The 2024 Wine Year in Piedmont Presented: 5% on Wine Production, Dop Reds Doing Well Abroad

The anomalous trend has imposed significant challenges on Piedmont winemakers, with extreme variability in results linked to the position of the vineyards and the effectiveness of the pest control, put to the test by persistent rains, which have nevertheless remedied the previous water shortage. Despite the intense work and difficulties, the balance remains positive: the grapes offer wines in line with market trends towards a reduction in alcohol content. It is estimated that over 2.25 million hectoliters were produced (5%) against 2.06 million in 2023. The data are still provisional as the deadline for sending production declarations is December 20. According to the technicians, "the approach in the cellar will be fundamental to enhance the peculiarities of a difficult year but not without potential. As always, time and winemaking experience will be able to return authentic and surprising expressions of this harvest". Piedmont also confirms itself as the second region at a national level in terms of turnover impact with a turnover for the wine sector of 1,248 million euros. On the export front, Piedmontese PDO reds are growing by around 1% in value (compared to 4.4% in volume), driven by a strong recovery in Canada (49%) and by important growth in Sweden (14%), Japan and the United States (both 10%). This is the summary of the analysis made by oenologists, agronomists and sector journalists in L'Annata Vitivinicola in Piemonte 2024 , the annual publication edited by Vignaioli Piemontesi and Regione Piemonte in which technical data and assessments on the recent harvest and the general economic trend of the wine sector are analyzed. A work that Vignaioli Piemontesi has been carrying out for more than thirty years, since 1992, meticulously collecting regional data on grape ripening and climate trends in various wine-growing areas of Piedmont and carrying out a coordination activity of all viticultural technicians and agronomists present in the territory. The publication was presented in the Grinzane Cavour Castle.

The Councilor for Agriculture of the Piedmont Region Paolo Bongioanni : «Wine is at the center of the vision I have in mind for the development of agriculture in Piedmont. With this legislature, in fact, the regional delegations for Trade, Agriculture and Food, Hunting and Fishing, Parks are reunited for the first time in a single Department. They are all closely interconnected sectors if seen from a perspective of territorial development, of valorization of the culture of taste and of increase in food and wine tourism that revolves around it. But above all, they are the expression of excellence that Piedmont can offer at absolute levels, and that I intend to develop in an organic design. With the 750 million euros of the Rural Development Complement 2023-27, the Region renews its usual support for agricultural businesses, consortia and regional wine shops, from the vineyard to the final promotion. At the same time, however, we are giving shape to an unprecedented qualitative leap in the valorization of Piedmontese agri-food: the revolution of the Short Supply Chain. A paradigm shift designed to valorize in an increasingly effective and profitable way our foods and wines and together the territories from which they originate, connecting in a flywheel producers, food and trade districts, consortia, traditional markets and those great ambassadors of taste that are our restaurateurs and chefs».

The Councilor for Tourism of the Piedmont Region Marina Chiarelli : «Piedmont confirms itself as one of the leading regions at a national level for production and turnover in the wine sector. The significant impact also on international markets is the result of a synergy between tradition and innovation. These are values that make Piedmontese wines a heritage appreciated throughout the world, and our commitment is to continue to promote and support this excellence. We want to strengthen the presence of our Piedmont in global markets to enhance our extraordinary local productions that attract quality tourism thanks to a hospitality system that in recent years has taken up the challenge of internationalization».

"The wine year that just ended saw us produce more, but not without great difficulty," said Giulio Porzio of Vignaioli Piemontesi, "especially in reaching the harvest due to the abundant rainfall. In terms of economic sustainability, however, our sector is still far from an optimal situation. Markets and consumption are changing rapidly, and this requires a faster and more decisive approach in addressing the problems we face. We must review our strategies with an overall vision, as a cohesive team. In this context, the role of the Region becomes crucial: it must be a protagonist in strategic choices, promoting the use of our products and supporting local producers. This is a time when courage is needed to believe in our work and bet on the future of Piedmontese viticulture." After the technical part, presented by Federico Spanna (Piedmont Region), Daniela Tornato and Michele Vigasio (Vignaioli Piemontesi), the floor was given to Denis Pantini (NOMISMA) who presented the performances and competitive positioning of Piedmontese wines in the market scenario.

The day ended with the presentation of the book Social, PR and media relations of wine - 100 FAQs for the US market , co-written by Stevie Kim and Gino Colangelo who, with decades of experience in the marketing of Italian wine, present a practical guide aimed at Italian producers and exporters who want to communicate and sell their wines in the United States. The book, published by Mamma Jumbo Shrimp and available on Amazon, answers 100 key questions to navigate the complex US wine market.

Organized into 12 chapters, it covers topics such as content marketing, media relations, influencer marketing and American critics, offering concrete strategies to maximize visibility and success. Written in Italian and soon to be translated into English, this resource offers advice based on real case studies, helping producers navigate a competitive and strategically essential market such as the US.

The day's moderation was entrusted to Alessandra Biondi Bartolini , scientific director of Millevigne, the technical magazine published by Vignaioli Piemontesi.