Wine press review for Tuesday, September 15, 2026!

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents the main news from the world of wine: Italian wineries, the market, the harvest, oenology, international scenarios, and events.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Tasca d'Almerita focuses on high-end products and exports. The historic Sicilian winery strengthens its premium positioning with Lucio Pensiero , a new label produced in just 5,580 bottles, in addition to magnums and large formats also intended for collectors. The wine is made at Regaleali from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon and reflects Lucio Tasca's innovative vision.

Vitevis: Technology and Digital Enter the Harvest. The Veneto cooperative, with over 1,000 members, 2,700 hectares of vineyards, and approximately 16 million bottles , uses infrared analysis to monitor grape quality and the Enogis management system to digitally schedule deliveries. The goal: consistent quality, efficiency, and improved member remuneration. Cantine Fina: Family, Territory, and Generational Continuity . The Marsala winery, developed by the Fina family since 2005, is presented as an example of a winery where entrepreneurial project, terroir, expertise, and family continuity build a recognizable identity. Tenuta Fontana promotes native Campanian grape varieties . With the "Radici Autoctone" project, the company focuses on Pallagrello Bianco and Nero, Sciascinoso, Falanghina, and Aglianico. Among its distinctive features is the Vigna di San Silvestro within the Royal Palace of Caserta. Crops: Experience and Vineyard Management Against the Heat The 2026 harvest required timely interventions to address high temperatures and vine stress. The experience of founder Cesare Ruggeri, 78, led the company to anticipate irrigation at the most critical times of the season. Costaripa concludes a positive harvest in Valtènesi. Excellent-quality grapes for the 2026 vintage, despite the heat and early ripening. Harvest began on August 5th , about a week earlier than usual, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay destined for the Metodo Classico. Work on RosaMara, a rosé conceived as a wine capable of evolving over time, is also key.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

The 2026 harvest will be a very selective year. According to winemaker Vincenzo Mercurio, extreme heat, water stress, and high levels of sunlight have profoundly affected the physiology of the vines. The vintage appears to be very heterogeneous: on average, wines rich in color and lower acidity, but with marked differences between terroirs, vineyards, and even individual vines. The winemaker's role will be crucial.

Early harvest and generally healthy grapes. In many Italian regions, harvest began one to two weeks early , with peaks of up to twenty days. The grapes are generally healthy and of good quality, but high temperatures and drought have accelerated ripening and reduced acidity in several cases.

Franciacorta: the vineyard must adapt more quickly. The early harvest confirms the impact of climate change on vine cycles. Terre d'Aenòr brought approximately 3,500 quintals of grapes to the cellar, with initial signs of structured, aromatically rich, and elegant wines.

2026 Winemaking: Focus on Acidity and Tannins. Heatwaves make managing acid balance and phenolic maturity particularly important. Among the techniques considered is bioacidification using Lachancea thermotolerans yeasts, capable of producing lactic acid in the early stages of fermentation.

Italian wine exports: -6.2% in value in the first half. Exports fell to 3.6 billion euros , a decrease of 6.2% in value and 4% in volume compared to 2025. Nine of the top ten markets recorded a contraction. The United States recorded -14.1% , to 849 million euros; non-EU -7.5% and the European Union -4.2%. In twenty years, Italian wine's dependence on exports has grown. In 2025, Italy exported 44 liters for every 100 products , compared to 39.9 in 2006. In almost twenty years, production has decreased by 3.6%, while exports in volume have grown by 11.7%. The area dedicated to wine grapes has also decreased by approximately 19,340 hectares . Wine by the glass: changing consumption in restaurants. Wine by the glass now represents 24% of wine consumption in restaurants , a percentage that rises to 31% in premium establishments . This trend signals more moderate consumption, but also a greater focus on quality and food pairings. Monferrato: urgent request from the General States of Wine. The Barbera d'Asti and Vini del Monferrato Consortium is calling for a discussion between institutions, consortia, businesses, distributors, and trade organizations. At the center: producer profitability, competitiveness, appellation promotion, and the future of new generations. Pelaverga: growing value for the niche. In thirty years, the hectares dedicated to Pelaverga have quintupled, and production has increased from approximately 150,000 to 274,000 bottles . Verduno wine is primarily focused on foreign markets. Agriculture: fuel bonus by September 30 Agricultural businesses can apply to Agea for the tax credit intended to offset the higher diesel costs incurred between March 1 and May 31, 2026. Deadline for applications: September 30, 2026 .

INTERNATIONAL

Champagne 2026: Low yields, high quality expectations. The Comité Champagne speaks of healthy and very promising grapes, but quantities are significantly reduced. Estimates indicate 1.3 million hectoliters , a 48% decrease from 2025 and a 46% decrease from the 2021-2025 average.

Champagne Bernard Bijotat invests in production efficiency. The Maison, which produces approximately 150,000 bottles per year , has redesigned its new facility, introducing a pre-insulated thermoplastic system to improve thermal control, energy efficiency, and reliability during the fermentation and stabilization phases. Switzerland: Two wineries fined for illegal chaptalization. In the canton of Vaud, two companies were fined over 20,000 francs after analyses revealed irregularities in more than 3,000 liters of wine .

United Kingdom: New excise duties worry the wine sector. The Wine & Spirits Trade Association fears a further increase in alcohol taxation. The British market remains strategic for Italy, but in the first six months of 2026, Italian wine imports fell to €345.5 million (-6.6%) , with volumes down 6%.

European Agriculture: Falling Prices and Rising Costs In the second quarter of 2026, EU agricultural output prices fell by 5.8% , while production inputs increased by 4.7% . This gap increases pressure on the profitability of European farms.

WINE EVENTS

Sicilian Whites – Catania, September 18-19. Over one hundred wineries will be featured in the fourth edition of "Sicilian Whites – The Sun in Your Glass." The event focuses on white wines, terroir, climate change, high-altitude viticulture, and varietal identity.

Franciacorta in Cantina Festival – September 18-20 Three days dedicated to wine, the region, and the culture of the appellation, with cellar tours, tastings, masterclasses, and direct meetings with producers. The 2026 edition particularly strengthens the educational component. Èno Florence Wine Excellence – Florence, September 20-21 Over 350 producers and 1,400 wines are expected at the Fortezza da Basso, with masterclasses and meetings between wineries, buyers, distributors, restaurateurs, and enthusiasts. The event aims to strengthen Florence's role as a commercial platform for wine. Terra Madre Salone del Gusto – Turin, September 24-27 President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella will officially inaugurate the 2026 edition on September 24 at the Teatro Regio. The event will also celebrate 40 years of Slow Food, with biodiversity, local areas, and food culture at the center of the program. Birra Metzger returns to Terra Madre. The historic Turin brand, founded in 1848 and recently relaunched, will be present from September 24th to 27th, illustrating the connection between production, industrial history, communication, and Turin's culture.

SIGNAL OF THE DAY

The picture that emerges from today's news is clear: the 2026 harvest can offer quality, but requires much more expertise and selection , while on the commercial front, Italian wine must contend with declining exports and consumers who drink less but seek higher quality.

Vineyard and cellar technology, premium positioning, territorial development, wine tourism, and the ability to adapt quickly to new markets are becoming increasingly crucial.

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

See you tomorrow.