What’s Changing, What’s Rising, and What to Drink Now
If you’ve been listening to the Flavor of Italy podcast for a while, you know I love patterns—what Italians are cooking more of, what they’re traveling for, what they’re sipping on terraces, and what quietly disappears from the table without anyone making a fuss. This week’s episode is all about 2026 wine trends, and I recorded it with my dear friend Cynthia Chaplin—my personal wine guru and one of the most insightful voices I know when it comes to what’s happening in Italy right now and how those changes ripple outward into the U.S., the U.K., and beyond.
Cynthia Chaplin is a Wine Consultant, Sommelier, VIA Italian Wine Ambassador, Wine Judge, WSET Educator, Writer, Presenter, and Podcast Host. Her work spans education, consulting, judging, writing, and helping people understand wine in a way that feels approachable and relevant to real life rather than intimidating. Her website is
Before we get into the details of 2026 wine trends, a quick note from me. I’m expanding how you can enjoy the Flavor of Italy podcast. The audio episode will still come out every Tuesday as usual. Shortly after, the video version will be edited and posted to my brand new YouTube channel. Many of you have told me you want to see the conversation, not just hear it, so we’re doing it. And the day after the audio episode drops, I publish a longer, deeper dive on Substack, with extra context, background, and storytelling tied to the topic.
If you ever have an idea for an episode or newsletter topic, email me at wendy@flavorofitaly.com. And please do leave comments either on Substack or on my website.
Why 2026 wine trends feel more optimistic
After several challenging years marked by tariffs, confusing health warnings, and declining consumption, 2026 wine trends finally bring a more positive tone. Cynthia opened our conversation by pointing out that much of the alarmist messaging around wine and health has been softened, and moderation is once again part of the conversation. That shift alone has helped many consumers feel more comfortable enjoying wine as part of everyday life. As she joked, for her January still means Chablis, not Dry January.
From Italy’s perspective, this change is critical. Before U.S. tariffs came into effect, 43 percent of all Italian wine sold globally was sold in the United States. Italian producers have had to adapt quickly, and Cynthia emphasized that they are doing so with creativity and resilience. Italian fine wines such as Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, and long-lived Super Tuscans like Sassicaia have held their value remarkably well and remain some of the most affordable collectible wines in the world, while also being among the longest lived.
2026 Wine Trends: Lighter wines, less oak, lower alcohol
One of the most defining 2026 wine trends is the move away from heavy, high-alcohol wines. I shared that I’ve personally drifted away from very powerful reds and toward rosé and lighter, chill-able reds. As an example, I mentioned a rosato made from Tintilia in Molise—fresh, versatile, and something I can happily drink with almost anything.
Cynthia confirmed this is happening globally. Consumers simply don’t want 16 percent alcohol wines anymore, and producers are responding. Even in historically powerful regions like Amarone della Valpolicella, Brunello di Montalcino, and Barolo, younger winemakers are reducing oak usage and working to keep alcohol levels lower.
She pointed to a clear substitution pattern that’s shaping 2026 wine trends: instead of Amarone, many drinkers are choosing Valpolicella Classico; instead of Brunello, they’re turning to modern styles of Chianti Classico that rely less on oak. These wines are more food-friendly, more flexible at the table, often more affordable, and easier to enjoy casually—including with a slight chill.
Even in historically powerful regions like Amarone, Brunello, and Barolo, younger winemakers are reducing oak usage and working to keep alcohol levels lower. A good example is the growing popularity of Valpolicella Classico in place of Amarone, and modern Chianti Classico styles instead of Brunello. These wines are more food-friendly, more versatile, often more affordable, and easier to enjoy casually.
Why oak is being used less - 2026 Wine Trends
Cynthia explained that this shift is largely consumer driven. Drinkers are less interested in smoky, toasty, heavily oaked flavors. Oak is also one of the most expensive components of winemaking, and Italy imports most of it. At the same time, new technology has made alternatives possible. Cement tanks, for example, allow for micro-oxygenation without adding oak flavor, creating wines with structure and freshness but without heaviness. This technological evolution is quietly shaping 2026 wine trends in a big way.
How wine communication is changing
Another important aspect of 2026 wine trends is how wine is talked about. Consumers are less interested in technical jargon and more interested in how wine fits into their lives. Cynthia noted that this has allowed educators and communicators to be more creative, more accessible, and more engaging.
She also pointed out how global curiosity has shifted attention away from traditionally dominant regions like Bordeaux and toward fresher, lighter styles such as Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Italian equivalents that deliver elegance without excess weight.
2026 Wine Trends include Low- and no-alcohol as part of the picture
Low- and no-alcohol drinks remain a significant part of 2026 wine trends. Cynthia pointed out that Rome and Milan now have bars dedicated entirely to low- and no-alcohol beverages and mocktails. Rather than rejecting tradition, Italy is reconnecting with it through botanicals, bitter flavors, and aperitivo-style drinks that align naturally with lower alcohol lifestyles.
Italian regulations have also evolved, allowing producers to make low- and no-alcohol products more easily. Combined with a growing focus on wellness, sustainability, and transparency, this has opened the door to new styles that still feel authentically Italian.
