2021: the Year of Records for Italian Wine

 2021 will certainly be remembered as the most profitable and positive year for the Italian wine. At least for the results achieved in the exports. This news – widely anticipated by the producers' declarations in recent months – is now positively confirmed by the results achieved by sales over the last year. The excellent result of the Italian wine has also been reported by ISTAT (the Italian National Institute of Statistics) and was awaiting, so to speak, the official confirmation spoken by the numbers in order to quantify the economic measure and growth. In 2021, as already mentioned, exports of Italian wine represented a total value of 7.1 billion euros, with an increase of +12.4% compared to 2020. This is the best result ever achieved by the trade of Italian wine in the world, an extraordinarily positive sign confirming – or rather, further confirming – the important role of the Italian wine in the world enological scenario.

 Furthermore, this result is also strengthened by the economic assets of 6.7 billion euros, therefore making the Italian wine one of the most important sectors of the entire made in Italy production. This is what emerges from the study carried out by the Uiv-Vinitaly-Ismea Observatory which examined the data released by ISTAT and relating to exports in 2021. The study, specifically, points out that this excellent result was strongly influenced by the so-called revenge spending which occurred in various sectors during 2021, clearly conditioned by the socio-economic conditions imposed by the pandemic. In any case, the Italian wine records the export of a volume of 22.2 million hectoliters – therefore with an increase of +7.3% – consolidating the dominant and significant role of the Italian enology in the world. Driving this result are the wines belonging to the Denominazione d'Origine Protetta (Protected Designation of Origin, DOP) which marks a significant +15.8% and sparkling wines, with an extraordinary increase of +25.3%. In the latter category, the performance of Prosecco achieved an increase of +32%, well above table wines with a growth of +12.3%.

 Concerning Denominazione d'Origine Protetta, DOP wines, these make two thirds of the entire value exported in 2021, while wines belonging to the category Indicazione Geografica Protetta, IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) record an increase of +5.4% whereas “common table wines” of +8.9%. The average price of Italian wine also increased, marking an increase of +4.7%. It should also be noted the important growth of the extra-EU market, marking an increase of +14.2% and which, to date, represents 61% of Italian wine exports. In this sense, it is interesting to note the growth recorded in the various countries, a ranking led by the United States of America (+18.4%) followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. Among the countries with the greatest growth, stand out the results achieved in China (+29.2%) and South Korea (+75.5%). Among the countries recording a significant increase compared to 2020 are included Switzerland, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Belgium and Denmark.

 2021 is certainly a year to remember among the most positive ever for the export of the Italian wines to the world. Good news, despite being – in some regards – overshadowed by the condition that is occurring in 2022, marked by the lack of raw materials and essential goods for the production of wine, not least by the significant increase in inflation occurring globally. As for the excellent result achieved by Italian wine exports in 2021, fifteen Italian regions have recorded the best result ever. As for the ranking of the Italian regions with the highest value of exports in 2021, the first place is occupied by Veneto, with 2.5 billion euros – and an increase of +11.1% compared to 2020 – followed by Piedmont with 1.2 billion euros and a growth of +12.2%, then Tuscany with 1.1 billion euros corresponding to an increase of +16.4%.

 Following, Trentino-Alto Adige with 614 million euros, then Emilia-Romagna with 409 million, achieving a growth of +19%. It then follows Lombardy, with 286 million and a growth of +11.8%, Abruzzo with 204 million and +8.1%, then Apulia with 179 million and +8.0%, Friuli-Venezia Giulia with 142 million and +21.5% and Sicily with 139 million and +16.8%. Excellent results also for Lazio, with an increase of +20.4%, Umbria, with a growth of +23%, Liguria with +26.7%. In this context of generalized growth in the entire country, Calabria stands out against the trend, with a volume of 4.8 million euros, recording a loss of -25.9% compared to 2020. As regards the denominations, remarkable results have been achieved by those belonging to Veneto, Piedmont and Tuscany. In particular, the result achieved by the Prosecco DOC denominations which, in 2021, has recorded for the first time the remarkable figure of 627.5 million bottles produced and – in particular – the 100 million bottles produced in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, of which 24% distributed in the Italian market and 30% in foreign markets. To these results must also be added the 21 million bottles of the Colli Asolani DOCG, for a total of about 750 million bottles produced for the three famous bubbles of Veneto.

 Moreover, in Veneto is also recorded the excellent result achieved by Amarone della Valpolicella with over 15 million bottles sold and an increase of +30%, as well as the good result of Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio DOC, with over 300 million bottles produced and an increase of +6%. Very good results also for the two important DOCGs of Piedmont: Barolo records an increase of +22% – with a share of 82% represented by exports – while Barbaresco records a +17%, with a share of 65% for export. Furthermore, Asti DOCG returns to produce over 102 million bottles – of these, 90% destined to foreign markets – with a growth of +11%. In Tuscany is recorded the extraordinary results of Brunello di Montalcino which, in 2021, has sold more than 11 million bottles, with an increase of +27% compared to 2020. Excellent result also for Chianti Classico with an increase of +21% compared to 2020 and 35 million bottles produced, of which 80% destined to foreign markets.

 Among other Italian wines, excellent results have been achieved by Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi – with an increase of +36.9% – Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Primitivo di Manduria and the wines belonging to Sicilia DOC. The good news about the extraordinary results achieved by Italian wine in 2021, as already mentioned, are overshadowed by the forecasts that are being made in recent months regarding 2022. The generalized trend of the increase in production costs, to which are also added the growth in inflation, the global and economic conditions of recent months, suggest the 2022 to be a difficult year for almost all the production sectors, including wine. To this, unfortunately, is also added the uncertainty caused by the pandemic and, last but not least, the increase in energy and fuel costs, factors that – inevitably – will affect the final price. In short, if for 2021 there was a general enthusiasm for the entire wine sector, for 2022 the producers do not seem to be optimistic, imagining in any case a difficult year from an economic and market point of view. If everything was ready to celebrate the extraordinary success of Italian wine achieved in 2021, 2022 forces us to mitigate the enthusiasm. However, despite the premises of this year, let's take the good news with decided optimism for the magnificent result which is nevertheless certain. In any case, it is a wonderful opportunity to make a toast to this success, by uncorking a beautiful and good bottle of Italian wine. Long live the Italian wine!