November 2025 presented an image of a wine sector undergoing structural changes, market tensions, and strategic reflections looking toward the medium-to-long term. Between sustainability, new regulatory frameworks, evolving consumption, and the political choices of denominations, Italian and international wine experienced a month full of signals, often contradictory, yet indicative of the current phase.
GLOBAL SCENARIOS AND SYSTEMIC VISIONS
A long-term perspective characterized many of the analyses that emerged during the month. Champagne outlined its “Road to 2050,” placing sustainability and innovation at the core of the denomination’s future. In parallel, Assoenologi turned the spotlight on the evolution of consumption, including low and no-alcohol wines, which has now become a structural theme in the international debate.
In Europe, Federvini welcomed the European Union’s progress on the Wine Package, emphasizing the value of regulatory simplifications and support measures for the sector. A complex scenario also emerges from Burgundy, where the sector is squeezed between falling consumption and new regulatory pressures. Meanwhile, in Germany, the 2025 vintage shows high-profile Pinot Noir quality, despite irregular yields across the 13 wine-growing regions.
FAIRS, EVENTS, AND INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE
November was also the month of major events. The Cava Meeting 2025 brought the Spanish traditional method back to center stage, celebrating the figure of the Elaborador Integral, the Iberian equivalent of the French Récoltant-Manipulant. A discussion that once again highlighted the lights and shadows of a denomination that remains its own blessing and curse.
In Montalcino, Benvenuto Brunello 2025 consecrated the 2021 vintage, with the publication of scores for the best Brunellos and signs of recovery in bottling figures over the last two months. On the wine competition front, the Concours des Grands Vins du Monde in Mâcon 2025 offered a contradictory and undoubtedly questionable overview: Winemag revealed its inner workings, shedding light on some concerning dynamics governing certain wine competitions.
Identity and international comparison were also present at Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025, where Vinitaly asserted the leadership of Made in Italy. In Paris, the Espace Pro reinforced the role of the Salon des Vignerons Indépendants as a meeting point for industry professionals. A good idea for FIVI, the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers, which could replicate the model in Italy.
DENOMINATIONS, CONSORTIA, AND TERRITORIES
Many themes were linked to denominations. Chianti announced a strategic turning point: the end of Gran Selezione and the birth of Rosé DOCG, a choice destined to spark debate. In Montefalco, the Spoleto DOC area was expanded, bringing the territory even closer to Trebbiano Spoletino.
In Sicily, the Consorzio Vini Valdinoto set the creation of a single DOC as its goal, while in South Tyrol, Santa Maddalena is once again questioning its positioning in the Italian market, amid history, prospects, and limitations recounted by Cantina Bolzano. In Piedmont, the Viticultural Technical Committee was established to face the climate challenge, a sign of growing institutional attention to the issue.
There is no shortage of international cases. In Argentina, the “San Gimignano” brand linked to Vernaccia was cancelled. In Collio, wineries are dealing with the consequences of a natural disaster, setting up a bank account for fundraising for extraordinary weather interventions.
COMPANIES, PEOPLE, AND CONTROVERSIES
The month also saw significant corporate movements. Cantine Pellegrino launched a high-profile collaboration with Pietro Russo MW. Cavit approved its 2024/2025 financial statements, completing the divestment of Casa Girelli. Colomba Bianca recorded a +30% increase in bottling in 2025, raising questions about industrial sustainability and the market.
In Oltrepò, an exclusive interview given to Winemag by Andrea Giorgi is causing a stir: “At Terre, they pushed me out. I was inconvenient.” The topic of sea-aged wines met with criticism and rejection from Riccardo Cotarella, who defined them as “like natural wines, out of place gimmicks.”
NEWS, MARKET, AND IMAGERY
November was also a month of symbolic episodes. Jannik Sinner’s victory, celebrated with a “Champagne shower,” triggered a reaction from the Asti Consortium, reopening the debate on the improper use of denominations. In the Balkans, the region’s best rosé was awarded in Albania, a sign of a growing and increasingly observed area.
The month closed with a look toward Bordeaux, with Italy pushing for French investments through an interview with Vittorio Frescobaldi (Crus et Domaines de France – GCF), and the story of a FIVI Market 2025 where the passion of independent winemakers goes beyond the numbers.
A complex November, made of strategies, tensions, and opposing visions, which presents an image of a sector called to redefine priorities and languages. Between market, identity, and sustainability.
NOVEMBER 2025 WITH WINEMAG
- Champagne Road to 2050: sustainability and innovation are the watchwords
- Santa Maddalena on the Italian market: history, prospects, and limitations
- Cantine Pellegrino and Pietro Russo MW: a collaboration of excellence
- Federvini: “EU step forward for the Wine Package, simplifications and support for the sector”
- Assoenologi analyzes the future of wine between Low and No-Alcohol
- Cava Meeting 2025: the three-day event for the Spanish traditional method
- Cava Meeting 2025 celebrates Elaborador Integral, the Spanish Récoltant-Manipulants
- Oltrepò, hear from Andrea Giorgi: “At Terre, they pushed me out. I was inconvenient”
- Chianti changes strategy: out with “Gran Selezione,” in with Rosé DOCG
- Spanish Cava, its own blessing and curse, toasts at the 2025 Meeting
- 2025 Vintage in Germany: Pinots in great form but fluctuating yields across the 13 wine regions
- Concours des Grands Vins du Monde in Macon: what no one will tell you
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano: “San Gimignano” brand cancelled in Argentina
- Wines aged at sea, Cotarella: “Like natural wines, misplaced finds”
- Benvenuto Brunello 2025 in Montalcino: 2021 vintage takes center stage
- Sinner wins: “Champagne shower.” Asti Consortium furious
- Burgundy: the wine sector squeezed between falling consumption and regulatory pressures
- Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025: Vinitaly toasts to Made in Italy leadership
- Espace Pro, the space for professionals at the Salon Vigneron Indépendants
- Montefalco closer to Trebbiano Spoletino: Spoleto DOC area expanded
- FIVI Market 2025: when passion goes beyond numbers
- Brunello di Montalcino: recovery in bottling over the last two months
- Piedmont, the Viticultural Technical Committee is born for the climate challenge
- Consorzio Vini Valdinoto: “Goal is a single DOC”
- Best Brunello di Montalcino 2021: Scores from Benvenuto Brunello 2025
- The best rosé in the Balkans is Albanian
- Cavit approves 2024/2025 financial statements: divestment of Casa Girelli completed
- The Colomba Bianca case: +30% bottling in 2025
- Bank account for Collio wineries after the disaster (photo gallery)
- Italy pushes Bordeaux: interview with Vittorio Frescobaldi (Crus et Domaines de France – GCF)
