WINE+ Italian Wine

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲 𝘃𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗼: 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

🗓 Update – January 2026

🍾 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 (𝟳𝟱𝟬 𝗺𝗹 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀)

- Champagne → 266 million bottles (-2% compared to 2024)
- Prosecco (DOC + DOCG) → 797 million bottles (+1.1% compared to 2024)

👉 Prosecco now produces almost three times more bottles than Champagne.

📉 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲: 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Champagne’s production continues to decline in volume, a trend that should not be misinterpreted. This trajectory reflects structural factors:

- tighter yield and supply management
- increasing production costs and climate pressure
- a long-term strategy focused on scarcity, price discipline, and brand equity

Historically, Champagne has generated a much higher total sales value than Prosecco, despite far lower volumes.

📈 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗼: 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

Prosecco continues to expand thanks to:

- competitive pricing
- informal consumption occasions
- strong global demand

The 2025 figures confirm that growth is still volume-led, with:

- DOC as the engine of scale (667 M btl)
- DOCG anchoring identity and quality perception (Conegliano Valdobbiadene 98 M + Asolo 32 M btl)

This dual structure remains central to Prosecco’s international success.

🧭 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀

The data confirm that Champagne and Prosecco are not moving in the same direction, nor do they follow the same economic logic.

- Champagne → prioritises value per bottle, controlled supply, and prestige
- Prosecco → prioritises reach, accessibility, and global volume

They are two different answers to different market needs.

❓𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱

As we look ahead, the comparison between Champagne and Prosecco is no longer about who produces more bottles — the numbers already speak for themselves.

The real question is how each appellation will protect and sustain its value while continuing along its own path: Champagne through controlled supply and prestige, Prosecco through scale, accessibility, and global reach.

Two different trajectories, two different strategies — and two very different definitions of success.

🔗 Read more on my blog: https://www.wineplusclub.com/is/2026/01/24/champagne-vs-prosecco-volumes-follow-different-trajectories-in-2025/

DID YOU KNOW?

𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝟯 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Italian wine by numbers – ranking

#3 → 🥉 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗱’𝗔𝗯𝗿𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗼 𝗗𝗢𝗖 → around 𝟭𝟬𝟲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 standard bottles (750 ml) produced in 2023

One of the largest Italian DOCs by volume and also one of the most exported Italian red wines worldwide. According to official data from the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo, about 800,000 hectoliters of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC were bottled in 2023, this equals roughly 106 million bottles (this figure refers to total DOC bottled production, not only exports).

#2 → 🥈 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘇𝗶𝗲 𝗗𝗢𝗖 → around 𝟮𝟯𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 standard bottles (750 ml)

The second largest Italian DOCs by volume and the reference denomination for Pinot Grigio worldwide. According to 2024 official data, around 230 million bottles of Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC are produced annually. It is an important export-driven denomination:
- Roughly 95% of total production is destined for international markets
- Accounts for about 43% of Italy’s total Pinot Grigio production
- Represents nearly 25% of all Italian white wine exports

#1 → 🥇 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗼 𝗗𝗢𝗖 → around 𝟲𝟲𝟳 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 standard bottles (750 ml) produced in 2025

The largest Italian wine appellation by volume and the most sold Italian wine in the world.
According to official data from the Consorzio di Tutela Prosecco DOC, total production reached 667 million bottles in 2025, with a growth of +1.1% vs 2024. It is a strongly export-driven denomination:
- Over 82% of total production is exported
- Present in 164 countries worldwide
- In value terms, Prosecco DOC generated about €3.6 billion, confirming its global leadership even in a challenging economic environment.

To put this number into perspective, here are the annual production volumes of some well-known Italian wine appellations (approximate figures, in million bottles):
- Asti DOCG: ~92 m
- Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG: ~92m
- Chianti DOCG: ~91 m
- Chianti Classico DOCG: ~30 m
- Primitivo di Manduria DOC: ~28 m
- Valpolicella DOC: ~19 m
- Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG: ~16 m
- Barolo DOCG: ~13 m
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG: ~9 m

Seen in this context, it becomes easier to understand the real scale of the TOP 3 wine appellations, even when compared with some of Italy’s most prestigious denominations.

