The 2025 Italian grape harvest has officially begun, kicking off in mid-July with the first bunches cut in Sicily by Cantine Ermes.
Sicily, together with Franciacorta, led the way into the harvest phase at the start of August. According to the very first estimates by Coldiretti, the harvest is expected to reach 45 million hectolitres, with prospects of both good quantity and excellent quality. Wineries from Trentino-Alto Adige to Sicily report a near-total absence of vine diseases, a crucial factor supporting high-quality expectations.
Sparkling Wines Lead the Way
In Piedmont, the harvest for Alta Langa sparkling wines began just after mid-August. The Consortium, chaired by Giovanni Minetti, confirmed that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are “in excellent health, with a good balance between acidity and aromatic components.” Nearby, the Asti DOCG harvest has also started, with the Consortium led by Stefano Ricagno noting “an overall excellent year” for Moscato Bianco. However, market pressures remain challenging: yield reductions (from 100 to 90 quintals per hectare) have been introduced to safeguard the appellation, with US tariffs and declining Russian demand posing risks for exports.
DOC delle Venezie: Pinot Grigio and Innovation
In northeastern Italy, the DOC delle Venezie, the largest Italian DOC with 27,000 hectares of vineyards across Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Trentino, has launched its Pinot Grigio harvest. Consortium President Luca Rigotti highlighted innovation in low-alcohol wines, aligning with consumer demand for lighter, healthier options. Yield reductions (from 180 to 170 quintals per hectare) and storage limits have been set to stabilize the market.
Mountain Bubbles and Alto Adige Promise
Further north, the first grapes for Trentodoc arrived at wineries on August 19. Ferrari Trento expressed optimism for quality, while the Alto Adige Consortium, led by Andreas Kofler, confirmed early harvest conditions, excellent fruit health, and protection from hailstorms—supporting expectations of a balanced vintage.
Tuscany’s Strategic Adjustments
In Tuscany, harvest strategies differ across appellations:
- Bolgheri: no yield cuts, with production regulations unchanged.
- Brunello di Montalcino: yields reduced from 80 to 70 quintals (excluding the first hectare), balancing supply with international market pressures.
- Chianti Classico: yield cuts from 75 to 65 quintals, a unanimous decision to pre-empt future market instability.
- Montepulciano (Vino Nobile and Rosso): no yield cuts planned, with the denomination in balance.
- Chianti DOCG: yield cuts of 20% already confirmed for 2025.
Outlook for the 2025 Vintage
The 2025 harvest is shaping up to be one of Italy’s most promising in recent years. Healthy vines, early ripening, and stable weather patterns support excellent prospects for quality across sparkling, white, and red wine regions. At the same time, economic and geopolitical challenges—particularly US tariffs and shifting consumer behavior—are prompting many consortia to adopt strategic yield reductions to safeguard market stability and long-term value.
Italy thus enters the 2025 vintage season with confidence in the vineyards and caution in the markets—a dual approach that could define the year’s wines and their place on the global stage.
Source: WineNews