Wine press review for Sunday, September 20, 2026!

Good morning,

The main news from the world of wine selected and summarized by QUIDQUID : Italian wineries, the 2026 harvest, viticulture and oenology, international markets, investments and events.

ITALIAN WINERIES

San Donaci: Relaunching the Historic Candido Winery

In San Donaci, in the heart of Salento, the project to recover and relaunch the historic Cantina Candido , founded in 1929 and acquired by the Leo family, owners of Cantine Paolo Leo, is taking shape.

The project includes the recovery of native vines, the restoration of the historic site, the valorization of Negroamaro, Aleatico and Malvasia Nera, the promotion of the territory and the creation of a Wine Museum .

Colli di Luni: A new generation at Giacomelli

In Castelnuovo Magra, in the Colli di Luni area, Tommaso Petacchi continues the journey he began at a young age in the Giacomelli family business. At just 14, he asked his father Roberto for a small plot of land to cultivate on his own.

From that vineyard was born Tàoma , a personal project dedicated to Vermentino and a symbol of a generational change gradually built within the family business.

Suvereto: Ten Years for La Batistina

The La Batistina estate in Suvereto celebrates ten years of activity. Irene Batistini and Margherita Brogi have developed the family farm by renovating the land, the cellar, and the vineyards, and also initiating the conversion to organic farming.

Valtellina: La Trama is founded to reclaim family vineyards.

Three hectares of vineyards between Tresivio and Piateda become the starting point of La Trama , a new business founded by Mauro Beltrama, Laura Arena and Paolo Beltrama.

The project was born with the aim of preventing the abandonment of family vineyards. The first label, Trio – Rosso di Valtellina DOC , was produced in approximately 1,200 bottles.

Wildbacher: the historic grape variety of the Treviso Hills

At the Conte Collalto Winery in Susegana, the long Italian history of Wildbacher continues, a grape variety originally from Styria but present on the Treviso hills since the 18th century.

A centuries-old presence that has favored its adaptation to the soil and climate of the area, transforming it into one of the most unique varieties of the local viticultural heritage.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

2026 Harvest: Early Harvest in Calabria Due to Heat and Drought

In the Vibo Valentia area, the heat of summer 2026 significantly accelerated grape ripening. At Cantine Lacquaniti, Zibibbo was harvested as early as August , while some red grapes were harvested up to a month earlier than normal.

Added to the climatic difficulties is the pressure from wild fauna, particularly wild boars.

Langhe: harvest brought forward by about ten days

Even in the Langhe, the heat has altered the harvest calendar. According to the Consortium for the Protection of Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, Langhe and Dogliani, the 2026 harvest will be about ten days earlier than in 2025.

Technical monitoring indicates good ripening of the grapes in terms of sugar, phenolic and acidity.

Viticulture increasingly at higher altitudes

Climate change is pushing part of Italian viticulture toward higher altitudes in search of cooler temperatures, temperature ranges, and more favorable conditions for ripening.

Altitude, however, is not a solution by itself: exposure, water availability, ventilation, soil characteristics and processing costs remain determining factors.

The Italian DOC turns 60

The Controlled Designation of Origin (DOP ), one of the fundamental tools for the protection and territorial identification of Italian wine, celebrates sixty years since its establishment. In Alba, the anniversary is also being commemorated with dedicated tastings.

Cellar Safety: Three People Rescued During a Decanting

In Cinquefrondi, Calabria, three people were rescued after falling ill inside a cellar where must had been decanted.

The episode draws attention to the risks associated with gases produced by fermentation and the need for ventilation, environmental monitoring, and safety procedures during cellar work.

Agriculture: Controls against illegal work

As part of the “Alt caporalato” project, the Territorial Labor Inspectorate of Grosseto and Siena carried out checks on agricultural companies, identifying 13 undeclared workers out of 17 verified positions .

Four companies were suspended and fines totaling approximately €60,000 were imposed for violations of labor, health, and safety regulations.

Bologna: Growing selection of natural wines

Bologna's wine scene continues to diversify, with wine shops, wine bars, and boutiques dedicating greater space to artisanal wines and niche products.

The phenomenon highlights the evolution of urban consumption and the interest of a portion of the public in less conventional productions.

Tasting: technical quality and personal taste are not the same thing

A technically well-crafted wine doesn't necessarily have to please everyone. Tasting distinguishes between technical evaluation and personal preference.

A simple but important principle: knowing wine also means developing your own taste without feeling obliged to share the opinion of experts.

Olive growing: over 800 olive trees from 32 countries in Gubbio

The scientific project Domus Olear∑ , promoted by the CNR-IBBR together with the Di Murro Agricultural Company, brings together over 800 olive trees from 32 countries in Gubbio.

The goal is to create an international living collection to study and conserve the genetic heritage of the olive tree.