Let’s discuss this in the comments below! 👇️

Read the full article at: https://www.wineplusclub.com/is/2026/01/21/top-3-largest-italian-wine-appelations/ 📎

Sources:
- https://www.vinitaly.com/magazine/il-modello-abruzzo-migliora-ancora-in-qualita-prossima-sfida-definire-le-sue-diverse-identita
- https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/01/is-pinot-grigio-delle-venezie-still-thriving/
- https://www.qualigeo.eu/prodotto-qualigeo/delle-venezie-dop
- https://www.proseccodoc.it
- https://www.winemeridian.com/news/prosecco-doc-2025dati-produzione-export-gennaio-2026/

𝗜𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴?

Has China truly lost its taste for wine, or is the market simply recalibrating? I’ve seen this chart many times in wine circles, and it raises some questions.

📉 According to OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) data, China’s wine consumption dropped from 1.9 billion litres in 2017 to 550 million litres in 2024: a massive decline of –71%. Wine production tells a similar story: down from 1.6 billion litres in 2013 to just 263 million in 2024.

🔍 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵?

Even a decade ago, many in the trade were already skeptical of China’s official production figures, pointing to things like inflated winery capacities, double-counting between provinces, or vineyard yields that didn’t match the statistical assumptions.

So maybe what we’re seeing now isn’t a dramatic collapse, but a statistical correction.

At the same time, wine imports have been rising over the years. That looks like a good sign of strong demand, but let’s not jump to conclusions. More bottles being imported doesn’t always mean more bottles being opened. In fact, overstocking remains a common practice in China.

My take? The market today is much smaller than during the boom years of the 2010s, no doubt. But it’s not disappearing. It’s simply evolving: more quality, more professionalism, less hype.

🗨️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸? 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲?

Let’s discuss this in the comments below! 👇️

Read the full article at: https://www.wineplusclub.com/is/2025/11/21/is-china-wine-market-really-collapsing/ 📎

𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝟮𝟭%

According to the Philippine government trade data, in the first half of 2025:

📈 Total wine imports (H1 2025):
▪️€ 17,7 million (USD 20,6 million)
▪️+21.2% in value vs. H1 2024
▪️+29% in volume vs H1 2024 (10,1 million litres)

🇮🇹 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝟴%:
▪️€ 𝟭.𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 (USD 1.665.339)
▪️+43% in value vs. H1 2024
▪️+34% in volume vs H1 2024 (767.633 litres)
▪️€ 1.9 per litre (USD 2.17)

🇺🇸 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁
Unlike many Asian markets where France or Australia lead, the Philippines’ largest wine supplier is the 🇺🇸 United States. In H1 2025, U.S. wine imports rose 56.9% in value to 𝗨𝗦$𝟲.𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻, marking a 26.7% share. Australia ranked second, and together they accounted for nearly half of the total market (a coincidence or geopolitics?).

𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀
🇵🇭 The Philippines shows strong potential: with 𝟭𝟭𝟲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 (more than Vietnam, Thailand or Malaysia) and strong tourism (led by Boracay), demand is expanding rapidly (+𝟮𝟭% in value in H1 2025). The market composition also looks healthy, with bottled wines making up 85% of imports, sparkling 13.7%, and bulk and other formats only 1.4%.

Challenges remain significant: stricter control over alcohol and rising excise taxes (Australia & New Zealand benefit from FTA). The average import price is around 𝗘𝗨𝗥 𝟭.𝟴𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗲, with 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗚𝗗𝗣 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗨𝗦𝗗 𝟰,𝟯𝟱𝟬 (lower than Vietnam and much lower than Thailand and Malaysia), so consumption stays concentrated in entry-level products. In H1 2025, total wine imports were just 𝟮.𝟲% 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻’𝘀 and about half of Malaysia’s (expansion opportunities exist, though starting from a tiny base).

𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙗𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮-𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨?

Let’s discuss this in the comments below! 👇️

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/ynswxb56

𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 -𝟯𝟬.𝟯% 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝟭 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

According to the latest data from the Department of Statistics of Malaysia, in the first half of 2025:

📉 Total wine imports (H1 2025):
▪️ € 31,6 million (MYR155,15 million)
▪️ -30.27% in value vs. H1 2024

🇮🇹 Italy is the 𝟰𝘁𝗵 largest exporter with a market share of 𝟳.𝟯%:
▪️ €𝟮,𝟯 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 (MYR 11.328 million)
▪️-19.4% in value vs. H1 2024

Of course, there are serious challenges: extremely high tariffs and religious sensitivities (with around 60% of the population being Muslim) continue to limit wider wine consumption.

