Wine press review for Wednesday, September 9, 2026!

Good morning,

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

ITALIAN WINERIES

Pasetti harvests its first Pinot Noir at nearly 1,000 meters. In Abruzzo, the Pasetti winery has begun the first harvest of Pinot Noir grown in Forca di Penne, at nearly 1,000 meters above sea level. The project stems from the need to adapt viticulture to climate change and focuses on higher altitudes to preserve the quality and balance of the grapes. The winery also emphasizes the importance of production planning to avoid surpluses and unsold wine.

Montefalco grows 5.2% on the Italian market. The Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, Montefalco DOC, and Spoleto DOC denominations recorded 5.2% growth on the domestic market in the first half of 2026, reaching nearly 1.079 million equivalent bottles. This result is particularly significant considering that, in the same period, still and sparkling wines in Italian retail chains lost 3.4% in volume. Pizzolato Winery: Over 90% of plastic packaging recycled. The collaboration between Pizzolato Winery and Aliplast has enabled 91.7% of the plastic waste produced by the Treviso-based winery to be recycled. In 2025, nearly 20,000 kg of plastic film was recovered, subsequently transformed into new raw material and reintroduced into production cycles. Cantina Tollo supports the protection of the Marsican brown bear. Cantina Tollo Group supports the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park in a project to protect the Marsican brown bear. The cooperative will contribute to the purchase and regeneration of satellite collars used to monitor the animals, also linking the initiative to its Animaletti organic wine line. Cantina Contini brings Sardinia to New York. The historic Cantina Contini of Cabras participates in a major New York event dedicated to Italian wine, presenting Tyrsos Vermentino di Sardegna and Tonaghe Cannonau di Sardegna. This represents an opportunity to strengthen its presence in the United States by focusing on the recognition of the appellations and the Sardinian territorial identity. Pio Cesare: 145 Years and a Completely Renovated Winery. After four years of renovations, Pio Cesare celebrates 145 years of history with a major reorganization of its Alba headquarters. The space now exceeds 9,000 square meters and has more than doubled in size, without currently increasing production volumes. The project integrates the historic cellar with new spaces and contemporary technologies. The Manetti Family: 50 Years in the Conca d'Oro of Chianti Classico. For over half a century, the Manetti family has been developing its winemaking project in Panzano, in the Conca d'Oro of Chianti Classico. Research, sustainability, attention to the countryside, and innovation in production processes are the core elements of a business deeply rooted in the local area. Barzagli and Binotto choose the slow pace of the vineyard. Andrea Barzagli and Mattia Binotto have transformed their passion for wine into entrepreneurial projects rooted in the local area. Barzagli is involved with Le Casematte in the DOC Faro area of Sicily, while Binotto has developed the Eleusi project in Trentino, dedicated to high-altitude viticulture.

ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY

Istat: Wine among the most resilient Italian agricultural products. Between 2006 and 2025, the Italian wine sector demonstrated remarkable resilience. The area devoted to wine grapes decreased by 2.7%, while production fell by just 2.1% and the average yield per hectare increased slightly. This stability distinguishes wine from many other agricultural sectors.

Boscaini: "We produce with regulations designed for a market that no longer exists." Sandro Boscaini, president of Masi Agricola, emphasizes the need to update production regulations in light of climate change and changing consumer preferences. The sector must simultaneously address the issue of supply-demand balance, the shift of vineyards to higher altitudes, and the growing demand for lighter whites and reds. Harvest 2026: Heat Changes Timing and Vineyard Work. In the Pontine Marshes, high temperatures are bringing the harvest forward by several weeks. Harvests are increasingly being carried out in the early morning or at night, and new techniques are being adopted to protect the grapes from the heat. Climate change is therefore altering not only the harvest calendar, but also wineries' production strategies. Italian Wine 2026: Fluctuating Markets, Stability the Goal. Italian wine producers and managers describe a complex 2026, characterized by over-availability, inflation, changing consumption habits, and geopolitical tensions. Companies are looking to the final part of the year with a focus on market stabilization, hospitality, brand enhancement, and preparation for 2027. Puglia: 4.28 million hectoliters still in cellars. Coldiretti Puglia is calling for an extraordinary plan for the regional wine sector. 4.286 million hectoliters from the previous year remain in cellars, while the 2026 harvest is estimated to grow by 10%. The request focuses on inventory management, vineyard areas, and the market's capacity to absorb production. Ganzega in Trentino: the value of traditional agricultural collaboration recognized. The traditional occasional and unpaid help provided by family, friends, and neighbors during the grape harvest is once again at the center of the debate. The Chamber of Commerce has included the "Ganzega" among the customs of great territorial importance, recognizing its historical, identity-building, and social value for Trentino agriculture. Valtènesi: The quality of Garda rosés is growing. Valtènesi consolidates its position among Italy's most renowned rosé regions. According to Gambero Rosso, the appellation continues to grow in quality, stylistic precision, and ability to showcase the region's finest grapes, also earning significant recognition in national guides. "L'Eroico" from the Costa Viola wins the Gran Medaglia d'Oro . The Zibibbo "L'Eroico" from the Cooperativa della Costa Viola of Bagnara Calabra won the Gran Medaglia d'Oro at the 2026 Mondial des Vins Extrêmes with a score above 93. This is an important recognition for the heroic viticulture of the terraced vineyards overlooking the sea.

