Wine press review for Thursday, February 26, 2026!

Italian wineries

Montalcino, Querce Bettina Acquisition The Querce Bettina winery has become part of the La Faretra agricultural company (75 hectares in Gavorrano). This transaction aims to maintain the identity and develop new projects for a historic Montalcino asset.

Cantina Valpolicella Negrar: Accordini leaves after 30 years. Daniele Accordini concludes his long managerial career. This is a symbolic transition for one of Valpolicella's most important cooperatives, following decades of qualitative and structural growth.

Villa Sandi invests in training. Three scholarships for Dieffe students in Valdobbiadene, offering access to the WSET program. A concrete example of the wine-training-hospitality supply chain.

Ventiventi and the Evolution of the Modena Classic Method The winery extends the aging period to 40–50 months on the lees: a technical choice that emphasizes slowness, precision, and territorial identity.

Tenute Maestrale, architecture that engages with the landscape. In Sardinia, a new "invisible" winery, designed as an extension of the agricultural land amidst vineyards and olive groves. A case study of the integration of wine, design, and landscape.

Mastroberardino launches new low-alcohol PGI white wines, Fiano, Greco, and Falanghina, with 10% alcohol content: a strategic innovation for a leading company, responding to new consumption styles.

Moscatello di Taggia, the return of a Ligurian grape. The Luca Calvini company is leading the rediscovery of a nearly extinct grape, just minutes from the center of Sanremo.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Wine consumption in Italy in 2024: 54.7% of the population consumes wine (-0.4% compared to 2023). The peak is in the 35-44 age group. Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Alto Adige are the regions with the highest penetration.

Wine needs time. A reflection on the market paradox: cellars without space and consumers who only want the latest vintage. The bottle as a cultural tool, not just a commercial one.

Wine tourism on the rise: worth $46.5 billion. The Aite–Srm report confirms the strategic role of winery hospitality as an industrial and territorial lever.

Generations and Wine Consumption A cultural and provocative reading on the relationship between young people, alcohol, and changing lifestyles: wine as a historical phenomenon, not a nostalgic one.

International

Gallo, more closures and layoffs in the US. The world's largest manufacturer by volume continues to reduce production capacity and staff. This is a structural sign of the global consumer crisis.

US tariffs: European wine between 10% and 15% risk. Temporary tariff valid until July 2026. Complex and unstable customs planning for exporters and importers.

US Importers: "Prosecco is a brand, tariffs are unnecessary." A tour of Friuli and Veneto by a major American importer reveals a simple truth: perceived value transcends tariff barriers.

French wine crisis: €40 million for distillation. The EU has approved the distillation of 1.2 million hectoliters of surplus red and rosé wines. This is a strong signal of public intervention to rebalance the market.

Diageo in trouble, a domino effect on competitors. Guidance cuts and dividends: Campari and Pernod Ricard also slip. The spirits sector is under global pressure.

Events, territories and supply chains

Vinitaly 2026: Carlo Cracco at the Emilia-Romagna Pavilion. A passing of the "starred" baton: from gourmet cuisine to signature piadinas, the Food Valley pavilion is changing face.

Cantine in Città – Ravenna Saturday, February 28th, 38 independent winemakers at Artificerie Almagià. A consolidated format, strong turnover, and direct producer-consumer dialogue.

Sannio Top Wines Award-Winning Cantina del Taburno and La Fortezza. Sannio reaffirms its qualitative and identity trajectory.

Umbria del Vino 2026: The winning wines of the regional competition have been announced: Trebbiano Spoletino, Orvieto Classico, and Grechetto are in the spotlight.

European Carbon Farming Summit 2026 in Padua From 17 to 19 March, the main European event on carbon farming and agricultural climate transition.

Post-2027 CAP: negotiations enter the fray. Financial challenges and opportunities for European agriculture are the focus of the ANSA forum in Brussels.

Olive oil tourism is growing strongly (37%). Italy and Calabria are the protagonists of a food tourism that is increasingly strategic for rural development.

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