Wine press review for Thursday, January 15, 2026!

Italian wineries

Oltrepò Pavese: “Good and Affordable” Pinot Noir for Under 15 Euros (Valle Versa) Focus on a historic winery in the Versa Valley (the cradle of Oltrepò Pinot Noir): its territorial identity, clayey-calcareous soils, a “temperate” continental climate, and the company’s growth from a farming operation to a consolidated structure.

Terre d'Oltrepò Crisis: Not Just Collis, Cantine Riunite Also Interested . The Veneto cooperative Collis has expressed interest, but there are also (unconfirmed) rumors about Cantine Riunite. The key issue: grape supply commitments (there's talk of a target of 250,000 quintals for the next harvest). Key issues: industrial future and the sustainability of the agricultural base.

Monfort: 2025 of anniversaries and investments (Trentino) 80 years since its foundation (1945), 40 years of Metodo Classico and the launch of the Le Général Noir Riserva Trentodoc 2018. Direction: investments in Trentodoc, sustainability and foreign push (presence in over 25 countries).

Cantine Levante: Ligurian "vertical" viticulture, between hard work and quality. A story of identity: challenging vineyards, extreme landscapes, companies that transform physical limitations into unique products and narrative value.

W1neShot: canned wine, contemporary and "conscious" consumption. 200 ml format, white and rosé, 10% ABV. This offering complements (not replaces) the traditional ritual with a more informal, sustainable, and immediate approach. Led by a Veronese winemaker (Elisa Di Stefano), the project focuses on the younger generations.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Ingredients and QR code: red wine with concentrated must, is it legal? From the labeling issue (ingredients, energy values, and nutritional information, including QR codes) to the practical question: presence of concentrated must and generic "EU" origin. A case that brings transparency and consumer perception back to the forefront.

A Viticulture and Oenology course is launched in the land of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. From 2026–2027, the IIS "Cuppari Salvati" (Villa Salvati di Pianello Vallesina, Monte Roberto) will offer a technical program to train professionals in sustainable vineyard management, winemaking, and quality biotechnology. This is a strong message: a region investing in expertise, not just production.

Agricultural waste: Rentri, exemption from registration for farmers (with substantial traceability). The 2026 Budget Law (Law 199/2025) amends Article 188-bis of the Consolidated Environmental Law: exemption from mandatory RENTRI registration for agricultural entrepreneurs (voluntary participation remains possible). Less bureaucracy, but be careful: the rules on "de facto" traceability remain an issue that needs to be monitored.

Innovation in the vineyard: the "InVigna" project to challenge the climate (Oltrepò Pavese and Lombardy). After "Biodivigna," the Quality Wine District is once again leading the way with an integrated project (field trials, testing, and demonstrations) with the Catholic University, the Gallini Agricultural Institute, and technical and agronomic partners. The watchword: climate adaptation with method, not slogans.

Cantina Italia (ICQRF): Inventories at 59.5 million hectoliters as of December 2025 (4.4% increase over 2024). This "significant" figure depicts a challenging 2025: more abundant harvests (2024 and 2025), slower consumption/sales = growing inventory. Operational signals for 2026: commercial discipline, price management, channels, and rotation.

No/Low Alcohol: "dealcoholized wine" and "partially de-alcoholized"—the new normal. Alcohol-free products are moving beyond their niche: the offering is growing and label definitions (thresholds and wording) are consolidating. A technical identity issue: how to maintain quality, positioning, and trust while the product evolves.

Tourism: UNESCO Prosecco Hills, widespread growth across Core, Buffer, and Commitment Zones. January–November 2025: 5.9% arrivals and 7.1% presences; 9% foreign growth. The distribution of flows is interesting (not just in the "core zone"): a boost from non-hotel accommodation and demand for experiential, authentic, and longer stays.

Health debate: Garattini vs. Gardini, wine pro/no, and the "alcohol-free" issue. Public discussion is polarizing: clear health messages and counter-narratives from the wine world. The side effect: consumers are demanding more clarity (and less propaganda) about risk, moderation, and alternatives.

International

USA: Tariffs slow the value but not the volume of imported wine (Nomisma, 10 months 2025). Total imports: -7.5% in value, 0.1% in volume. For Italy, a reduction in average import prices is noted (a defensive strategy to contain consumer prices). Signal: competition is based on price/margin and positioning.

India: still a small market, but growth potential for Italian wine. Imports in 2023 are limited, but the growth trend is sustained and the consumer value outlook is positive through 2028. Italy is among the main suppliers with attractive growth rates: a field to be cultivated with patience, supervision, and training.

Wine events

Weekend agenda for January 16–18, 2026: festivals, fairs, and food and wine events. A selection of events in Italy, including tastings, "conscious drinking" formats, outdoor experiences, and festivals. The "Dry January" project, featuring a contemporary and diverse gastronomic approach (a tour of venues in Northern Italy), stands out.

SuperVeneti (AIS Veneto): a focus on great international reds with a Venetian twist. An event for official tasters and the AIS service group: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, and Cabernet Franc from select areas between Vicenza, Padua, and Treviso. An interesting read: a different side of Veneto, one often overlooked.

Memorie Mediterranee: Salice Salentino Masterclass (January 31, 2026, 2:00 PM) In collaboration with the Consortium: Negroamaro and its appellation in various interpretations (rosé, red, reserve). Includes a special glass and access to the masterclass.

Dialogues between Winemakers: Behind the Scenes of Barolo (January–March 2026) Three events on the Barolo Wine Route. First meeting: January 21 , Mudet (Truffle Museum) in Alba, focusing on soil, biodiversity, and the connections between ecosystems (truffles, forests, and vineyards).

Turin, Capital of Vermouth: 240th anniversary (1786–2026), Vermouth Show 21–22 February 2026 Third edition at the National Museum of the Risorgimento: over 30 producers, cultural and experiential approach, dialogue between historians and new players.

Focus on Policies & Regulation (cross-cutting)

EU "Wine Package": Agriculture Committee approves, February plenary session expected. The agreement has been unanimously approved: measures on production/supply management, climate resilience (coverage of up to 80% of eligible costs), simplified/harmonized labeling, wine tourism, definitions for "No"/"Lo," exports, and aromatized wines. A final vote by the European Parliament is now required.

Reactions in Italy: Città del Vino and Coldiretti endorse the direction (less bureaucracy, more transparency, crisis management tools). Appreciation for simplification, crisis management measures, and clarifications on alcohol-dealing terminology; implicit request: resources and effective implementation.

Fertilizers: EU tariff suspension announced (political note) Agricultural production costs: if the measure remains in place and translates into prices, it could reduce a significant cost item for many vineyards (the actual impact along the supply chain remains to be verified).

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