The first grape clusters have been harvested in Sicily, well ahead of the usual harvest calendar — as also happened last year. Cantine Ermes, a major wine producer managing vineyards primarily in the Trapani area, has begun harvesting grapes intended for sparkling wine bases (pinot grigio, chardonnay, viognier). The harvest, which the cooperative (with over 14,000 hectares of vineyards and more than 2,700 members across six regions) oversees, will be extended in the coming weeks to other areas: Puglia, Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Lombardy.
The 2025 harvest, explains president Rosario Di Maria, begins under favourable weather conditions, despite the challenges posed by the seasonal instability that marked late spring.
“The early varieties picked in these first days show a good balance between sugars and acidity, thanks to consistent ventilation and temperature variation in the hilly areas.”
From a quantity perspective, there is a return to normal levels, with average yields estimated between 70 and 90 quintals per hectare, in line with harvests over the past ten years. “We expect excellent aromatic expression in the whites.”
The UNESCO effect: tourism is growing, but there is a risk of losing identity
The perfect pairing? Wine and books
2025 was the year of Trump's tariffs – will 2026 be better for Italian wine in the US?
Italian cuisine recognised by UNESCO
Where is English sparkling wine going?