Packaging, sustainability, and new formats in 2026
Sustainability is deeply embedded in 2026 wine trends, and packaging is part of that conversation. While Italy remains deeply attached to heavy glass bottles, lighter bottles, cans, and alternative formats are gaining ground, especially for wines meant to be consumed quickly. These formats reduce shipping weight and carbon footprint and align well with the way younger consumers live and travel.
Packaging design itself has also become more expressive. Bold graphics and clear storytelling on labels are increasingly important in a digital-first world, where wine is often discovered online rather than on a shop shelf.
2026 Wine Trends include Southern Italy and rediscovered regions
Southern Italy continues to rise as one of the most exciting areas within 2026 wine trends. Sicily, and especially Etna, has gained global recognition, with Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco now sharing the spotlight. Whites are gaining ground quickly and may soon surpass reds in popularity, thanks to their ageability, freshness, and volcanic character.
Marsala is another region undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once associated almost exclusively with sweet fortified wine, Marsala is now producing dry, saline, mineral-driven wines made from Grillo. These wines draw on historic salt flats and sea-level vineyards while expressing a thoroughly modern sensibility.
Calabria also deserves attention. Italy’s newest DOCG, Cirò, made from the Gaglioppo grape, has traditionally been known for powerful red wines. Today, many producers are creating striking Gaglioppo rosato, aligning Calabria squarely with contemporary 2026 wine trends.
Sweet and sparkling wines without embarrassment: a 2026 Wine Trend
One of the more surprising 2026 wine trends is the renewed popularity of sweet and semi-sweet wines, particularly sparkling styles. Younger drinkers are far less self-conscious about admitting what they enjoy. Sparkling reds like Brachetto d’Acqui from Piemonte and Recioto della Valpolicella are being rediscovered, often served chilled or creatively mixed with Prosecco and herbs.
Cynthia also noted that the world’s most popular Prosecco style remains Extra Dry rather than Brut, reinforcing the idea that subtle sweetness is far from out of fashion.
Drinking less, but drinking better at home
Another clear theme in 2026 wine trends is the shift toward drinking better wine, less often, and more frequently at home. Rising restaurant prices have made home drinking more appealing, and at home there is less pressure and more freedom to explore.
E-commerce plays a growing role here. Buying wine online offers guidance, storytelling, and reviews that can be less overwhelming than supermarket shelves. This combination of curiosity and comfort is changing how people build their wine habits.
White wines made from red grapes
Cynthia highlighted an innovative trend gaining traction: white wines made from red grapes. Known as blanc de noirs, this approach is expanding beyond Champagne into Italy, with producers experimenting with grapes such as Nebbiolo. These wines deliver intriguing texture, aromatic complexity, lower alcohol, and freshness—qualities that align perfectly with 2026 wine trends.
Opening the bottles you’ve been saving
We also talked about a very real issue for many listeners: having great bottles at home but hesitating to open them. Cynthia’s advice was refreshingly honest. If you don’t have perfect cellar conditions, those wines may never improve. Open them, enjoy them, even if it’s just one glass. Put the bottle in the fridge, revisit it another day, and accept that some loss is better than never tasting it at all.
She shared wisdom from wine guru Franco Ricci in Rome: "always drink your best wines with your best friends, because even if the friends don't know the quality of the wine, you know the quality of the friend and the wine"
Celebrity wines as a gateway- a 2026 Wine Trend
Celebrity involvement is another piece of 2026 wine trends. Increasingly, celebrities are genuinely engaged in winemaking rather than simply lending their name. Cynthia pointed to athletes, musicians, and public figures whose involvement has sparked renewed interest in wine, including moments like Taylor Swift casually mentioning Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc and igniting massive online attention.
Wines to try now
Cynthia’s most enthusiastic recommendation was Lambrusco. She emphasized that modern Lambrusco bears no resemblance to the sweet, poor-quality versions of the past. Today’s Lambrusco includes distinct expressions such as Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino, and Lambrusco Grasparossa.
She recommended seeking out producers like Lini 910, whose wines showcase the range of Lambrusco styles, from dry and tart to richer and more structured.
She also highlighted Lessini Durello from the Veneto—an ancient sparkling wine made from the Durella grape, produced both in the traditional method and the tank method. Finally, she encouraged exploring seaside rosés from Puglia, particularly those made from Negroamaro and Primitivo, which offer salinity, freshness, and exceptional value.
Further reading
For more wine stories, regional insights, and Italian context, don’t forget to visit flavorofItaly.com, where you’ll find additional blog posts that explore wine, food, and Italian culture in depth. Here are a few to check out:
Choosing the right wine glass
PIWI Wines
Exploring Sicily's Mount Etna wines
And if you’d like to go even deeper, my Substack newsletter expands on each episode with extra history, travel details, and behind-the-scenes perspectives.
If this conversation about 2026 wine trends resonated with you, I’d love to hear what you’re drinking right now—especially if you’re exploring lighter reds, Italian rosés, or wines from southern Italy that surprised you.
Please leave your comment here. Your feedback is important!