Wine press review for Thursday, August 20, 2026!

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Italian wine is facing a complex but transformative phase: early harvest, climate change, high inventories, new consumption models, growth in wine tourism and the search for new markets .

ITALIAN WINERIES

Cantina Tollo grows by 133 hectares

Cantina Tollo is expanding its production base with 133 new hectares of vineyards , increasing its total from 2,357 to 2,490 hectares . The new vineyards, distributed primarily across Abruzzo, Molise, and Puglia, include native varieties such as Montepulciano, Pecorino, Trebbiano, and Passerina.

The expansion is part of the Vigneto Avanzato project, which aims to guarantee greater economic stability for small winemakers through remuneration based on hectares worked rather than exclusively on quintals produced.

Cantine Monfort: From the Cembra Valley to 26 Countries

From Palù di Giovo, in Trentino, Cantine Monfort has built a commercial presence over eighty years that today reaches 26 countries .

International growth has occurred while maintaining strong ties to the Cembra Valley, local winemakers, and a family history passed down to new generations.

Belisario Winery: Good prospects for Verdicchio di Matelica

The harvest of grapes destined for the Belisario Winery , an important producer of Verdicchio di Matelica, has begun in the Camerte Sinclinale.

Initial indications point to a yield of around 90-95 quintals per hectare and an overall good harvest. The mountainous area's temperature ranges helped mitigate the effects of the intense summer heat.

Feudo Antico: A winery becomes an open-air archaeological museum.

In Tollo, Abruzzo, Feudo Antico represents a unique blend of wine, land, and archaeology.

During the vineyard replanting works, the remains of a Roman-imperial-era rustic villa were discovered, likely connected to ancient winemaking activities. The archaeological site is now an integral part of the winery's identity.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

Italian wine under pressure from climate, markets, and new consumption patterns.

According to Legacoop Agroalimentare , the Italian wine sector is simultaneously facing climate change, uncertainty in international markets, and a transformation in consumption.

Against this backdrop, the planning of the institutional campaign dedicated to Italian wine is also underway, with the aim of strengthening its image as a quintessential Made in Italy product.

The 2026 harvest: a difficult year to interpret

The Italian grape harvest varies greatly from region to region. In some areas, the harvest is much earlier, while in others, the timing is more traditional or even later.

Oenologists and agronomists therefore emphasize the need to avoid generalized assessments: climate, water availability, altitude, exposure, and characteristics of individual vineyards are producing very different results.

Friuli Venezia Giulia: Early harvest and priority given to water

In the Colli Orientali del Friuli and Ramandolo, the harvest of white grape varieties is already in full swing.

Heat and drought have accelerated ripening, revealing significant differences between irrigated and non-irrigated vineyards. Water management therefore becomes a strategic element for preserving the quality, balance of the grapes, and the identity of the wines.

Pinot Noir already in the cellar: early harvest in the North

The 2026 harvest started early in many northern areas.

The first 200 quintals of Pinot Noir destined for the sparkling wine base have already arrived at the Vicobarone winery in the Piacenza area. Early arrivals are also reported in Franciacorta, Asti, Ferrara, and Canavese.

The positive data is represented, in several areas, by the presence of healthy grapes and abundant bunches .

Sicily: cellars still full before the new production

The harvest has begun, but many Sicilian wineries still have significant quantities of wine from the previous harvest.

As of 31 July 2026, approximately 2.69 million hectolitres of wine were stored on the island, of which over 1.4 million in the province of Trapani alone .

The priority becomes to reduce inventory levels while avoiding excessive pressure on prices while the new production enters the cellars.

Ligurian wines resist market difficulties

The small production scale seems to offer Ligurian wineries greater flexibility than other Italian areas.

Many wineries produce fewer than 100,000 bottles and can thus adapt more quickly to changing demand. Pigato, Vermentino, Rossese, Ormeasco, and Granaccia continue to represent the regional identity, while interest in rosé wines is growing.

Roero: one of the great souls of Piedmontese wine

Roero has gradually gained an independent and recognizable position in the Italian winemaking panorama.

Located on the left bank of the Tanaro River, facing the Langhe, it is characterized by sandy soils, marl, and the spectacular Rocche del Roero. Arneis is its signature white wine, alongside local interpretations of Nebbiolo and Barbera.

Sardinia: Wine quality is growing

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

331 wines were selected for review , and 118 received a Standing Ovation , representing 35.6% of the wines reviewed. This result highlights significant qualitative growth, from rosés to whites, with a particular focus on Vermentino.

INTERNATIONAL AND NEW MARKETS

The weather is bringing forward the grape harvest in France too.

Climate change is profoundly altering the European viticultural calendar.

