With an eye on the 2026 grape harvest, many Italian wine consortia are focusing on limiting harvest quantities. The background is still large stock levels and a tense trading situation. According to the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, as of May 31, 2026, around 49.1 million hectoliters of wine were in the cellars – more than an average annual yield. To better align supply and demand and to avoid further price declines, especially for bulk wines, numerous appellations are now reducing the permissible yields per hectare.

The Toscana IGT consortium has applied for a reduction of permissible yields by 20 percent. The planned yields are 13,600 kg/ha for white wines (instead of 17,000 kg) and 12,000 kg/ha for red wines (instead of 16,000 kg/ha). Similar steps have already been implemented or decided in renowned Tuscan appellations: Brunello di Montalcino is reduced to 7,000 kg/ha (from 8,000 kg), while the Chianti consortium has again requested a 20 percent reduction. The Chianti Classico consortium is also aiming for a reduction to 6,500 kg/ha (instead of 7,500 kg). No yield reductions are currently planned for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Bolgheri.

The trend continues in Veneto. The Valpolicella wine consortium had already decided on a reduction from 12,000 to 10,000 kg/ha for the period 2025–2027, with part of the quantity being callable if needed. For Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, the largest white wine appellation in Italy, a ceiling of 16,000 g/ha applies for 2026, including a quantity of 3,000 kg/ha that may only enter the market with the consortium's approval. The Soave consortium goes even further: For the next three vintages, the usable DOC area per operation will be effectively halved, accompanied by a yield reduction to 13,000 kg/ha for Soave and 12,000 kg/ha for Soave Classico.

In Piedmont, reductions are being made: The Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani consortium is reducing Langhe Nebbiolo and Barbera d’Alba to 9,000 kg/ha (-10 %), while Barolo and Barbaresco are currently not affected. The Barbera d’Asti appellation is lowering yields from 9,000 kg to 8,500 kg/ha and simultaneously significantly reducing the permissible surplus quantity, thereby lowering the effective production ceiling.

(ru – Image: Raffaella Usai)

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