INTERNATIONAL, MARKETS AND INVESTMENTS

Crédit Agricole acquires stake in Miraval Provence

Crédit Agricole has announced that it is taking a minority stake in Miraval Provence , a company linked to the winemaking and commercial activities of Château Miraval, the Provençal estate associated with Brad Pitt and the Famille Perrin.

According to Vitisphere, the investment would amount to 15 million euros . Brad Pitt would retain a 50% stake in the company.

This transaction represents a further example of institutional investors' interest in wineries with strong real estate, territorial, and brand value.

China: How the wine market is changing

The Chinese wine market is undergoing a profound transformation in terms of consumption, size, and buyer profile.

An analysis promoted by Unione Italiana Vini , based on IWSR data, aims to identify the opportunities for Italian wine in the so-called "New China." Despite the decline compared to past expectations, the market continues to be considered strategic from a medium- to long-term perspective.

Champagne: the climate modifies maturation and alcohol content

Higher temperatures are also affecting Champagne. The increased sugar accumulation in the grapes can result in wines with a potentially higher alcohol content.

A temporary exemption from the established limits has been authorized in France for the 2026 harvest, confirming how climate change is impacting even denominations characterized by particularly rigorous specifications.

Campari: Focus on Spritz, Ready-to-Drink, and International Expansion

According to the aforementioned UBS analysis, Campari is focusing on the growth of the Spritz category, the development of ready-to-drink products and geographical expansion.

Management has reportedly indicated organic sales growth of around 3% for 2026, in a still complex international spirits environment.

WINE TOURISM AND WINE-RELATED EVENTS

Prosecco Wine Route: Wine, Territory, and Experiential Tourism

The hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene continue to offer a popular destination for three- or four-day stays centered around wineries, tastings, villages, gastronomy, walks, and scenic heritage.

A model that confirms how wine is increasingly the starting point of a broader tourist experience.

Morbegno in the Cellar 2026

From 25 to 27 September, from 2 to 4 October and from 9 to 11 October , Morbegno hosts a new edition of Morbegno in Cantina .

The program features over 60 labels , tastings, and meetings with producers, AIS sommeliers, and ONAV tasters dedicated to the various expressions of Valtellina viticulture.

Unusual Marsala: five days of wine, food, and hospitality.

Starting September 30 , Marsala, Trapani, and the Egadi Islands will host five days of events dedicated to wine, catering, hospitality, and wine tourism.

The program includes over 40 events , including tastings, masterclasses, exhibitions, temporary wine shops, and gastronomic experiences.

Vino al Vino 2026 in Panzano in Chianti

From 18 to 20 September , Panzano in Chianti hosts the 31st edition of Vino al Vino , organised by the Panzano Winegrowers' Union.

Over 80 labels from 22 wineries are available for tasting, including Chianti Classico and IGT. The area also has a strong environmental commitment: 95% of the vineyards are certified organic.

San Eusebio Grape Festival

The San Eusebio Grape Festival returns to Villa Angarano, Bassano del Grappa, from September 18 to 20, 2026 .

Three days dedicated to rural culture and the grape harvest, with tastings, traditional cuisine, music, children's activities, grape pressing, and reenactments.

SELECTED WINE-GROWING OPPORTUNITIES – ETNA

A complete winery in the heart of Etna DOC

On the northern slope of Etna , between Solicchiata and Passopisciaro, an already operational winery of approximately 11 hectares is available for sale, including approximately 3 hectares of vineyards, 3 hectares of olive groves, cellar, buildings, equipment, registered trademark, stocks, authorisations and planting rights .

The vineyard includes approximately 2 hectares of Nerello Mascalese and 1 hectare of Carricante , as well as approximately one hectare of replanting/new planting rights.

Current production is around 14,000 bottles per year , with an indicative capacity of 20,000 bottles and a range of six labels.

A particularly interesting asset for producers, wine groups and investors who wish to enter Etna through an already operational company , with the possibility of further production, commercial and wine tourism development.

Wine-growing countryside with historic wine press from 1890

Also in the Etna area, an agricultural property of approximately 4 hectares is available, of which approximately 3.5 hectares could potentially be used as a vineyard , subject to technical-administrative verification.

A distinctive element is a Sicilian palmento from 1890 of approximately 600 m2 on three levels , to be renovated.

The asset could represent the basis for a new project that integrates viticulture, architectural restoration, a cellar, tastings, and possible rural hospitality , subject to the necessary authorizations.

THE WEEK'S SYNOPSIS

Today's news shows a wine sector in transformation: the climate is bringing forward harvests and changing the areas best suited to wine production; companies are investing in the recovery of territorial identities; new generations are entering the cellar; wine tourism and hospitality are gaining importance; institutional investors are eyeing winemaking assets, and international markets are demanding increasingly selective strategies .

Wine therefore remains an agricultural product, but increasingly also a territory, a business, a heritage, tourism, a brand and an investment .

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

See you tomorrow.