In Italy, many areas have brought forward the harvest, while in France , Champagne and Burgundy are recording exceptionally early harvests.

In Burgundy, Domaine Leflaive began the harvest on August 13th , even anticipating the documented historical precedent of 1556, when the harvest began on August 15th.

Ready to Drink is growing in the United States and Europe

Premixed cocktails continue to gain popularity.

In the United States, Ready-to-Drink represents about 8% of the alcohol market , while in Europe sales could more than double in the next decade.

A change in consumer habits that could create new opportunities for Italian groups like Campari , especially through the world of spritzes.

Italian wine in the USA: delivered to consumers within 24 hours

The Tuscan company Fieramente has developed a logistics model designed to transform Americans' wine tourism experience into direct sales.

Through a hub in the United States , wines purchased or discovered during a visit to Italy can be distributed directly to American consumers with rapid delivery.

An interesting model for connecting wine tourism, B2C sales and the internationalization of wineries .

Giacomo Bartolommei is the only Italian among the 2026 Rising Stars.

Giacomo Bartolommei , president of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium, producer and winemaker from Caprili, is the only Italian included by Wine Enthusiast among the 12 international “Rising Stars” of 2026.

The award recognizes a new generation of professionals called upon to address changes in consumption, climate, regulation, and international markets.

EVENTS, WINE TOURISM AND WINE CULTURE

Wine Tourism 2026: Wine increasingly meets the sea

Italian wine tourism is increasingly integrated with seaside holidays.

Among the most desired wine destinations for Italians are Cinque Terre and Salento at 20%, Chianti at 19%, Amalfi Coast and Etna at 18% .

Food and wine tourism would now involve approximately 18 million Italians , 4.5 million more than in 2024.

When choosing a winery , the landscape, experience and value for money are of particular importance.

The Etna Wine Train

On the slopes of Etna, an itinerary combines railway, vineyards, cellars, tastings, and gastronomy.

The Etna Wine Train departs from Linguaglossa and uses the Circumetnea Railway along with a Wine Bus to take visitors to the wineries on the northern slope of the volcano.

A concrete example of how wine, territory, mobility, and experiential tourism can create an integrated offering.

Tuscany: The growing phenomenon of vineyard dinners

From Bolgheri to Montalcino, large tables abound among vineyards, cellars, and historic sites.

The phenomenon has also attracted the attention of the international press and demonstrates how the food and wine experience is becoming an increasingly important part of a winery's perceived value.

WineHunter Award Collection 2026

The new The WineHunter Award Collection 2026 is online, bringing together the selected excellences in the Wine, Food, Spirits and Beer categories.

After the Rosso and Gold awards, over 300 candidates are aiming for the prestigious Platinum. The winners of The WineHunter Award Platinum will be announced on October 7th in Rome .

Stintino Wine Festival: Wine and Territory Take Center Stage

The Stintino Wine Festival returns on August 21st and 22nd , now in its third edition.

Twelve wineries will participate in the event, along with food producers and artisans. In 2025, the festival attracted approximately 3,000 attendees .

Durazzano: Four days dedicated to Sannio wine

From 20 to 23 August , Durazzano, in the province of Benevento, hosts the tenth edition of Gustarte .

Tastings, workshops, music, and meetings will accompany three "Narrated Tastings," dedicated to the Sannio-Chianti Rufina comparison, rare grape varieties and monumental vineyards, and the relationship between wine and the history of Campania.

Unusual Marsala 2026: Wine, Hospitality, and Artificial Intelligence

The third edition of Insolito Marsala returns to Marsala from September 30th , five days dedicated to wine, hospitality, innovation, artificial intelligence, and gastronomy.

Among the most original initiatives, temporary wine shops will be hosted in bookstores, jewelry stores, opticians, and design showrooms , experimenting with new ways of bringing wine outside of traditional commercial channels.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

The August 20, 2026, review paints a picture of a rapidly changing sector.

The first issue is climate : the early harvest is no longer an isolated phenomenon and affects both Italy and France. Water, agronomic management, and the timing of harvest are becoming increasingly crucial.

The second concerns the market . High inventories, particularly in Sicily, require careful attention to volumes and prices, while small areas like Liguria demonstrate how limited production, a strong identity, and the ability to adapt can become competitive factors.

The third signal comes from the consumer . Wine tourism, vineyard dinners, coastal tourism, international direct sales, and new formats like Ready-to-Drink indicate that wine is increasingly being purchased in conjunction with an experience, a region, or a method of consumption.

Finally, a strategic message emerges: the future of Italian wine will depend not only on how much wine is produced, but on the ability to transform territory, quality, hospitality, distribution, and identity into economic value.

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

See you tomorrow.

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