Wine press review for Tuesday, September 22, 2026!

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents a summary of the main news from the world of wine: companies, markets, innovation, regions, international trends, and events.

ITALIAN WINERIES

Pio Cesare: Mosconi and the new generation of the historic Barolo winery

Federica Boffa, Pio and Cesare Benvenuto recount the Pio Cesare family's journey at the Mosconi MGA in Monforte d'Alba. Approximately ten hectares were purchased in 2014 and subsequently restored, including two parcels of Nebbiolo from 1947. The first Mosconi Barolo harvest was in 2015. On the market, the winery is experiencing difficulties related to tariffs and declining consumption, but is also seeing some signs of recovery.

Tenuta San Giorgio: 85 hectares and 1.5 million bottles

Tenuta San Giorgio, a family-run winery founded in 1971 by Sergio Tombacco in Maserada sul Piave, is now in its fourth generation. It manages 85 hectares of vineyards between Maserada sul Piave and Arquà Petrarca, all under the SQNPI (Single-Protected Geographical Indication) regime, and produces approximately 1.5 million bottles. Its wines include Insula 2022, a Manzoni Bianco Veneto IGT from the Grave di Papadopoli area.

Cocchi focuses on the Alta Langa

Cocchi expands its Alta Langa offering with Espressione Bianc Pas Dosé 2019, a sparkling wine made from white grapes and aged on the lees for five years. The house's total production of Alta Langa labels now totals approximately 150,000 bottles, joining its Piedmontese sparkling wines, Vermouth, and Barolo Chinato.

Tasca d'Almerita pays tribute to Lucio Tasca

The historic Sicilian winery presents "Lucio Pensiero," a wine dedicated to Lucio Tasca and the vision that, since the late 1980s, contributed to the internationalization of Sicilian wine. At a time when native grape varieties were less recognized internationally, the introduction of Chardonnay and Cabernet represented a strategic choice to compete in global markets.

Murgo: Over 160 Years of Viticulture on Mount Etna

Murgo's origins date back to 1860. Today, the estate encompasses approximately 60 hectares of vineyards within a 120-hectare agricultural complex. The company was among the pioneers of sparkling wine production using pure Nerello Mascalese, a process begun in the 1990s and now one of the company's signature products.

Rivetto brings Barolo to the Arctic waters

After twelve months at a depth of 34 meters in Norwegian waters, 1,002 bottles of Barolo Rivetto 2021 resurfaced. The “Arctic Barolo” project, carried out together with Hurtigruten, experienced refinement in conditions characterized by a constant temperature of around 5-6 °C, complete darkness and a pressure of around 4 bar.

Cantina Pizzolato celebrates 45 years

Cantina Pizzolato celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2026. On September 26th, the winery opens its doors to the public and presents "Together for Nature," a social project dedicated to the community. New developments include the sustainable redesign of the Family Collection and the new Prosecco DOC Extra Brut.

Calabria: New dry wines are born from passito grapes.

In Saracena, some producers are reinterpreting the grapes traditionally used to make the historic Moscato al Governo di Saracena. Cantine Diana offers Mileo Bianco from Moscatello, Malvasia, and Guarnaccia, while Cantine Viola is reviving the ancient "raspato" technique. Tradition and experimentation thus become tools for showcasing local grape varieties.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

Marche: New promotional strategies needed after the 2026 harvest

The challenging 2026 harvest is forcing the Marche winemaking system to rethink its organization and promotion. Michele Bernetti, president of the Marche Wine Protection Institute, emphasizes the need to move beyond a single promotional model: different appellations have different markets, priorities, and targets. Greater planning and marketing positioning are therefore crucial.

Monferrato: Work in the vineyard continues after the harvest

Harvesting doesn't complete the vine's cycle. As long as the leaves remain active, photosynthesis allows the plant to accumulate the reserves needed to weather the winter and sustain growth the following spring in the shoots, trunk, and especially in the roots.

PIWI: Resistant grape varieties to reduce treatments

Fungal-resistant varieties represent one possible response to the need to reduce pesticide use. So-called PIWI varieties are derived from crosses between Vitis vinifera and resistant species and may require fewer treatments. Research is paying particular attention to their oenological quality and adaptation to hot, dry Mediterranean environments.

Sicilia DOC invests in training

The Consortium for the Protection of DOC Sicilia Wines launches the "DOC Sicilia Academy," a program aimed at industry professionals. The main themes are wine tourism, innovation in winemaking, and energy efficiency, with the aim of strengthening businesses' skills and supporting them in market developments.

Tre Bicchieri 2027: The map of Italian excellence continues.

Gambero Rosso is presenting the wines awarded Tre Bicchieri in the 2027 Italian Wines Guide, region by region. Sicily, Umbria, and Basilicata are among the regions already announced.

In Sicily, 31 labels received awards, a new regional record, with a significant presence of Marsala, Grillo, and Etna wines. In Umbria, 17 bottles received the highest recognition. In Basilicata, Vulture and Aglianico continue to represent the region's main production.

