Wine press review for Thursday, July 9, 2026!

ITALIAN WINE: MARKET, EXPORTS, AND POLICIES

Government: Wine exports are worth 8 billion

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking at the Unione Italiana Vini Assembly, confirmed the government's support for the sector.

Key points:

• Italian exports close to 8 billion euros
• over 10% of national agri-food exports
• opening up to new markets
• protection of Italian names in international trade agreements.

UIV raises the alarm

The Assembly of the Italian Wine Union highlighted a complex scenario.

The main data:

• world exports in decline
• US demand still weak
• decreasing consumption
• Bulk prices dropping sharply
• increase in DOCG, DOC and IGT downgradings
• over 53 million hectolitres present in Italian cellars.

President Lamberto Frescobaldi calls for courageous decisions:

• reduction of yields
• temporary halt to new plants
• rebalancing between demand and production.

The United States remains the most difficult market

According to the UIV Observatory:

• exports to the USA continuously decreasing
• duties weigh heavily
• weak dollar
• American consumption has been declining for five years.

The goal becomes to diversify international markets.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Marchesi Antinori

The Antinori winery also confirms its role in cultural promotion.

Through the Antinori Art Project , the family continues a tradition of artistic patronage that began centuries ago, transforming the winery into one of Italy's leading references for wine and contemporary art.

Terlano Winery

The South Tyrolean cooperative confirms the extraordinary longevity of its white wines.

Vertical tastings of:

• Quartz Sauvignon
• Vorberg Pinot Bianco

demonstrate how the great white wines of Alto Adige can evolve over many years.

Arrigoni

The historic Ligurian winery tells the story of the value of heroic viticulture among:

• Cinque Terre
• Hills of Luni.

An example of manual agriculture that protects the landscape.

Querciabella

New restyling for:

• Mongrana Bianco House
• debut of the new Rosé

with a more contemporary image dedicated to younger consumers.

Toso

The new Asti Rosé DOCG was presented, created for:

• modern consumption
• low alcohol content
• greater versatility in combinations.

ITALIAN WINE AND CONSUMPTION

The market is changing

According to Roland Berger, global alcohol consumption could decrease by 50% by 2050.

The main trends:

• greater attention to health
• growth of No-Lo Alcohol products
• Functional Drinks
• use of Artificial Intelligence along the entire supply chain.

Consumers are increasingly selective

Riccardo Cotarella emphasizes the need to revive the culture of conscious drinking, especially among the younger generations.

Drink less but better

The question is oriented towards:

• quality
• experiences
• premium wines
• wine tourism
• responsible consumption.

DENOMINATIONS AND TERRITORIES

Oltrepò Pavese

The Consortium is working on the new Montenapoleone denomination, intended for great premium still wines.

The goal is to increase the economic value of the vineyards.

Gavi

One of the most exported Italian white wines in the world continues to represent one of Piedmont's historic denominations.

Prosecco

The heat slows down the ripening of the Glera.

The harvest could return in mid-September.

Valpolicella

For the reds, however, an early harvest is expected.

VINEYARD, CLIMATE AND INNOVATION

Extreme heat

High temperatures are altering the vegetative cycle of the vine.

More and more important:

• smart irrigation
• climate monitoring
• canopy management
• new technologies.

Sunrise

The event returns on July 16th:

Technique and Innovation in the Vineyard

dedicated to solutions to the effects of climate change.

AGRICULTURE

Young farmers

The new regional tender has been published.

Available:

• 9 million euros

to promote:

• generational change
• investments
• innovation
• sustainability.

Small peasant property

The Court of Cassation clarifies that collapsing buildings cannot benefit from the tax breaks provided for small peasant properties.

PIEDMONT

Piedmont presents a two-speed scenario.

Positive aspects:

• regional exports better than the national average
• over 100 million euros allocated to the sector.

Critical aspects:

• high inventories
• reduction in grape prices
• transformation of surpluses into vinegar and alcohol.

FOOD AND WINE

Smart Wine Bar

Reverso opens in Milan, the first Italian wine bar with:

• TO THE
• virtual sommelier
• smart dispenser
• over 1,500 labels.

Food pairing

Increasing attention is being paid to the relationship between wine, cocktails, and contemporary cuisine.

WINE TOURISM

Wine tourism continues to represent one of the main drivers of development for Italian wine.

Among the initiatives:

• The Nights of Wine
• The Cat Village in the Oltrepò Pavese
• immersive experiences in Valpolicella
• tourism between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.

INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO

The UIV Observatory highlights:

• Global wine consumption has decreased by 16% in the last six years
• China's slowdown
• difficulties in the United States
• growth of premium wines
• need for innovation and greater added value.

TODAY'S TOPICS

• Italian exports still under pressure.
• Over 53 million hectolitres still in the cellar.
• UIV calls for production reduction.
• The Government confirms its support for the sector.
• The role of wine tourism is growing.
• AI and digitalization enter the wine supply chain.
• The climate is increasingly crucial for the 2026 harvest.
• No & Low Alcohol increasingly prominent.
• Italian wineries focused on quality, experience, and value.

QUIDQUID NEWS – The daily review dedicated to the world of wine, wineries, oenology, and Italian agri-food.

Press review provided by Wine Idea.