Good morning,
A concise overview of Italian wineries, Italian wine, viticulture and oenology, international markets, and events , designed to offer a quick overview of the issues affecting the entire winemaking industry.
ITALIAN CELLARS
Cantine Ermes grows in Lazio with Gotto d'Oro
Cantine Ermes continues its multi-regional growth project through a multi-year partnership with Gotto d'Oro , a historic cooperative in the Castelli Romani area.
With Lazio, the number of regions involved in the development of the Sicilian cooperative rises to eight, which today brings together over 3,000 winemakers .
Gotto d'Oro will continue to manage production activities, from grape processing to bottling, while Cantine Ermes will support the cooperative in managing relationships with its members, acquiring the trademark license, and contributing to commercial development and market positioning.
Bersano and the 2019 Barolo Cannubi
Bersano presents the Barolo Cannubi 2019 , a wine characterized by small red fruits, violets, balsamic and smoky nuances, freshness and tannic structure.
The company has approximately 230 hectares of vineyards spread across 11 farms and produces almost 2 million bottles , with a portfolio that includes Barolo, Barbaresco, Nizza, Gavi, Roero Arneis, Metodo Classico and other Piedmontese denominations.
Gulfi tells the story of Etna through the Reseca 2022
Gulfi continues its journey based on organic farming, manual harvesting, bush vines, and a strong connection to the Sicilian territory.
From the vineyards of the Pino district, in the Randazzo area, comes Etna Rosso Reseca 2022 , an expression of Nerello Mascalese characterized by notes of black cherry, rose, undergrowth, spices and balsamic sensations.
Il Borro brings Sangiovese to the Classic Method
Tenuta Il Borro presents a new vintage of organic Chiaro di Bolle Metodo Classico Blanc de Noirs , produced exclusively from Sangiovese vinified as white.
The project offers an original interpretation of one of Tuscany's iconic grape varieties, combining terroir, winemaking research, and innovation.
Puglia: not just Primitivo
Terre di Maria , a company founded in 2018 on the Pasquariello family's land, offers a Puglia winemaking style that also looks to the Classic Method , combining regional tradition with new production methods.
The project combines viticulture, olive growing, innovation, and a strong family component.
Carlin de Paolo: Wine, Youth, and Socializing
In San Damiano d'Asti, in the Terre Alfieri area, Carlin de Paolo aims to engage younger generations with a winery model that combines the production of Barbera d'Asti, Nebbiolo, Arneis, Moscato, and Cisterna d'Asti with experiences featuring tastings, music, DJ sets, and mixology.
An example of how the cellar can also be transformed into a place for meeting, culture and socialising .
ITALIAN WINE
2026 harvest: good quality, but inventory issues remain
The 2026 Italian harvest has started early in several areas, especially for early varieties and sparkling wine bases.
The first qualitative indications are generally positive, despite some damage caused by hail and the difficulties caused by high temperatures.
The real issue, however, remains the wine already present in the cellars.
As of July 31, 2026, there were over 23.5 million hectoliters of PDO wines and over 10.9 million hectoliters of PGI wines in stock. The regions most affected include Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige, Lombardy, and Abruzzo.
Considering all categories, the national figure reaches 42.6 million hectolitres of wine , with an increase of 6.9% compared to 31 July 2025 .
The question, therefore, is not only how much to produce in 2026, but above all how to realign production, demand, prices and companies' commercial capacity .
Piedmont: Early harvest and pressure on inventories
In Piedmont, the heat brought forward the harvest, while stocks continue to represent a critical issue.
The collected material also highlights the Barolo and Barbaresco Consortium's invitation to its members to reduce production by 10% , while the companies seek to defend their quality, value, and presence on domestic and foreign markets.
Moscato d'Asti: appeal to bring forward the harvest
High temperatures and drought are accelerating ripening in the Asti area.
The Association of Moscato Municipalities warns of the risk of grapes losing weight and quality while some winemaking facilities are not yet operational, thus calling for an early harvest.
Valpolicella Ripasso: the red wine that balances freshness and structure.
Valpolicella Ripasso continues to represent a particularly interesting typology for those seeking more body than traditional Valpolicella without reaching the structure of Amarone.
The contact of the base wine with the Amarone or Recioto pomace increases color, aromas, structure and roundness.
Red wines can also be served chilled
The way we consume red wine during the summer is also changing.
Reds characterized by good acidity, moderate tannins and moderate alcohol content can be served chilled, approximately between 10 and 15 °C , opening up new opportunities for consumption during the warm season.
Wine markups in restaurants: the debate returns
A bottle purchased from the restaurant for 15 euros can go up to 60 euros on the menu.
The debate over markups continues, but restaurants are reminded that behind the final price lie costs that are often invisible to consumers: specialized staff, sommeliers, training, financial immobilization of bottles, storage, and cellar space.
Wine and health: the scientific debate continues
An analysis presented in 2026 to the American College of Cardiology, based on over 340,000 adults from the UK Biobank , reports observational differences between types and patterns of alcoholic beverage consumption.