Slow Wine 2027: 247 wineries awarded the Snail

The Slow Wine 2027 guide has awarded 247 Snails, five more than in the previous edition. The recognition takes into account how wineries interpret wine quality, terroir, environmental sustainability, and value for money.

Spergola: an ancient Emilian grape variety returns to prominence

In the Reggio Emilia hills between Scandiano and Canossa, interest is growing in Spergola, a variety with a long local tradition. Genetic research by the University of Bologna has clarified its identity, after it was long confused with Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine tourism and hospitality: 19 wine-related establishments in the Michelin Keys

The new Italian selection of Michelin Keys includes 224 award-winning hotels. Of these, 19 are directly connected to the world of wine: two with Three Keys, five with Two Keys, and 12 with One Key. This confirms the growing importance of quality hospitality in wineries' diversification strategies.

Milan: Noloteca opens, a space dedicated to alcohol-free beverages.

Noloteca, a shop specializing exclusively in zero-alcohol products, from fermented beverages to non-alcoholic spirits, has opened in Milan's Isola neighborhood. The initiative taps into the growing interest in new ways to consume and alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages.

Winery Safety: Tragedy in Partinico

In Partinico, in the province of Palermo, a mother and son were found dead in a room also used for fermentation containers. Initial investigations suggest fumes and a severe lack of oxygen. Authorities are currently investigating. The incident raises awareness of the risks of closed environments during fermentation.

Langhe: Around 3,000 bottles of Barolo stolen

A high-value theft has affected a winery in the Langhe region. According to reports, at least four people stole approximately 3,000 bottles of Barolo, selecting the most valuable batches. Law enforcement is analyzing video surveillance footage.

Ombrone: A documentary rediscovers Etruscan wine

The documentary "Ombrone, Etruscan Wine" recounts the work of winemaker Francesco Mondini and the revival of practices inspired by Etruscan viticulture and winemaking. Archaeology, amphorae, permaculture, and ancestral techniques become tools to explore the relationship between wine, land, and memory.

INTERNATIONAL

France: Wine exports to reach €5.4 billion in the first half of 2026

French wine is also slowing on international markets. In the first half of 2026, exports reached €5.4 billion , down 2.2% , while volumes fell 1.5% to 618.9 million liters.

The average price decreased by 0.7%, settling at 8.74 euros/litre.

Sparkling wines bucked the trend: 1.9 billion euros (2.6%) and 99.4 million litres (6%), even if the average price fell by 3.2%.

The United States remains the leading market in terms of value, with approximately 1 billion euros, but has seen a 9.8% decline. Growth is, however, seen in the United Kingdom (3.8%), Singapore (8.4%), and above all Hong Kong (17.8%).

The French data fits into an international context in which Italy also closed the first half of 2026 with declining wine exports.

WINE EVENTS

Autumnus brings Burgundy to Trento

From October 1st to 11th, "Autumnus – Fruits of the Earth" returns to Trento. This sixth edition focuses on Burgundy, bringing the Trentino region into dialogue with some of Europe's leading winemakers through tastings, meetings, and in-depth discussions.

Morbegno in the Cellar 2026

Three weekends dedicated to Valtellina: September 25-27, October 2-4, and October 9-11 . Morbegno in Cantina offers over 60 labels, including reds, Sforzatos, sparkling wines, whites, rosés, and organic wines, with guided tours led by producers, AIS sommeliers, and ONAV tasters.

Contemporary Method: Wine, Art, and Landscape in 14 Wineries

From October 23rd to 25th , 14 wineries across eight Italian regions will participate in the second edition of "MetodoContemporaneo – Itineraries through Arts, Wine, and Landscape." The initiative, promoted by the University of Verona with Iter Vitis and Nemo Monti Comunicazione, offers visits, meetings, and experiences dedicated to the relationship between wine, art, architecture, and the landscape.

The MonteNapoleone Harvest

On October 8th in Milan , the Fashion District will once again bring together major wineries and luxury brands. Boutiques, hotels, and prestigious spaces will host tastings and meetings as part of the 17th edition of "La Vendemmia di MonteNapoleone."

Pizzolato Winery opens its doors for its 45th anniversary.

On September 26th, Cantina Pizzolato will celebrate its 45th anniversary with an event open to the public. The day will also feature the presentation of the "Together for Nature" project, the redesign of the Family Collection, and the new Prosecco DOC Extra Brut.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

The news of September 22, 2026, shows a wine sector undergoing a transformation on several fronts.

On the commercial front, the slowdown in exports also affects France and confirms that the pressure on consumption and the main international markets does not only concern Italian wine.

At the same time, there is growing attention towards diversification and added value : hospitality and wine tourism, training, sustainability, wine experimentation, the valorization of historic grape varieties and even new non-alcoholic categories.

For wineries, it is therefore increasingly important not to limit themselves to production, but to build a model capable of integrating wine, territory, brand, distribution, experience and direct relationship with the consumer .

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

See you tomorrow.