Italian wine sector faces production dip, export slide and 60‑year Prosecco milestone

Italian wine production Moscato d'Asti yield wine export decline Donne del Vino restaurant pact Prior Prosecco anniversary

Italy’s wine industry is confronting a mixed outlook in 2025‑26. Valoritalia’s 2026 Annual Report notes a 2.1 % drop in bottlings for 2025, with a further 5.4 % decline in the first five months of 2026, especially among small producers, while white and sparkling wines show modest growth. The Piemonte regional council has confirmed that the maximum yield for Moscato d’Asti Docg will remain at 85 quintals per hectare for the 2026 harvest, aiming to balance production with market demand. Export data released by ISTAT and WineNews show wine generated a €7.2 billion trade surplus in 2025, accounting for almost half of Italy’s overall food‑and‑beverage surplus, but the first quarter of 2026 saw an 8.5 % fall in non‑EU sales, with the United States still posting a negative balance. Meanwhile, the association Donne del Vino is urging a new pact with restaurateurs, including a tax credit for featuring regional DOP wines on menus, to protect wine value and boost tourism. The Falstaff White Wine Party debuted in Rome, showcasing 54 producers from across Italy. Finally, Bortolomiol marked the 60th anniversary of its “Prior” Prosecco Brut, highlighting the historic shift to Brut style in Valdobbiadene.