno Cultural Award in memory of Gennaro Papa, founder of the winery. The award celebrates the commitment to promoting wine culture and the Falerno del Massico DOC, a designation revitalized thanks in part to the restoration and enhancement of historic vineyards.
BEVI 2026: The wine excellences of the Upper Tiber Valley
The second edition of Borgo Eccellenze Vinicole Italiane brings together five producers from the Upper Tiber Valley in Tuscany and Umbria. The wines featured include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Merlot, and white blends. The event highlights small wineries and the connection between winemaking research, tradition, and the local area.
Autumn in the Cellar: Sicily Celebrates Vineyards, Tastings, and Landscape
The final stages of the IRVO event will take place on October 24th at the Di Prima Winery in Sambuca di Sicilia and on October 25th at the Baglio Donna Franca in Marsala. Vineyard tours, tastings, meetings, and performances showcase local production as part of the first Italian Viticultural Landscape Day, promoted by Iter Vitis.
Champagne Experience: Bologna at the Center of Sparkling Wine Culture
The ninth edition of Champagne Experience confirms BolognaFiere's role as the Italian reference point for Champagne knowledge and tasting. The event is part of a consolidated commercial relationship between Italy and France and a phase of gradual recovery in shipments from the houses.
IN SHORT
WINEIDEA – Wine Press Review A selection of the main news on Italian and international wine, including the market, companies, regions, sustainability, and events.
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