Wine press review for Tuesday, September 8, 2026!

Good morning,

Wine Idea presents the main news from the world of wine, wineries, and Italian and international oenology.

ITALIAN WINERIES

TORRE ROSAZZA AIMS AT THE GREAT WHITES OF THE EASTERN HILLS OF FRIULI

Torre Rosazza, part of the Tenute del Leone Alato estate—the Generali Group's winemaking hub—is consolidating its role in promoting Friulano and Pinot Grigio . The estate, acquired in 1974, is located in the Colli Orientali del Friuli, where terraced vineyards, ponca soils, Adriatic breezes, and temperature variations contribute to the wines' strong identity.

MASI: 2026 HARVEST EARLY, BUT GOOD QUALITY GRAPES

The harvest is well underway at the Masi Group estates, well ahead of traditional vintages. High temperatures, water shortages, and extreme weather events have complicated the growing season, but the grapes show good health and positive quality parameters. For President Sandro Boscaini, climate change and the market now require structural responses .

BARON RICASOLI, OVER EIGHT CENTURIES OF HISTORY IN CHIANTI

Founded in 1141, Barone Ricasoli is one of the oldest family-run wineries in the world. Today, the property extends over approximately 1,200 hectares , with 235 hectares of vineyards and 26 hectares of olive groves. Castello di Brolio remains the heart of a winemaking heritage deeply rooted in the history of Chianti Classico.

TUSCAN WINEGROWERS INVEST IN EFFICIENCY AND AUTOMATION

The Vini Viticoltori Toscani cooperative, founded in 2021 from the merger of historic Val d'Elsa wineries, has approximately 700 members and over 1,650 hectares of vineyards and olive groves . Investments supported by the PSR Toscana have included facilities, purification, new vats, and laboratory equipment, with the aim of strengthening production and marketing capacity.

CANTINA BOZEN CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF HUCK AM BACH

Huck Am Bach turns 40, and Cantina Bozen is celebrating the occasion with a dedicated label. The wine takes its name from the historic Santa Maddalena farm, which has been in the same family since 1783, strengthening the connection between wine, terroir, and South Tyrolean tradition.

SANTA MARIA LA PALMA BRINGS ALGHERO VERMENTINO TO NEW YORK

The Sardinian cooperative Santa Maria La Palma will be participating in Great Wines Italy New York 2026 on September 9th and 10th. The event will feature 180 Italian producers and approximately 350 wines. The winery will present its Akènta Cuvée and Akènta Sub, making the event an important sales opportunity for US buyers, importers, and distributors.

TENUTA CERI: WINE, RESTAURANTS, AND HOSPITALITY BECOME ONE PROJECT

In Carmignano, Tenuta Ceri is developing an integrated model combining wine production, hospitality, and fine dining. The project includes an underground cellar nestled into the hillside, new suites, and the relocation of the Michelin-starred Paca restaurant. It's an example of how a winery can evolve from a production facility to a true wine tourism destination .

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

2026 HARVEST: 42.6 MILLION HECTOLITERS ARE ALREADY IN ITALIAN CELLARS

The new harvest begins with 42.6 million hectoliters of wine already in storage as of July 31, 2026 , 6.9% more than the previous year. Of these, over 23.5 million are PDO wines and approximately 10.9 million PGI wines. The high inventory levels are increasing pressure on storage capacity, deliveries, and the commercial management of the new production.

PUGLIA: 4.28 MILLION HECTOLITERS IN THE CELLAR AND A GROWING HARVEST EXPECTED

Coldiretti Puglia is calling for a special plan for the regional wine sector . Approximately 4.29 million hectoliters of wine from the previous harvest remain in cellars, while the 2026 harvest is estimated to grow by 10%. At the heart of the problem are stocks, vineyard areas, and the market's capacity to absorb production.

VALTÈNESI: GOOD QUALITY OF GRAPES, BUT DECREASING QUANTITY

The 2026 harvest in Valtènesi and the Riviera del Garda Classico area began early. The grapes are healthy and well-ripened, while the quantities are slightly lower than expected due to the high temperatures and the season's weather events.

BARBERA D'ASTI: "WE'RE NOT JUST LOOKING AT HARVESTS, BUT ALSO AT INCOME."

Filippo Mobrici, president of the Barbera d'Asti Consortium, draws attention to the economic situation of winemakers. The issue isn't just the quantity produced: according to Mobrici, the progressive decline in agricultural profitability must be addressed and a general assembly of the sector must be convened.

LANGHE: LESS MONOCULTURE AND MORE BIODIVERSITY

In Lirano, producer Enrico Rivetto pursues an alternative agricultural model to monoculture. Of approximately 30 hectares, only 14 are dedicated to vines and 7 to woodland. Over the past fifteen years, approximately 1,500 trees have been planted and five kilometers of biological corridors have been created.

WINE TOURISM: A ROOM AMONG THE VINEYARDS BECOMES A SALES TOOL

As wine inventories increase, interest in a first-hand experience at the winery is growing. Food and wine stays by foreign tourists in Italy reached approximately 760,000 in 2024, with spending totaling €396 million . New hospitality models are thus being developed directly at wineries, integrating accommodation, direct sales, and promoting the local area.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: FROM THE VINEYARD TO THE CELLAR

AI is making a tangible impact on the winemaking industry. Drones, imaging, sensors, machine learning, and deep learning can support cluster counting, monitoring vigor, early detection of disease and water stress, irrigation, and predicting grape quality parameters. In the winery, technologies can also contribute to the control and management of fermentation .