INTERNATIONAL

Africa: A Challenging Market with Growth Prospects for Wine. Sub-Saharan Africa remains a niche market for Italian wine, but it offers attractive medium- to long-term prospects, also supported by a growing young population. Overall alcoholic beverage volumes are expected to increase by 1% in 2025, and IWSR forecasts average annual growth of 2% between 2025 and 2035. Chianti, Vinitaly, and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) are also increasing promotional activities on the continent.

France: €88 million to promote wine in non-EU markets . FranceAgriMer is making €88 million available to support the promotion of French wines in non-EU markets. The funds will fund advertising, public relations, participation in international trade fairs, information campaigns, and research into new markets through 2027. Chianti DOCG sets its sights on Japan and China. From September 14th to 20th, the Chianti Wine Consortium will host tastings and events in 15 restaurants in Tokyo and Shenzhen. The goal is to strengthen the denomination's positioning in key Asian markets through pairings of Italian wine and fine dining.

WINE EVENTS AND WINE TOURISM

Vendemmia Sociale: Wine and Solidarity in the Treviso Area. The first stage of the ninth annual Vendemmia Sociale took place in San Polo di Piave. The initiative, promoted by Antonio Facchin Wines, Tenuta Amadio, and Zeta Group, involved numerous volunteer grape harvesters in support of LILT Treviso, uniting the harvest, folk traditions, local area, and solidarity.

Garda DOC celebrates 30 years at Festivaletteratura. From September 9th to 13th, the Garda DOC Consortium will participate in Mantua's Festivaletteratura for the tenth consecutive year as a partner and "Vino del Festival." In 2026, the denomination's thirtieth anniversary coincides with the thirtieth edition of the event, strengthening the relationship between wine, culture, and territory. Panicale reflects on the future of local grape varieties. At the Panicale Grape Festival, discussions focused on the future role of local grape varieties, the wine crisis, and the effects of climate change. Among the key topics were the early harvest and the need to adapt viticulture to new environmental conditions. Mesagne: "Day at the Cellar" on November 27. The Mesagne Pro Loco is organizing a day at the Bellamarina Winery dedicated to promoting local food, wine, and wine production, scheduled for Friday, November 27, 2026. Franciacorta: Country Chic Weekend at the Winery. Starting September 18, Cantina I Barisèi offers a program dedicated to wine tourism, including sunset aperitifs, production tours, Franciacorta tastings, a harvest dinner, live music, and Sunday brunch. This program demonstrates how the winery experience is becoming an integral part of the commercial promotion of wine. Agritourism and Direct Sales: The Parma Countryside Model. Just outside Parma, Agricola La Bergamina integrates catering, agricultural production, and direct sales, establishing itself in an area where a biodistrict covering approximately 100,000 hectares was established in 2024. This model combines agriculture, gastronomy, and direct contact with consumers.

SIGNAL OF THE DAY

The September 9th event sends a rather clear message: wine is entering a phase in which producing well is no longer enough .

High inventories, unstable markets, and changing consumer habits require greater planning. At the same time, climate and early harvests are changing vineyards and regulations, while the most dynamic companies are seeking value through new markets, sustainability, terroir, wine tourism, and brand positioning .

Signals from Africa and Asia point to opportunities yet to be developed, while French support for exports demonstrates how international competition increasingly hinges on the ability to work collaboratively. In Italy, the structural resilience of the vineyard remains a strength, but the balance between production, demand, and value will be one of the key issues in the coming years .

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