Second-child syndrome? Not for Italian white wine

Still white wine has been on a wave of growth in recent years, and is the type of wine most consumed in Italy and the UK (soon also in the US). It is the wine found most on tables in Italian restaurants and it is the most chosen, together with sparklings, for climate change and the female approach to drinking. Above all, it is a key lever of Made in Italy exports, at a value of 1.287 billion euros a year, the best seller in the world, better than France (1.277 billion), New Zealand, Spain, Germany and Australia. These are the results of the Nomisma-Wine Monitor survey for IMT-Marchigiano Institute of Wine Protection at Collisioni Jesi. In 5 years “still white Italian wines” have grown 26% in value, against + 16% of red wines, thanks to their success in Europe and mostly in North America (+ 73% of the value demand). The US, Germany and the UK are the main buyers (2/3 of sales), despite the average price (2.80 euro per liter) is lower than competitors. But, “driven by new trends and ways of consumption towards more versatile products to be consumed outside the home”, explained Denis Pantini, consumption has also grown in Italy (40.1% against 39.8% of reds), and sales at +14% against + 7% of reds. What is the ace in the hole? “The natives”, explained Alberto Mazzoni, director of the Marches Institute of Wine Protection, “versatile, great variety and longevity”.