Wine press review for Wednesday, November 4, 2026!

A summary dedicated to wineries, producers, professionals, and enthusiasts, with updates on the market, consumption, winemaking, businesses, and events.

1. Italian wineries

Ruggeri: Prosecco Superiore enters the premium segment

With Revén Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut 2025, priced around 20 euros, Ruggeri aims to highlight high-end Prosecco, distinguishing it from more commercial productions.

Alepa presents its rosé “With the Pink Ribbon” 2025

Paola Riccio's Campania winery presents the second vintage of its rosé made from Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Caiazzo. A deep cherry-red wine, obtained with a brief maceration on the skins.

Letrari expands its range with the 2025 Pinot Noir

The historic Trentino winery presents a new still red, initially producing 2,600 bottles, with a potential production of 14,000 at full capacity. This project complements the traditional Trentodoc production.

Ômina Romana: winemaking experimentation in the Alban Hills

Founded by the Börner family in Velletri in 2007, the winery enhances the volcanic soils through agronomic research, varietal selection, and quality-oriented production.

Count Collalto promotes the historic Prosecco vines

The Conte Collalto Experience project promotes Bianchetta, Verdiso, and Prosecco on the lees through tastings and food pairings. After Rome, the next event is scheduled for Florence.

Damilano: Making Barolo More Relevant to Young People

The historic Langhe winery is working to expand Barolo's appeal, moving beyond its image as a wine reserved exclusively for special occasions and highlighting its versatility.

Kaltern Winery Wins Best Sauvignon 2024 Award

The Quintessenz Sauvignon Alto Adige DOC won first place at the Italian National Sauvignon Blanc Competition. Nine of the top ten wines were from Alto Adige.

Badenchini Brothers: Double Gold for Val Tidone Wines

The Ziano Piacentino winery received two awards at Merano WineHunter with its Malvasia DOC sparkling wine and its Barbera Carona sparkling wine, both from the 2025 vintage.

2. Italian wine and Italian oenology

Consumption: 94.4% of those interviewed drink wine at least occasionally

According to a CREA survey conducted in 2024 among 1,038 consumers, 56.5% drink wine at least weekly. Taste drives purchases (82%), followed by designation of origin (73.7%). 41.2% are willing to spend more than €20 for a bottle.

Large-scale retail trade: wine sales down, sparkling wine sales up

In the first nine months of 2026, according to Circana, total sales of wine and sparkling wines in modern retail reached €2.15 billion (-1.6%). Still wines and other non-sparkling wine categories declined by 2.9% in value, while sparkling wines grew by 2.5%. Classic Method wines recorded an 8.6% growth.

2026 Harvest: Official Data Still Awaited

European Commission estimates indicate Italian production of 41.1 million hectoliters, yet to be confirmed. According to previews reported by WineNews, the final figures will come from company harvest and production declarations.

Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie: 2025 Inventories Reclassified

Veneto, in agreement with Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino, has established that quantities from the 2025 harvest still in administrative storage cannot be marketed as DOC Delle Venezie. The goal is to limit supply and protect the designation.

Women in Wine: Leadership and Innovation

Women represent approximately 40% of those employed in the Italian wine industry and lead over 65,000 agricultural and winemaking businesses. A conference at the University of Milan highlighted their contribution to sustainability, communication, and business management.

Barbera d'Asti: recognized quality at affordable prices

Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia 2027 guide highlights five particularly interesting Barbera d'Asti wines: four under €15 and one under €20. A perfect balance between quality and affordability.

Sustainability and biodiversity: the Born Sustainable project

The Barbera d'Asti and Vini del Monferrato, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, and Roccaverano DOP Consortia share the connection between territory and sustainability. In Monferrato, research is involving approximately 90 historic Barbera vines to preserve viticultural biodiversity.

Wine tourism: over 18 million enthusiasts

Food and wine tourism continues to grow in Italy. According to the data cited in the news, food and wine-related stays have grown 176% in the last decade, favoring wineries, villages, and local producers.