The review material reports an association with lower cardiovascular mortality among moderate wine consumers compared to abstainers or occasional consumers.
However, these are observational associations , which do not demonstrate that drinking wine produces a health benefit and should not be interpreted as an invitation to consume.
ITALIAN VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY
Phytosanitary zoning: increasingly precise vineyard management
Dividing the vineyard into zones with different levels of susceptibility to pests can improve the organization of defense interventions.
Phytosanitary zoning allows for more precise intervention in vineyard management, optimizing logistics, timing, and treatments.
Climate change and early harvests
The heat is increasingly changing the Italian grape harvest calendar.
In 2026, many areas brought forward their harvests, especially for sparkling wine bases and early varieties, while maintaining generally positive quality prospects.
For producers and winemakers, it is therefore becoming increasingly important to identify the correct time for harvesting to preserve the acidity, aromatic balance and quality of the grapes .
INTERNATIONAL MARKET AND SCENARIO
The “invisible” market of large European vineyards
There is an international market for premium wineries and vineyards that rarely passes through normal real estate channels.
The most prestigious properties are often sold through private relationships and discreet transactions.
Value does not only depend on hectares, buildings and vineyards, but also on intangible elements such as denomination, reputation, history, terroir, brand and production possibilities .
A dynamic evident in Champagne and Burgundy, but increasingly present also in the most prestigious Italian territories, such as Langhe and Montalcino .
Burgundy: Terroir, Classifications, and the Role of Man
The cultural debate continues on the Burgundy model and its complex hierarchy of crus and climats.
The reflection mainly concerns the relationship between terroir, the history of the denominations, the value of individual parcels and the concrete role of the winemaker and the winemaker in determining the final identity of the wine.
Egypt: Opportunities for Italian Agriculture
Egyptian Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk has identified Egypt as a potential hub for Italian agricultural companies interested in the African market.
Topics discussed include investments, food security, new technologies, aquaculture, high-yield seeds, and logistics links between the Mediterranean and Europe.
Wine meets gaming
PairPlays , an online video game dedicated to wine and food pairing, is born in the United States.
The goal is to introduce new generations, especially those with younger generations, to the culture of wine through gaming, digital experiences, promotions, and interactive engagement.
A small sign of how wine communication is also seeking new languages to communicate with young people .
WINE TOURISM AND TERRITORIES
Cilento is growing as a wine destination
Cilento is consolidating its position among Campania's emerging wine-growing areas.
Aglianico, Fiano, and Greco complement an offering that integrates wine, organic farming, landscape, and winery tours, contributing to the development of local wine tourism.
Monte Isola joins the Wine Cities
The Municipality of Monte Isola , on Lake Iseo, joins the network of the National Association of Wine Cities.
The membership aims to promote the territory, local produce, food and wine tourism, sustainability, and landscape protection.
The Al Bano Carrisi Estates: Wine and Hospitality in Salento
The Al Bano Carrisi Estates in Cellino San Marco represent an example of integration between winery, catering, hospitality, tastings, territory and awareness of the personal brand .
A formula that shows how wine can become part of a much broader tourist experience.
WINE EVENTS
The Nights of Wine are approaching their grand finale.
Positive results for Le Notti del Vino in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
After the sold out of Sgonico on August 18th, the program continues with:
The initiative, born in Friuli Venezia Giulia in 2024, subsequently assumed a national dimension.
Friuli Doc 2026
From 10 to 13 September Udine will host Friuli Doc.
Piazza Matteotti will be dedicated to tastings organized by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Friuli Colli Orientali e Ramandolo and the AIS.
Among the new features of the 32nd edition is the First Friulian Bitter Fair , further expanding the dialogue between wine, local products and gastronomic culture.
DiVino Etrusco 2026 in Tarquinia
From 20 to 23 August and from 27 to 29 August , Tarquinia hosts the twentieth edition of DiVino Etrusco .
Wineries and wines from cities linked to the ancient Etruscan Dodecapolis will be featured alongside guest wineries from Calabria, Sicily, and Sardinia.
An event that unites wine, history, culture, and the Mediterranean.
Wine, cheeses and mountain territories
A tasting brings together four great mountain cheeses— Maccagno Biellese, Bettelmatt, Castelmagno DOP d'Alpeggio, and Gorgonzola DOP piccante Riserva —with Franciacorta wines from Corte Fusia.
A journey dedicated to the dialogue between territories, ageing techniques, and food and wine pairings.
Padova 2027: Wine, Language, Literature, and Territory
The University of Padua announces the VI International Conference on Language, Literature, Wine and Territory , scheduled for 9 to 11 June 2027 .
The conference will analyze wine not only as an agricultural product, but as
QUIDQUID – Wine Press Review
The main Italian and international news dedicated to wine, cellars, viticulture, oenology, the market, investments, harvests and wine tourism .
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