Wine press review for Wednesday, October 14, 2026!

Good morning,

News from Italian wineries, wine, oenology, international markets and events

In focus: the Grande Franciacorta project, the slowdown in global exports, European anti-crisis measures, the future of Italian vineyards, and wineries' strategies for navigating a changing market.

1. Italian wineries: companies, investments, and innovation

Franciacorta – Muratori is targeting €5 million in revenue. The Adro winery expects to reach €5 million in revenue by 2026, with 380,000 bottles sold and a 4% growth rate. The Ho.Re.Ca. channel accounts for 60% of sales, while exports account for 15%. The 2021 Franciacorta Extra Brut Millè earned Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri 2027 award. The winery has 60 hectares of vineyards.

Friuli – Cantina Rauscedo is rethinking production based on the market. To mark its 75th anniversary, the cooperative hosted the conference "Common Roots, New Challenges," dedicated to the future of Italian wine. The discussions focused on declining consumption, changing consumer behavior, sustainability, and the need to plan production based on demand.

Gavi – Villa Sparina and the promotion of great white wines. The Moccagatta family continues the project begun in 1994, focusing on the longevity of Gavi, winemaking innovation, and brand identity. This approach is also supported by the work of winemaker Beppe Caviola and a distinctive bottle design.

Langhe – Michela Adriano presents "MA," the red wine made from secret grape varieties. Debuting on October 16th in Neive, this wine doesn't disclose the varietals used in the blend. The goal is to attract new consumers, especially young ones, prioritizing the pleasure of tasting over technical expertise.

Valpolicella – Tommasi is showcasing historic Amarone vintages. The "Family Library" is launched, a collection bringing together the 2012, 2017, and 2022 vintages of Amarone Classico DOCG. The project complements the conservation initiatives for older vintages promoted by Bertani, Tedeschi, and Zenato, strengthening the wine's historical and collectible value.

Alto Adige – Cantina Bozen celebrates 40 years of Huck am Bach. The cooperative celebrates the Sankt Magdalener, produced since 1986, with a commemorative label. This acknowledges the wine's continued production and its commitment to the Bolzano region.

Trentino – Casa Pisoni presents the 2020 Riserva Extra Brut 60 months. A new Trentodoc Blanc de Blancs made from Chardonnay from the Valle dei Laghi, aged on the lees for 60 months. The 2020 vintage, disgorged in June 2026, expands the company's reserve line.

Irpinia – Passo delle Tortore inaugurates its winery in Pietradefusi. The company, led by the De Girolamo sisters and Ilaria Facchiano, opens its doors to the public with a project that combines winemaking, family tradition, gastronomy, and local heritage.

Tuscany – Tenute del Cerro introduces tastings with BrainArt. At Fattoria del Cerro in Montepulciano, devices that detect brain activity transform the tasting experience into personalized visual compositions. The initiative is artistic and experiential, not diagnostic or scientific.

Valpolicella – Masi Monteleone21 awarded for wine tourism. The Masi hospitality center won the Best of Wine Tourism 2027 award in the Food and Wine Experiences category. This recognition recognizes the Wine First model, which places wine at the center of the gastronomic and tourism offerings.

2. Italian wine and oenology: market, harvest, and prospects

Lombardy – A "Grande Franciacorta" is proposed. A study by Michele Antonio Fino and Carmine Garzia of the University of Gastronomic Sciences proposes a new umbrella designation, based on voluntary participation, for Lombardy's classic method sparkling wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The idea aims to foster sustainable growth by creating potential synergies between Franciacorta and Oltrepò Pavese. This is a research proposal, not an existing designation.

Trentino – The 2026 harvest yields fewer grapes, but promising quality. The harvest concluded with generally lower yields than in 2025, with differences among production zones. According to CIA Trentino, the grape quality appears good. The progressive advancement of the harvest, which in some areas began before mid-August, confirms the impact of weather conditions on production decisions.

Friuli Venezia Giulia – Rauscedo produces approximately 95 million vine cuttings annually. The San Giorgio della Richinvelda nursery district represents one of the world's leading centers for vine propagation, with an estimated production equal to approximately 80% of Italy's total and a third of the world's.

Italian Vineyards – Nursery growers are calling for investment instead of uprooting. MIVA and the FVG Vineyard Nursery Association are proposing a national vineyard renewal program, prioritizing reconversion, production efficiency, and climate adaptation over incentives for permanent reductions in vineyard area. This position is part of the debate over production surpluses and declining consumption.

European Union – Three tools to address the wine crisis. EU Regulation 2026/2093, according to the information reported, governs national interventions for crisis distillation, green harvesting, and voluntary grubbing-up. Aid is linked to market conditions such as increased stocks, lower prices, and declining sales. The measures provide compensation and incentives within specific limits, subject to applicable conditions.

Irpinia – Fiano, Greco, and Taurasi are the stars of the 2027 Tre Bicchieri awards. Eleven Irpinia wines received awards out of the 21 Campania wines: seven Fiano di Avellino, two Greco di Tufo, and two Taurasi. The longevity of the white wines, the lengthened aging process, and the pursuit of greater freshness in the Aglianico-based reds stand out.