Valtellina: Wine and Territory as Tourism Drivers

In Sondrio, the Terre di vino, terre di valore initiative explored the opportunities of wine tourism, highlighting the importance of collaboration between institutions, producers, and tourism operators.

Giuseppe Carrus awarded as Popularizer of the Year

The Foreign Press Association in Italy recognizes the work of the journalist and editor of the Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia guide, who has been committed to promoting Italian wine for twenty years.

3. International

France: Consumer Crisis and Reduction in Vineyards

The French wine sector is facing a challenging period, characterized by declining consumption, commercial difficulties, and vineyard uprooting. There is a growing need to rethink production and positioning.

Italian Exports: The United States Still a Strategic Market

According to the reported news, the United States accounts for approximately 24% of Italian wine exports, worth close to €2 billion. 300 companies participated in Vinitaly USA in New York, with approximately 3,000 exhibitors from 20 US states and 40 countries.

Prosecco and sparkling wines support the international market

Amid a slowdown in still wines, Italian sparkling wines are showing greater staying power. Prosecco is also confirming its commercial role in European markets like France.

Wine Paris 2027: More space for Italy, Spain, and low-alcohol beverages

From February 15 to 17, 2027, Wine Paris will bring together international wine professionals. Italy and Spain will be located in Hall 1, while increasing attention is paid to Asian markets and low-alcohol beverages.

LeBron James and wine: an episode that became news

A curious incident on the sidelines, involving a sip of wine shared with a spectator, confirms the media's attention to the relationship between sports celebrities and wine culture. The original report, however, contains inconsistencies regarding the player's team.

4. Wine events

Events and events for November and December 2026

Collio Evolution 2026: Pinot Grigio takes center stage

The second edition has concluded, with 50 wineries, over 250 labels, more than 60 journalists, and over 500 visitors. Pinot Grigio represents almost 30% of the Collio appellation's production.

DoloViniMiti: The Heroic Viticulture of the Cembra Valley

The festival promoted the over 800 hectares of vineyards and the approximately 700 kilometres of dry stone walls in the Trentino valley, connecting wine, landscape and mountain traditions.

La Paulée 2026 – Solomeo, 5–6 November

In Brunello Cucinelli's Umbrian village, producers from prestigious Italian and French wineries meet to celebrate wine and discuss the future of the sector.

Open Cellars on San Martino – Alonte, November 8th

Tenuta Zai, in the Berici Hills, is open from 10 am to 7 pm with tastings, local products, and Christmas specials.

Open Cellars in San Martino – Caorle

La Frassina offers tastings of wines from the lagoon area and cultural events dedicated to nature and the Mediterranean. Reservations are required for events with limited seating.

Autumn Glasses – Ferrara, November 13–15

Piazza Municipio will host Italian producers and wineries for three days of tastings, music, and meetings dedicated to wine culture.

Back to the Wine – Cesena, November 15–16

Around 100 artisan winemakers from Italy, France, and Slovenia will participate in the ninth edition of the fair dedicated to artisanal wines.

Christmas of the 5 Senses – Cantina Tramin, December 5th

In Termeno, a reservation-only dinner will pair the cellar's wines with the cuisine of the Pirbamer restaurant, featuring winemaker Willi Stürz.

Today's Highlights – WINE IDEA NEWS

The news of November 4, 2026, highlights a changing Italian wine market. Consumers continue to choose wine, but their frequency of consumption, purchasing occasions, and price sensitivity are changing.

Sparkling wines and the Classic Method are outperforming the general market, while wineries are seeking new opportunities through premium wines, the promotion of historic grape varieties, sustainability, and wine tourism.

On the international front, France's difficulties and the centrality of the United States confirm the importance of diversifying markets and strengthening business competitiveness.

For Italian wineries, the priority is to transform quality, territorial identity, and production capacity into greater commercial value and profitability.

Press review from November 4, 2026, edited and summarized from the news provided, with duplicate content removed. Data and statements attributed to the sources cited in the original material, not independently verified.

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