Business · Energy & Commodities · 9 hrs ago
Cia Cuneo urges pause on new vineyard plantings amid wine downturn
Piedmont wine producers are facing a downturn, with the region’s wine exports down by between 2% and 6%.
At a wine industry meeting in Pollenzo, Cia Cuneo president Claudio Conterno called on the regional government to pause most new vineyard plantings and draw up a plan for removing vines.
Applications for new planting rights close on December 15, and potential requests cover 430 hectares out of Piedmont’s 43,000 hectares of vineyards.
Conterno said planting more vines could worsen the risk of oversupply, though he would make exceptions for growing areas such as those producing Timorasso.
The sector is also dealing with changing drinking habits and geopolitical tensions; losses in Russia and Ukraine have meant 20 million fewer bottles for Asti and Moscato.
Piedmont has held up better than Italian wine exports overall, and some areas and white wines are growing.
Producers want a joint plan with the region to guide the industry over the next five to ten years.
Cia Cuneo has called for a halt to new vineyard plantings in Piedmont amid a downturn in wine sales.
The group also wants a clear plan for removing vines and says production should be tied to expected sales.
Piedmont’s wine contraction is estimated at 2% to 6%, less than the decline in Italian wine exports overall.
Applications for new plantings are due by December 15, and potential requests amount to 430 hectares out of 43,000 hectares of vineyards in the region.
The sector’s representatives cited changing consumption and geopolitical tensions as major challenges.
- Who
- Cia Cuneo, led by president Claudio Conterno, is calling for a halt to new plantings.
- What
- The group wants new vineyard plantings paused, except in some growing areas, and wants a plan for removing vines.
- When
- The call was made at the Piedmont wine sector’s general meeting; applications for new plantings are due by December 15.
- Where
- Piedmont, Italy.
- Why
- The group says vineyards could become oversaturated as wine sales and consumption patterns change.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
During the first planting quota, bulk wine was priced at 2.60 euros per litre, Conterno said.
The deadline for applications for new vineyard plantings in Piedmont is due to expire.
- Regional vineyard area
- 43,000 hectares
- Potential planting requests
- 430 hectares
- Piedmont wine contraction
- 2% to 6%
- Deadline for planting applications
- December 15
- Exports lost in Russia and Ukraine
- 20 million bottles of Asti and Moscato, according to Monchiero
What people are saying
Before making grapes, you need to know whether you can sell them.
We need clear answers from the Region on two issues: stopping new plantings and a clear plan for vine removals.
The analysis confirms that this is a difficult moment for almost everyone, but Piedmont is among the regions holding up best.