Tuscany, celebrated for reds like Chianti Classico and Brunello, is preparing to officially include sparkling wines under the Toscana IGT label. The National Wine Committee approved the step on 17 March, following the Regional Council’s 2024 decision. They now await final European Commission approval. Under the new ruling, producers will be able to make white and rosé sparkling wines using traditional (Metodo Classico) or tank (Charmat) methods. The move also standardises labelling to “Toscana” strengthening brand recognition.

Cesare Cecchi, president of Consorzio Vino Toscana, called the change historic, highlighting the growth in consortium membership and evolving market preferences. Stefano Campatelli, director, noted many producers already craft sparkling wines, and formal recognition will expand development opportunities while reinforcing Tuscany’s reputation for quality.

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Italy has lifted its long-standing ban on domestic de-alcoholised wine production, paving the way for wineries to process wines at home for the first time. The move promises lower costs, greener logistics, and fresh opportunities in a fast-growing category.

Italian producers are preparing to bring de-alcoholisation in-house following a late-2025 decree expected to be fully implemented by the end of March. Until now, wineries had to ship wines to countries such as Germany and Belgium, adding cost and carbon miles.

The new rules set out different requirements for small and large producers, with all activity conducted under a tax warehouse regime and appropriate licensing. Approved techniques include vacuum evaporation, spinning cone columns and reverse osmosis.

Industry figures say the change reflects rising global demand for low- and no-alcohol options. Producers believe domestic processing will boost competitiveness while reducing environmental impact and expanding consumer choice without threatening traditional wine styles.

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California has recorded its smallest grape harvest in decades, but Europe is retrenching too, with vineyard areas shrinking across France, Germany and Switzerland as producers respond to falling demand and rising costs.

France is taking the most dramatic action, with plans to uproot nearly 28,000 hectares of vines under a €130 million government scheme. Much of the reduction is focused on red varieties in regions such as Occitanie and Bordeaux, where shifting consumer tastes and declining sales have hit growers hardest. Around a third of applicants intend to leave the industry entirely, while others are scaling back to more commercially viable plots.

In Germany, Baden-Württemberg’s vineyard area fell 3% in 2025, with growers abandoning unprofitable land. Switzerland faces similar pressures, with up to 10% of vineyards at risk despite a strong harvest, as weak sales and rising inventories force difficult decisions.

The latest California Preliminary Grape Crush Report shows that the 2025 wine grape harvest was notably smaller than recent years. Total crushed tonnage in California was around 2.7 million tons, down about 6% from 2024 and the lowest in over two decades. Red grape tonnage fell more sharply than white, reflecting shifting consumer preferences.

According to the report, lower domestic wine consumption and high bulk inventories continue to challenge growers and wineries alike, prompting vineyard removals and cautious optimism about future market stability.

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Italian wine exports dipped 3.7% in 2025 to €7.7 billion, following a record year, as global market shifts hit major destinations. Volumes fell to 2.1 billion litres, with sparkling wines performing slightly better in volume but down in value.

The United States saw the sharpest decline, with exports down 9.1% in value and 6.2% in volume. European markets were mixed: Germany held steady in value but dropped 3.2% in volume, while the UK fell 3.8% by value. France and the Netherlands bucked the trend, with notable gains of 3.4% and 5.5% respectively.

Regionally, Veneto remained Italy’s top exporting area at €2.92 billion, followed by Tuscany (€1.17 billion), and Piedmont (€1.15 billion). Overall, Italian producers face a €300 million loss amid continued global challenges.

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The US wine scene saw a sharp drop in 2025, with the total number of wineries falling 3%, averaging almost one closure every day, as smaller producers struggled to stay afloat.

According to Wine Business Monthly, the US had 11,107 wineries at the start of 2026, down from 11,450 the previous year. Closures affected nearly every state, with California seeing the largest reduction and Missouri maintaining its 253 wineries. Pennsylvania recorded the smallest decline, dropping by just one.

Industry analysts point to rising costs, shifting consumer demand, and intense competition from large-scale producers as key pressures driving the decline. While major companies like Gallo continue to dominate production, smaller wineries face mounting challenges to survive, signalling further consolidation in the coming years.

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National Wine Careers Week will return to Lewes this May, aiming to highlight the wide range of jobs in the growing UK wine industry. Organisers hope the event will inspire newcomers and help meet rising demand for skilled workers across the sector.

The week-long initiative, running from 9–16 May, was founded by Plumpton College and Nyetimber with support from Wine & Spirit Education Trust and WineGB. It aims to showcase career opportunities across viticulture, winemaking, logistics, marketing and hospitality as the UK wine sector continues to expand.

Despite economic pressures such as declining consumption and higher excise duties, the British wine industry has grown strongly in recent years. WineGB estimates the UK wine sector contributes around £8.9 billion to the UK economy and supports more than 400,000 jobs, while the domestic UK wine industry employs 3,300 full-time equivalent roles and create 13,000 seasonal jobs per year. Vineyard area has tripled over the past decade as English and Welsh wines, particularly sparkling styles, gain increasing attention from critics and consumers.

Events during the week will take place both online and in-person, with industry ambassadors sharing career stories and practical advice on entering the trade.

Further information can be found at www.winecareersweek.co.uk
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