Italian Piwi Wines: brief focus on an important trend

During the run-up to Vinitaly 2023, we decided to investigate one of the most significant market trends: the sphere of Piwi wines. This term defines wines made using varieties of grapes resistant to fungal diseases. This is the result of generations of work to crossbreed Vitis vinifera and other types of Vitis that are naturally resistant to fungi. These crossbreeds are obtained through pollination and plant selection, with a genetic heritage of Vitis vinifera of more than 95%.The goal for cellars producing Piwi wines is to continue wine-growing using the classic vine cultivation method and reducing human intervention in the vineyard with invasive chemical treatments as far as possible. Totally the opposite of the GMO concept. Piwi vines are resistant to the main pests and diseases, such as phylloxera, downy mildew and powdery mildew, as well as reduced sensitivity to botrytis and sour rot. These vines are not entirely immune and their resistance depends on the variety. Piwi wine-growers are consequently in the forefront as regards sustainability: these special resistant varieties make it possible to reduce soil pollution and thereby reduce the carbon footprint of the wine cellar. As Yuri Zambon, technical sales manager with the Vivai di Rauscedo nurseries, said during an exclusive interview for Vinitaly: “Resistant varieties, new active ingredients and cutting-edge technologies should enable us to reduce CO2 emissions in the wine sector. There would be lower use of chemicals and plant protection products, but also a decrease in diesel fuel consumption and soil erosion, which causes serious problems in the physiology of plants, and consequently less exposure of final consumers to residues of chemical products”. General overview of Piwi wines in Italy Data published by Vini e Viti Resistenti (Resistant Wines and Vines) indicate that in 2021 there were 126 producers, largely located in northern Italy: - 54 in Trentino-Alto Adige with 115 wines, - 24 in Veneto with 72 wines, - 16 in Lombardy with 18 wines, - 12 in Friuli-Venezia Giulia with 9 wines - and 1 in Piedmont, for a total of 214 Piwi wines. - The guidelines in the agreement dated 25 July 2002 concerning the classification of grape varieties, the Regions are the legislative entities in this regard in Italy. The Regions where growing resistant vines is allowed (2019) are: - Trentino-Alto Adige - Veneto - Friuli-Venezia Giulia - Lombardy - Emilia-Romagna - Marches - Abruzzo The wine-growing authorization procedure is also active in Latium (soon to be approved in 2023), Campania and Apulia. The National Registry lists 36 registered Piwi vine varieties. However the most widely used are Bronner, Solaris and Souvignier Gris. The most widespread and well-known variety is Solaris, planted for the first time in Italy in Alto Adige in 1999, since the vines of this variety adapt particularly well to cold climates. The other white grape varieties are Johanniter, Muscaris, Soreli, Sauvignon Cretos, Fleurtai, Sauvignon Rytos, Sauvignon Nepis, Helios, Aromera and Cabernet Blanc. The main resistant red grape varieties are: Cabernet Cortis, Cabernet Carbon, Prior, Merlot Khorus, Merlot Kanthus, Regent, Cabernet Volos, Cabernet Eidos, Chambourcin and Monarch. In 2022, the number of cellars producing Piwi wines in Italy grew to 165, for 290 wines: - 164 whites - 38 reds - 38 sparkling wines - 15 semi-sparkling - 19 orange wines - 11 rosé wines - and 5 raisin wines. - Data published by the Georgofili Academy indicate that the land area used to grow resistant grape varieties in Italy in 2022 comes to about 2,000 hectares, i.e. 0.3% of the approximately 680.00 hectares of vineyards producing wine grapes in Italy. To learn more about Piwi wines, Vinitaly has undertaken a series of interviews in the world of producers dedicated to experimentation with resistant vines. The first Vinitaly on Tour focus is already available on Vinitaly Plus with the interview with Yuri Zambon of Vivai Cooperativi di Rauscedo and a video on Youtube. The stories of Italian Piwi wine producers as told through Vinitaly interviews will be available soon on Vinitaly Plus! Photo Credits: “Merlot Khorus” Vivai Cooperativi di Rauscedo