THE CLOSURE INFLUENCES THE EVOLUTION OF WINE IN THE BOTTLED

A five-year study by Vinolok and the University of Udine analyzes the evolution of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir using different closure systems. The comparison involves glass, screwcaps, corks, and technical closures, with the aim of understanding how this element can impact the sensory evolution of wine over time.

THE VINEYARD ENTERS THE THERAPEUTIC PATHWAYS

The so-called therapeutic vineyard is being explored as a complementary environment to rehabilitation programs. Activities among the vines, when integrated into structured professional programs, can contribute to the development of physical, cognitive, and relational skills. They do not replace treatment, but can become an additional rehabilitation tool.

SPRITZ, PRICES FROM 2 TO OVER 16 EUROS: ITALY'S APERITIF WORLD IS DIVIDED

The 2026 Aperol Spritz Index shows significant price differences. Milan averages €16.66 , with peaks of €20, while Naples averages around €2 . This gap reflects tourism, purchasing power, location of venues, and different consumption patterns.

INTERNATIONAL

FRANCE: 2026 HARVEST LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THE LOWEST YIELD IN 30 YEARS

French wine production in 2026 is estimated at approximately 34 million hectoliters , 6% less than in 2025 and 17% below the 2021-2025 average. Drought, heat waves, and a reduction in vineyard area are among the causes. The declines expected in Champagne and Burgundy-Beaujolais are particularly significant.

MOËT & CHANDON AND FORMULA 1: LUXURY WINE STRENGTHENS ITS CONNECTION WITH MAJOR EVENTS

The presence of Moët & Chandon Champagne on the podium in Monza confirms the strategy of major luxury brands to combine wine, international sport, and high-visibility events. This positioning expands wine communication beyond traditional wine channels.

WINE EVENTS

VINIMILO: SIX GREAT WINES FROM ETNA COMPARED OVER TIME

On September 9th in Milo, a masterclass will compare six Etna wines from two different vintages, one recent and one at least ten years old. The goal is to analyze how grape varieties, terroirs, vintages, and production styles change over time.

FRANCIACORTA FESTIVAL IN CANTINA, SEPTEMBER 18TH TO 20TH

The Franciacorta in Cantina 2026 Festival returns, featuring tastings, tours, training, and direct meetings with producers. This edition focuses on understanding the Franciacorta method, the history of the appellation, and the relationship between wine and terroir.

NARDINI PRESENTS ITS NEW PRODUCTS AT THE ROMA BAR SHOW

Nardini will present Hylde , a new elderflower liqueur, at the Roma Bar Show on September 14th and 15th, along with a one-liter format of Garage Gin dedicated to the hospitality sector. The event will feature drink lists curated by leading figures in Italian mixology.

IRPINIA: WINE, CULTURE, AND INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION

The conference "The Time of Irpinia. Wine, Culture, Passion" brings together institutions, the Protection Consortium, and fifteen Italian Wine Ambassadors from various countries from the Vinitaly International Academy in Avellino, with the aim of strengthening the region's international recognition.

VALTIDONE WINE FEST: SUCCESS FOR ORTRUGO AND THE PIACENTINI HILLS

The seventeenth edition of the Valtidone Wine Fest was a sold-out event in Borgonovo Val Tidone. Over twenty wineries presented their wines and local products, confirming the value of local events as a tool for promoting appellations and wine tourism.

ITALIANITY: ITALIAN WINE TOLD THROUGH TERRITORIES AND CULTURE

On September 13th in Serralunga d'Alba, Andrea Lonardi and Jessica Dupuy will present "Italianity ," a cultural journey through Italian grape varieties, regions, and communities. Wine is interpreted as an expression of heritage, innovation, resilience, and lifestyle.

VINESTATE REMEMBERS ANTONIO FALLUTO

The 51st edition of VinEstate paid tribute to Antonio Falluto of the Cav. Mennato Falluto Winery, commemorating the family's contribution to the birth and growth of the historic event.

THE PICTURE OF THE DAY

The news of September 8th highlights four important signals for Italian wine .

Harvest and Inventory – Grape quality appears generally positive, but the high level of wine still in the cellars is making the balance between new production, inventory, and sales capacity increasingly delicate.

Profitability – The sector's problems can't be measured solely in hectoliters. There's growing concern about winegrowers' incomes and the economic sustainability of wineries.

Diversification – Hospitality, catering, direct sales, and wine tourism are becoming increasingly important components of the winery's business model.

Innovation – Artificial intelligence, precision viticulture, sustainability, biodiversity, and wine research demonstrate a supply chain seeking new tools to address climate, costs, and changing consumption patterns.

THE STRATEGIC KEY

Italian wine enters the 2026 harvest with potentially interesting quality, but with an increasingly evident problem of economic equilibrium.

Producing well is no longer enough.

The real challenge is to produce what the market can absorb, protect the vineyard's income, reduce inventory, and increase the value generated by each customer , including through hospitality, direct sales, local produce, and new technologies.

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

See you tomorrow.