As of January 31, 2025, Italian wineries held 57.5 million hectoliters of wine, 5.1 million hectoliters of musts and 534,447 hectoliters of new wine still in fermentation (VNAIF). Compared to January 31, 2024, there was a decrease in stocks for wines (-1.8%) and musts (-6.2%), while VNAIF showed a significant increase (117.0%). 58.6% of the wine was concentrated in the regions of Northern Italy, with Veneto in a predominant position. Furthermore, 54.7% of the wine held was classified as DOP, 26.7% as IGP, 1.2% as varietal wines and 17.4% as other wines. It is interesting to note that 20 denominations out of 526 contributed to 58.0% of the total stocks.
Performance of fine wines in Liv-ex indices
In January 2025, the main Liv-ex indices, the fine wine exchange, recorded negative signs. However, the Italy 100 showed a slight growth of 0.6%, demonstrating some resilience in the context of a generally bearish market. Super Tuscans were among the most traded wines, while Piedmont labels showed the best price performances compared to the previous month. In particular, trading activity on the Italy 100 in January 2025 compared to December 2024 was livelier, with a 12.3% increase in the number of trades, a 37% increase in the volume of wines traded and a 13.4% growth in value. winenews.it
Exports to the United States and fears of tariffs
In the last two months of 2024, Italian wine exports to the United States recorded a growth of 20% in volume and 21% in value compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase was attributed to the fear of possible American duties, which pushed US importers to bring forward orders. However, in the coming months, a contraction in demand could occur, regardless of the introduction of new tariffs, due to a decrease in domestic consumption in the United States, down 7% for the second consecutive year, with Italy recording a -4.4%.
Slow Food Philosophy in the Wine Sector
The Slow Food philosophy, which promotes "good, clean and fair" foods and wines, has taken on a central role in the dual "Sana Food" and "Slow Wine Fair" exhibition held in Bologna from 23 to 25 February 2025. The organic products market in Italy has reached a value of over 5 billion euros, with the organic wine sector representing 8.5% of total wine exports. In Italy, the organic vineyard area now represents 23% of the national vineyard, involving almost 30,000 operators.
US Market and Future Prospects
The US market continues to represent a guarantee for Italian wines, with exports to the US accounting for 29% of the total, for a value of 939 million euros in the first half of 2024. However, Italian producers face challenges related to variable regulations between states, possible duties and changes in consumer tastes, especially among young people who show less interest in wine.
Food and wine tourism on the rise
Food and wine tourism in Italy has seen significant growth, with 14.5 million potential food tourists. Wine is the most sought-after product, with 38.1% of preferences, followed by extra virgin olive oil (24%), pizza (22%), pasta (15%) and cheese (11%). This sector contributed over 40 billion euros to the Italian economy in 2023, of which 9.2 billion direct, 17.2 billion indirect and 13.7 billion in induced.
Sales in Large-Scale Retail Trade (GDO)
In 2024, the Italian wine market recorded a decline in volume sales in large-scale retail trade, with 436.4 million liters sold, marking a decrease of 3.4% compared to 2023. However, the overall value of sales remained stable at 1.9 billion euros, with an increase of 0.8%, mainly attributable to inflation. Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) and Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG) wines recorded a slight growth of 0.6% in value, reaching 1.05 billion euros. Supermarkets continued to dominate as the main distribution channel for wine in Italy, accounting for over 73% of sales in both volume and value.
Domain of DOP and IGP wines
The Italian wine sector is characterised by a predominance of DOP and IGP wines, which represent 54.7% and 26.7% of total stocks respectively. The regions of Northern Italy hold 58.6% of the stocks.