Langhe – Caritas reports serious problems in seasonal work. According to Caritas Alba, the 2026 harvest revealed worrying conditions for many workers: irregular wages, precarious accommodations, and alleged contractual violations. Reported figures include approximately 6,000 seasonal workers, 16 makeshift settlements, and 4,500 meals distributed. A coordinated intervention by the institutions is required.

Cellar Security – The Antinori theft rekindles the spotlight on inventory protection. Following the theft of fine wines from the Cortona logistics hub, reportedly worth approximately €5 million, the issue of warehouse security has once again become a central theme. Beyond the financial damage, the loss of non-replicable vintages can jeopardize supplies, business relationships, and brand positioning.

Wines for Aging – Rediscovering the Value of Waiting. A cultural reflection highlights the importance of time in the development of great reds. In a market geared toward immediate consumption, preservation, maturation, and patience remain the hallmarks of long-lived wines.

3. International market and world viticulture

Global exports – Sharp slowdown in first half of 2026. According to Trade Data Monitor data analyzed by the Spanish Interprofessional Wine Organization, global exports are down 5.1% in value and 8.1% in volume compared to the first half of 2025.

WORLD WINE TRADE – JANUARY/JUNE 2026

Export value

€15.8 billion

-5.1%

Export volume

4.2 billion liters

-8.1%

Packaged wine recorded a 6.1% drop in value, to 10.63 billion euros, and a 5.3% drop in volume, to 2.24 billion litres.

Data source: Trade Data Monitor / OIVE, according to the news provided.

China – The 47th OIV World Congress looks to the future of wine. In Yinchuan, Ningxia, the International Organization of Vine and Wine Congress brings together international experts and researchers until October 16. The program includes 420 scientific papers dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and transformation in the sector. China is strengthening its role in global wine research and production.

Republic of San Marino – Fortieth anniversary of the Identification of Origin mark. The San Marino wine industry is celebrating the anniversary of the "San Marino" mark with a conference on October 17th in Domagnano, dedicated to the history of local production and future prospects.

4. Wine events, territories and wine tourism

The main events and itineraries for autumn 2026.

16

October

Neive (CN) – Presentation of the “MA” wine

Michela Adriano's new red wine debuts at Bottega dei Quattro Vini, designed for tastings free from the constraints of varietal information.

17

October

Domagnano – 40 Years of San Marino Wine

Public conference at 9:00 a.m. in the Montelupo Hall, dedicated to the Identification of Origin mark.

18

October

Milan – Barbera d'Asti Wine Festival

At The Westin Palace Hotel, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, tastings and meetings with producers of the Monferrato denominations.

7–8

November

Milis (OR) – 37th Sardinian Wine Festival

Around 20 wineries and 50 labels, featuring new wines, organic wines, and Vernaccia di Oristano. Tastings, talks, food, and crafts are also planned.

Valtellina – Autumn amidst Nebbiolo, terraced vineyards, and gastronomy. The vineyard landscapes of the Lombardy valley become a destination for slow tourism, with foliage, historic homes, Chiuro wineries, dry stone walls, and local specialties like pizzoccheri.

Piedmont and Tuscany – The foliage highlights the wine regions. Langhe, Roero, Monferrato, and Chianti offer autumn itineraries through vineyards, villages, wineries, and tastings. An opportunity to strengthen the connection between wine production and experiential tourism.

Alto Adige – Wine & Bike and Törggelen on the Wine Road. In Caldaro and the surrounding areas, bike tours, winery tours, and tastings complement the autumnal tradition of Törggelen, featuring new wines and country cuisine until November.

5. The industry picture: what emerges from today's news

The October 14 review highlights five themes that deserve attention from producers, entrepreneurs, and investors:

• Shrinking markets: Declining global exports require greater attention to pricing, distribution, and profitability.
• Rethinking production: comparing uprooting and vineyard conversion highlights the need for long-term industrial strategies.
• Commercial innovation: Cantina Rauscedo, Villa Sparina, and other companies demonstrate the importance of connecting product, market, and identity.
• Heritage valorization: older vintages, long-lived wines, wine tourism, and new cellar experiences can create development opportunities.
• Economic and social sustainability: worker protection, inventory security, and climate adaptation are becoming increasingly important aspects of corporate management.

The WINE IDEA perspective – FORBUS

The winemaking sector is going through a phase in which simply producing quality wines is no longer enough. It's necessary to understand the markets, control costs, enhance company assets, and identify new business and investment opportunities.

For wineries and wineries, future value will increasingly depend on the ability to integrate production, organization, distribution, and strategic vision.

FORBUS's reflection

The wine market is changing, and not all companies are facing this transformation in the same way. For some, the priority is strengthening their sales structure; for others, investing, finding new partners, or preparing for a generational transition.

Before deciding whether to sell, acquire, or develop a winery, it is essential to understand its current value and, above all, its untapped value.

FORBUS supports entrepreneurs and investors in the evaluation, development, management, and sale of wineries, wineries, and beverage businesses.

Further information: FORBUS · Wines and Wine · Agricultural Estates 24

WINE NEWS – October 13, 2026

A wine press review compiled from collected news, with editorial summaries and reorganization for clear reading and improved indexing by search engines and artificial intelligence systems.

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

See you tomorrow with the latest news on Italian and international wine.