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Issue 735 - May 26th - 30th 2025 - Expressly created for 3705 wine lovers,
professionals and opinion leaders from all over the world | |
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| | | A celebration of great Italian wine, passing through a unique Italian excellence such as grappa, electing champions and symbols of that real culture (from Gaja to Tenuta San Guido, from Ferrari to Argiolas, from Elena Walch to Feudi di San Gregorio, to Nonino, and all the other names in more detail), the food and wine one, already celebrated in the 44 Forums on the Culture of Wine, the last of which in March 2025, with the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella: these are the “Oscar del Vino” of Bibenda, by Franco Ricci’s Italian Sommelier Foundation (Fis). | |
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| | The wine world expects a slightly growing 2025, despite a difficult and changing environment. According to the Mediobanca Study Area’s survey on the wine sector in Italy, the largest wine producers (255 major Italian corporations with 2023 sales of more than 20 million euros and aggregate revenues of 11.7 billion euros, 94.9% of the sector’s national turnover) expect overall sales growth of +1.7% in 2025 with exports up +2%. Optimism does not stop for bubbles (+4.4% estimated total revenues), especially across borders (+6.1% exports), while still wines expect +0.9% (+1.2% exports). The 2024 of the largest Italian wine producers closed without significant changes (+0.3% over 2023) with a greater increase in the foreign market (+0.7%). Down 2.5% in quantities sold in all channels; +4.1% in sparkling wines. On premise sales lose share: -4.9% on 2023 value of horeca reaching 17.6% of the market and -8.4% wine shops and wine bars (market share at 5.7%). Slight increase in direct sales (+1.3%), good in wine tourism (+9% over 2023). By turnover, the leadership in 2024 remains with the Cantine Riunite-Giv group (Gruppo Italiano Vini), with turnover at 676.6 million euros (+0.6% over 2023), ahead of Argea (464.2 million euros, +3.3%) and Italian Wine Brands (Iwb) with 401.9 million euros (-6.3% over 2023). Turnover 2024 above 300 million euros also for the Romagna-based cooperative Caviro (385.2 million), down 9% on 2023. Ten companies are in the range of revenues between 200 and 300 million euros: Antinori (2024 revenues of €261.6 million, up 7.4% on 2023), Cavit (€253.3 million, -5.2%), La Marca (€251 million, +11%), Herita Marzotto Wine Estates (€248.2 million, -2.8%), Collis (€219.3 million, +4.7%), Mezzacorona (212.3 million euros, -2.5%), Terre Cevico (211.3 million euros, +7.4%), Zonin 1821 (209.3 million euros, +7.8%), Mack & Schühle (205.6 million euros, +19.3%), Fratelli Martini (200.1 million euros, -8.3%). Looking at profitability, 2024 sees the Veneto-based Herita Marzotto Wine Estates leading the way (17.8%), followed by Antinori (12%) and Mionetto (9.2%) (in more detail). | |
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| | Less weight means less glass used and therefore lower energy costs to produce it. But also economic savings, and more. A theme, that of sustainable and lightweight packaging, increasingly central to the wine world, with many companies investing in it. “The trend is now incontrovertible: logistics are easier and wineries are also paying less tax based on the weight of the container”, explains Andrea Borghi, president of VetroLab, which has also produced, among others, Elena Walch’s new lightweight bottle for its “Linea Selezione”, in borgognotta format, available for wines from the 2024 vintage, which weighs 395 grams, 21% less than the initial weight of 500 gr. “A concrete step that testifies to our ongoing commitment to reducing our Co2 footprint and fully respecting the environment”, explained Karoline Walch. | |
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| | | First quarter (January-March) 2025 in trouble in the Italian off-trade channel for wine, which adds up to total sales of €732.2 million (-1.5% in value) and a quantity of 1.8 million hectoliters (-3.9%) for a price per liter that is on the rise and touches €4 (+2.5%). Sparkling wines, confirming a long-standing trend, are performing better than still wines. The Report Wine Monitor by Nomisma, based on NielsenIQ data, confirms for the first quarter of 2025 the difficulties the wine market is experiencing in the Italian off-trade channel (hyper, super, “superette”, discount stores, e-commerce and cash & carry). Total sales of still & sparkling wines speak of 564.72 million euros in value (-2.1%) and 1.56 million hectoliters (-4.3%) with the price per liter reaching 3.6 euros (+2.3%) in the first quarter of 2025. All sales channels are down, from hyper, super and lsp (-2%), to discount stores (-1.1%), e-commerce (-1.7%) and cash&carry with a “thud” of -9.6%. Also in the “red” are the quantitative data (-4.5% for hyper, super and lsp). Sales of sparkling wines in the off trade (January-March 2025) generated 167.4 million euros and remain in positive territory (+0.5%), but volumes fell to 244.9 (-1.2%) for an average price at 6.84 euros (+1.7%). | |
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| | | Rocca Sveva (Cadis 1898), La Gioiosa (of the Villa Sandi group), Bisol 1542 (of the Lunelli group), Silvio Carta, G.D. Vajra, Centinari, Capezzana, Ornella Molon, Vigna Traverso, La Canosa, Martini & Rossi, Cooperativa San Nicola, and Asda (a British grocery chain, with a private label of Gavi: ed.): these are Italy’s 14 gold medals (and 332 in total) in the “International Wine Challenge” in London, edition no. 41, and which gave awards to producers from 36 countries around the world, selected by an international jury of nearly 250 experts. | |
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| | The phenomenon of urban vineyards is growing worldwide, with 157 vineyards located within the municipal boundaries of large cities in 35 countries, covering more than 600 hectares. Specifically in Europe there are 108 urban vineyards surveyed, with Italy being the country with the highest number of urban vineyards (32), identified in 15 different cities. The Italian city with the highest number of urban vineyards surveyed is Venice with 7 vineyards, followed by Rome with 4 and Bolzano with 3. Naples, Milan and Catania, on the other hand, have 2 urban vineyards. At the European level, the city with the most “vineyards” is Prague, with as many as 15 urban vineyards. These are the numbers from the first “World Urban Vineyards Atlas”, a study on the phenomenon of urban vineyards in the world presented by the Urban Vineyards Association (Uva). | |
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| | The best Vermentino in Italy comes from Sardinia: Cantina Siddùra’s Bèru 2022 won first place and the Grand Gold Medal at the National Wine Competition 2025, edition no. 4, dedicated to one of the most beloved white grape varieties ever. And which, in view of summer, is ready to live its golden moment, between Tuscany and Liguria, passing through Sardinia and Apulia, in its elective terroirs between the sea and the coast. In second place is Calevro’s Vermentino Candia dei Colli Apuani, followed by Tenute Delogu’s Vermentino di Sardegna Oghe. | |
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