Italy's wine sector hit by heatwave, Prosecco harvest at risk

A prolonged heatwave is stressing Italy's wine industry, especially the Prosecco region in the north near Austria. Winemaker Sandro Bottega warned that "the ongoing heat slows grape ripening and may prevent the typical aromas from fully developing," while Riccardo Cotarella, president of the Italian Oenologists Association, said the grapes are currently healthy and there is still time before harvest.

Experts link the stress to broader climate‑change challenges. The sector covers about 670,000 hectares and produces over 44 million hectolitres annually, making it one of the most vulnerable agricultural areas to extreme weather. Italy recorded nearly 380 extreme events last year, and a sustained two‑degree Celsius rise could render up to 90 % of low‑lying vineyards unsuitable for premium wine. The farmers' union is calling for better insurance against climate risks and investment in climate‑resilient vines. The heatwave also dries out rice fields in northern Italy and reduces milk output in livestock barns, adding to farmers' costs as they resort to fans and other measures to protect animals.