Despite the sharp decline, 🇲🇾 Malaysia remains a market with potential. With almost 36 million people and a per capita GDP of about US$12,000, the purchasing power is significant. Tourism is a strong driver (visa-free entry for mainland Chinese visitors has boosted arrivals), while consumer tastes are evolving, and online sales continue to grow.

Could these long-term trends help balance today’s weak import figures?

Let’s discuss this in the comments below! 👇️

Read more: https://www.wineplusclub.com/is/2025/08/21/malaysia-wine-imports-decline-30-percent-in-h1-2025/

Source: Vino Joy News article - https://vino-joy.com/2025/08/14/malaysias-wine-imports-sink-30-in-h1-so-why-is-its-leading-importer-still-bullish/

𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝟮.𝟲% 𝗶𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲

According to the latest data from Japan’s Ministry of Finance, in the first half of 2025:

📉 Total wine imports (H1 2025):
▪️€ 𝟲𝟲𝟵 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 (JPY 115 billion)
▪️+𝟮.𝟲𝟭% in value vs. H1 2024
▪️-0.88% in volume vs H1 2024 (111.3 million litres)

Sparkling wine led the value increase, +12.8%, and now makes up over 62% of the value of bottled still wine imports. Interesting fact: Japan’s strong love for Champagne means French sparkling wine imports now surpass those of French still wine, a rare case on the global stage.

🇮🇹 Italy is the 2nd largest exporter with a market share of 12.3%:

▪️€ 𝟴𝟮.𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 (JPY 14.157 Billion)
▪️-1.11% in value vs. H1 2024
▪️-1.52% in volume vs H1 2024 (19.7 million litres)

Congratulations to the Japanese people 🇯🇵, despite the yen losing about 25–30% against USD and EUR since 2022 (the worst drop since the 1980s), their wine imports are still steady in H1 2025.

𝙄𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙨, 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧?

Let’s discuss this in the comments below! 👇️

[𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨: https://www.wineplusclub.com/is/2025/08/11/japan-wine-imports-rise-26-in-value/]

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 -𝟭𝟰% 𝗶𝗻 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲

According to the latest data from the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong SAR:

📉 Total wine imports:
• €334 million (HK$3.03 billion)
• -13.95% in value vs. H1 2024
• -21.9% in volume (12.56 million litres)

🇮🇹 Italy, the 5th largest exporter with a market share of almost 3%:
• €9.7 million (HK$88 million)
• -33.57% in value vs. H1 2024
• -14.15% in volume (1.1 million litres)

Both still and sparkling wines declined, with one exception: still wine in large formats (2–10 litres) saw a sharp increase:
• +𝟭𝟰𝟭.𝟰𝟲% YoY in value
(This segment remains marginal, accounting for just 0.39% of total bottled still wine imports)

These figures confirm a global market slowdown that has persisted since 2022.

𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙨 — 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧-𝙖𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙡 𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜?

Source: Vino Joy News [https://vino-joy.com/2025/08/04/chinese-wines-break-into-hong-kongs-top-10-for-first-time/]

Read more at https://www.wineplusclub.com/is/2025/08/04/hong-kong-wine-imports-drop-14-percent-in-value/

𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 📍 Singapore, 9th June 2025. We joined the @capannamontalcino Masterclass, presented by Federico Biondi and hosted by @dscellars Capanna is a 4th-generation, family-owned winery founded in 1957, known for its traditional approach to Brunello. Wines tasted: - Rosso del Cerro 2023 - Brunello di Montalcino 2020 - Brunello di Montalcino 2020 “Nicco” - Brunello di Montalcino 2019 - Brunello di Montalcino 2019 “Nicco” - Brunello di Montalcino 2018 - Sant’Antimo Rosso DOC 2021 - Moscadello di Montalcino 2024 #CapannaWinery #CapannaMontalcino #BrunelloDiMontalcino #WineTastingSingapore #Montalcino #ItalianWine #wineplus #wineplusitalian #italiansommeliers #wineeducator #wineambassador #brandambassadorpost

𝗜𝗦 𝗛𝗞 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗛𝗨𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗦?

📍 Singapore, 11th June 2025.

📰 After 17 years, Zachys Wine Auctions – the first major Western wine auction house to establish itself in Hong Kong following the 2008 tax reform – has officially exited the city.

Key facts:
- Zachys launched in 2008, the same year wine duties were abolished.
- It helped shape HK into a global fine wine marketplace.
- On May 9, 2025, the company held its final auction and discontinued local services, including wine storage.

Zachys’ retreat reflects a broader question: 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮? What’s your view?