Wine press review for Saturday, September 26, 2026!

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents the main news from the world of wine, wineries, oenology, and wine tourism in Italy and abroad.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Italian Wine Brands: Revenues Down, Top Brands Up

Italian Wine Brands closed the first half of 2026 with revenues of 175.3 million euros , down 5.31% compared to the same period in 2025. Adjusted EBITDA stood at 19.1 million (-12.8%) and net profit at 7.9 million (-23.9%).

The financial position, however, improved, with net debt falling to 81.8 million euros , 8.7 million less than in June 2025.

The group reports a still complex international market, affected by weak consumption, high inventories, geopolitical tensions, and commercial uncertainty, but highlights the growth and enhancement of its proprietary brands.

4 Valli Wineries: Francesca Carini and Robert Addis appointed new majority

Change of control for Cantine 4 Valli , a major Piacenza winery with over 10 million bottles produced each year and exports to more than 30 countries.

The majority stake is transferred to Francesca Carini and Robert Addis , while the Ferrari and Perini families retain a stake and operational roles. Stefano Perini remains CEO.

The operation aims at business continuity and a new phase of international development.

Paolo Leo Winery: Growth, Relaunch of Candido, and the Wine Museum Project

The Leo family is preparing a new phase of development for Cantine Paolo Leo , a Puglia-based company that in 2025 achieved a turnover of approximately 25 million euros , with growth of 4.5% on the Italian market and 15% abroad.

The project involves the new generation of the family in the commercial, winemaking, marketing and purchasing areas and includes the relaunch of Candido and the development of a Wine Museum .

Salento: wine, territory, and hospitality at Masseria Borgo dei Trulli

Located in Maruggio, between Manduria and the Ionian coast, Masseria Borgo dei Trulli represents an example of integration between wine production, territory, and wine tourism experience.

The company practices organic farming and has 55 hectares of vineyards , 16 of which are bush-trained. A winery, vineyards, olive groves, Saracen trulli, and a restored 18th-century farmhouse combine to create an offering that blends wine and hospitality.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

Italian Wines: 19 Labels in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys 2026

19 Italian wines have been included in Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 100 Best Buys 2026.”

The international selection rewards wines with a price no higher than 20 dollars and at least 86 points, placing the focus on value for money , an increasingly important element in a phase characterized by weak consumption and greater attention to spending.

Aosta Valley: the case of Petit Arvine grown at high altitude

Aosta Valley viticulture highlights an interesting theme linked to climate change and regulations.

Petit Arvine grown at altitudes above the limits established in some municipalities cannot use the DOC, while other varieties can be grown higher.

Limits originally created for agronomic reasons are now being tested by climate change: higher temperatures are in fact altering the ripeness, acidity, and alcohol content of grapes even near 1,000 meters.

Quick Analysis: More Data to Help You Make Decisions in the Cellar

From harvest to bottling, the importance of rapidly accessing data on the composition of grapes, musts, and wines grows.

Among the technologies used is FT-IR spectroscopy , which allows for the rapid measurement of various oenological parameters, including alcohol content, reducing the use of reagents.

Modern winemaking is moving toward increasingly rapid, sustainable tools that can be used directly in winery operations, supported by predictive models.

Pinot Grigio: an award to bring research and innovation to the supply chain.

The DOC Delle Venezie Consortium has established the “Giuseppe Catarin” Award, dedicated to university theses on the wine sector of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the Autonomous Province of Trento.

Eligible topics include viticulture, oenology, sustainability, climate change, economics, marketing, wine law, tourism, landscape, and technological and digital innovation.

Applications are due by November 16, 2026 .

Agea: New payments also for the wine sector

Since 1 January 2026, Agea has disbursed a total of approximately 2.95 billion euros to the agricultural sector.

For the wine sector, 4.7 million euros have been allocated to the Investment measure , to which are added resources for the restructuring and reconversion of vineyards, balances, advances and sureties.

Agritourism and wine tourism continue to grow

Rural tourism continues to attract tourists. In 2025, Trentino-Alto Adige ranked second in Italy for agritourism stays, after Tuscany.

Veneto is also growing: 1.4 million visitors in 2025 , 28.8% more than the pre-pandemic period, with 1,738 active facilities.

The data reinforces the strategic role of hospitality and wine tourism in the economic development of agricultural and winemaking businesses.

Chianti Classico: wine, hospitality, and slow tourism

Autumn relaunches the Chianti Classico wine tourism offering, where wine, gastronomy, landscape, walking and cycling routes, and accommodations become part of a single experience.

The Castello di Fonterutoli Wine Resort represents an example of the integration of historical heritage, wine production, and hospitality.

