by InTrieste
Wine producers in Friuli Venezia Giulia region are increasingly looking to innovation to respond to climate change and shifting consumer preferences, while maintaining the quality that has long defined the area’s wines.
The issues were discussed at the annual Prevendemmiale conference, organized by Assoenologi Friuli Venezia Giulia at the regional agricultural consortium’s headquarters in Basiliano. The meeting focused on the growing market for low- and no-alcohol wines, alongside an assessment of the current growing season ahead of the grape harvest.
Regional Agriculture Councillor Stefano Zannier said the region’s wine industry would continue to be built on quality but argued that producers should remain open to evolving market demands and technological developments.
“Closing ourselves off to what is happening would be a mistake,” Zannier said. While he does not expect dealcoholized wines to define the future of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s wine sector, he said some producers may find opportunities in the category, while others will continue to focus exclusively on traditional wines.
Speakers at the conference, which opened with remarks from Assoenologi Friuli Venezia Giulia president Matteo Lovo, noted that the sector is confronting several challenges simultaneously, including an earlier-than-usual growing season, the increasingly long-term effects of climate change and changing consumer preferences. They said these developments make it important for wineries, winemakers and institutions to evaluate new technologies and commercial strategies while preserving the region’s reputation for quality.
During the event, Zannier also announced that the technical review process for the Friuli DOC production regulations has been completed. Following favorable public consultations and approval from Italy’s Agriculture Ministry, the revised regulations are expected to be published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale, Italy’s official gazette, beginning the formal period for public comments.
According to Zannier, the updated regulations represent a substantial revision rather than a routine update, reflecting an extended consultation among stakeholders across the regional wine industry. He credited the Friuli DOC Consortium and other participants for developing a framework intended to better represent the region and support the sector’s future development.
The councilor also highlighted the importance of weather conditions as the harvest approaches, noting that temperature and rainfall remain key factors influencing both grape yields and wine quality. At the same time, he said advances in vineyard management and winemaking techniques have expanded producers’ ability to respond to increasingly variable climatic conditions.
Looking ahead, Zannier said the competitiveness of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s wine industry will depend on continued investment in innovation, including improved data management, modern agronomic practices and production strategies adapted to a changing climate. He said such changes are intended to preserve the quality standards for which the region’s wines are internationally recognized while meeting evolving market expectations.
