Harvest 2026, data will be only the official one of company declarations (WineNews rumors)

From “September Impressions”, to quote the Italian progressive rock band Pfm, to “December”, borrowing the title of a song by singer-songwriter Giorgia: such is the fate of Italy official harvest figures. According to what WineNews has learned, while the traditional September grape harvest estimates, usually released by Ismea, Assoenologi and Unione Italiana Vini (Uiv), were not published this year (a decision reportedly taken to avoid releasing preliminary figures that could later prove significantly different from the final results, as has happened in recent years), obtaining any reliable data on Italy 2026 harvest may require waiting until “almost Christmas”. According to industry rumors, official figures are still pending. These may come either from the grape harvest declarations, which wineries are required by law to submit by November 30th (unless extensions are granted), or even from the wine and must production declarations, which must be finalized by December 15th (again, unless deadlines are extended or delays occur, as has sometimes happened in past years, with figures not becoming available until February of the following year). In short, there are no estimates or forecasts available, despite the fact that the harvest is now effectively over across Italy.
For the time being, the only estimates available are those published by the European Commission Dg Agri, updated on November 2nd. According to these figures, Italy wine production is expected to reach 41.1 million hectoliters, compared with 37.5 million hectoliters in Spain and 33.8 million hectoliters in France. If confirmed, all three harvests would remain well below their historical averages (although together these countries still account for roughly 80% of total European Union wine production).
Given current market conditions, however, this may not be entirely negative. Across the sector there is broad agreement that producing less wine is essential to bringing supply and demand back into balance. And so, while waiting for “The Year to Come”, to stay with the musical theme and the great, unforgettable singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla, who was also a small-scale wine producer during his lifetime with his “Stronzetto dell’Etna” label from the vineyards surrounding his villa in Milo ...