INTERNATIONAL

European Union: Over a billion euros a year for wine

The European Union allocates approximately €1.061 billion per year to the wine sector through the Common Agricultural Policy.

The resources finance investments, promotion, vineyard renovation, and crop insurance.

At the same time, European health policies are pushing for a reduction in alcohol consumption. The sector is therefore at the center of a conflict between its agricultural, economic, territorial, and export weight and public health policy objectives.

Grape harvest in France: very different working conditions

The experiences of some Italian women workers involved in the French grape harvest show very different economic and logistical conditions from one company to another.

The theme draws attention to the management of seasonal labor , which is increasingly important for the social sustainability of the European wine sector.

Ticino: lower production but good quality expectations for 2026

In Italian-speaking Switzerland, the 2026 harvest was affected by intense heat, drought, thunderstorms and hailstorms .

Yields are lower, while quality expectations remain high. Sugar accumulation has been significant, and several harvests were brought forward, particularly for sparkling wines and white Merlot.

The Ticino case confirms how climate change is impacting vineyard management and harvest dates.

EVENTS, GUIDES AND WINE TOURISM

Wines of Italy 2027: National Preview in Asti

On October 1st, Asti will host the national preview of the Gambero Rosso 2027 Italian Wine Guide.

This edition coincides with the guide's fortieth anniversary and will pay particular attention to new generations of producers. The official presentation is scheduled for Rome on October 25th.

DoctorWine presents the Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2027

The new edition of DoctorWine's Essential Guide to Italian Wines will be presented in Milan on October 3 .

Tuscany is among the featured regions, with numerous labels selected through the guide's evaluation system.

Sicily: "Autumn in the Cellar" returns

From October 3 to 25, 2026, "Autumn in the Cellar" returns, a project promoted by IRVO to extend the Sicilian wine tourism season beyond the summer.

Seven stages are planned between Vittoria, Butera, Castiglione di Sicilia, Furnari, Castelbuono, Sambuca di Sicilia and Marsala.

The initiative brings together wineries, regions, tastings, and landscapes, strengthening Sicily's position as a year-round wine tourism destination.

America's Cup: Wine joins Campania's international promotion program

In view of the 38th America's Cup , scheduled to take place in Naples from 10 to 18 July 2027, the Campania Region has launched the “Vento di Campania – Road Tour” project.

The goal is to use the event's international visibility to promote Campania's regions, agri-food products, wines, landscapes, and cultural heritage.

Malvasia Without Borders: A Comparison of Piedmont and Friuli-Venezia Giulia

The “Malvasia senza confini” project offers a tasting dedicated to the different interpretations of Malvasia, with wines from Piedmont and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

The initiative involves Chambers of Commerce, Protection Consortia, and industry professionals, with the aim of illustrating the territorial and productive diversity of this family of grape varieties.

Pinot Noir and truffles: Oltrepò Pavese showcases its excellence.

La Genisia dedicates two days to the meeting between Pinot Noir and Oltrepò Pavese truffle , bringing together two products strongly linked to the territory.

An example of how wine, gastronomy, and experiences can contribute to building a recognizable wine tourism destination.

Slow Edition Wines & Vinyls Lake Como

“Vini & Vinili Slow Edition Lake Como” is scheduled for December 13, 2026 , an event dedicated to natural wine, music, and local products.

Around 20 winemakers have announced their participation, along with food producers and operators linked to the vinyl culture.

RESERVED OPPORTUNITIES – AGRICULTURAL ESTATES 24

Four Italian assets combining wine, territory, and hospitality.

Asolo – Veneto: Historic 17th-century complex in the center of Asolo, with 16 rooms and spaces for hospitality, events, meetings, and cultural initiatives.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia: a castle with approximately 28 hectares of property, over 20 hectares of vineyards, 16 rooms, a swimming pool, and hospitality services. Integrated asset for wine production, events, and a wine resort.

Chianti Classico – Tuscany: approximately 120-hectare estate near Florence, with 15.2 hectares of vineyards, approximately 17 hectares of olive groves, a cellar, a historic villa, farmhouses, and potential for revitalization of production and wine tourism.

Barolo – Piedmont: a boutique winery with approximately 2.2 hectares of vineyards, a modernized cellar, Barolo DOCG production, and a tasting room. This asset focuses on limited production and a premium positioning.

IN SUMMARY

The day highlights several important signs for the sector: a still-challenging wine market in terms of consumption, growing attention to brands and value for money, consolidation and corporate transfers in wineries, the growth of wine tourism and hospitality, and the growing impact of climate change on viticulture.

Alongside wine production , territory, experience, direct sales, technology, commercial capacity and brand positioning are becoming increasingly important.

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

See you tomorrow.