Wine press review for Wednesday, April 15, 2026!

Italian wineries

Zenato brings art to Vinitaly with the exhibition "Maya." The Veneto winery transforms the glass of its bottles into a narrative and cultural tool, recounting the work in the vineyard and cellar through contemporary photography. A project that strengthens the connection between wine, territory, and Italian cultural identity.

Ferrari revitalizes the value of time with "Archivio di Famiglia" Trentodoc Giulio Ferrari and Ferrari Riserva Lunelli become the protagonists of a project that focuses on the prolonged refinement and longevity of mountain sparkling wines, offering a unique proposition for consumers and high-end restaurants.

Vicentini experiments with rare grape varieties and new cellar innovations. At Vinitaly, the company presents new wines and the "field catalogue" work carried out with Graspo, dedicated to the recovery of varieties at risk of extinction, resistant to climate change and pathogens.

Crisis at the Cantina di Carpi e Sorbara: Regional intervention requested. The situation of the historic Emilian cooperative, struggling with serious financial distress, is a hot topic. The Regional Council has called for urgent measures to protect its members and ensure business continuity.

The “Cantina Futurista” opens in Treviso. One of Italy's first urban wineries debuts: a new project that combines open-view winemaking, dining, and a cocktail bar in a context of urban regeneration.

Palmento Costanzo expands its vineyard hospitality offerings on Etna. The Etna winery expands the concept of the winemaking experience by offering hospitality and stays immersed in the vineyards, confirming the Sicilian volcano's strong territorial potential.

Velenosi in the spotlight at Vinitaly Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini's visit to the Marche winery's stand highlights a company that is a symbol of Ascoli wine and its international reach.

Italian wine and Italian oenology

Wine tourism increasingly strategic for wineries. At Vinitaly, the role of wine tourism as a growth driver for the sector is clearly evident. The sector is now worth over €3 billion and remains one of the most dynamic, although improving hospitality and services remains a key focus.

The Sardinia Wine Tourism Network is born. Sardinia presents a pilot project in Verona that unites the island's wineries to develop a seasonally adjusted wine tourism, integrated with local culture, territories, and identities.

Sangiovese TEA: research opens a new phase. From Tuscany comes the first Sangiovese plant grown with Assisted Evolution Technologies. This represents an important step toward addressing drought and disease with targeted genetic innovation tools without the need for external DNA.

Northern Pact for Wine Research: Lombardy and Veneto are leading a new alliance between research centers and agricultural institutions in Northern Italy to strengthen the innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness of the national winemaking system.

EU Labeling Case: Industry Rejects Alarmist Health Warnings . At Vinitaly, debate over European proposals regarding health warnings on labels has reignited. The wine industry fears further damage to its reputation and regulations.

Alcohol-free wines: bureaucracy slows down dealcoholization in Italy. Despite the regulatory framework being established, producers are still waiting for full operational approval to produce partially or totally dealcoholized wines in Italy.

Wine Reacts with the International Academy of Healthy Drinking Signorvino launches a new scientific and cultural organization to bring the wine debate back to a foundation of scientific evidence, countering simplifications and penalizing narratives.

From Defensive to Offensive: The New Approach for Italian Wine Minister Lollobrigida advocates for a more proactive strategy for the sector, focusing on promotion, communication, and production improvements rather than structural reduction measures.

Large-scale retail trade: lower volumes, stable values, rising premiums. Circana data confirms a decline in volumes in large-scale retail trade for 2025, but with substantially stable values thanks to growth in the medium-high price ranges. Sparkling wines continue to buck the positive trend.

Foodservice and wine: a crucial channel, but one that needs strengthening. The FIPE-UIV Observatory highlights the strategic importance of the HoReCa sector, worth €12 billion. However, structural limitations emerge in managing the wine list and promoting the product on-site.

Anti-greenwashing directive: communicating sustainability will be more rigorous. Starting in 2026, the use of terms like "natural," "green," or "eco-friendly" will require certified proof. This change will impact wine labels, websites, and marketing communications.

Heroic Viticulture: Veneto Regional Register Launched Veneto announces the establishment of the Register of Heroic and Historic Viticulturists, an important step toward recognizing and protecting a viticulture that is both traditional, distinctive, and highly challenging.

International

Italian wine exports are struggling, but new markets are picking up pace. Federvini reports a decline in exports to the US, penalized by tariffs, with a very difficult first two months of 2026. At the same time, however, alternative markets such as Mercosur and India are growing strongly, becoming increasingly strategic.

India under special observation for Italian wine India emerges as one of the most promising markets: growing consumption, a broadening consumer base, and the perception of wine as a symbol of style, success, and modernity.

Wine Travel Awards: Growing Interest in New Wine Tourism Destinations Among the 2026 destinations, some less obvious areas emerge compared to the classic European wine tourism hubs, a sign of a more curious and diverse international demand.

Château d'Yquem: Between Legend and the Luxury Market The celebrated Sauternes returns to the spotlight with a presentation-auction that confirms the symbolic and commercial power of these iconic wines on the global scene.

Wine events

Vinitaly confirms the central role of wine tourism. Through tastings, meetings, and debates, Verona confirms its position as a platform for discussion on the future of wine, with a focus on hospitality, business models, and territorial development.

Vinitaly: Flavor, Color, and Business Relations The photo story from the stands conveys a vibrant image of a vibrant event, brimming with aesthetics, B2B meetings, tastings, and a widespread presence of industry professionals and institutions.

Meloni at Vinitaly: full support for the sector. The Prime Minister calls Vinitaly a "unique showcase of Made in Italy" and reiterates the Government's commitment to supporting the sector in a complex international context.

The 70th Valdobbiadene DOCG Exhibition is in full swing. The calendar of events continues at Col San Martino, including awards ceremonies, food, a photography exhibition, tourist itineraries, and sports initiatives related to the Valdobbiadene region.

Sangiovese Festival in San Giovanni Valdarno On April 18th and 19th, the city hosts a major event dedicated to Sangiovese with 80 wineries, over 400 labels, masterclasses, music, and cultural events.

Supertrebbiano Returns to Spoleto The second edition of the event dedicated to Trebbiano Spoletino brings together over 15 Umbrian wineries and local producers, confirming the growing interest in these distinctive grape varieties.

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