Italy’s Wine Exports Suffer From Tariff Uncertainty

The latest threats and setbacks over U.S. tariffs are adding another layer of damage to Italy’s wine business, according to Lamberto Frescobaldi, the president of Unione italiana vini, who said the uncertainty itself is now hurting companies already under pressure.

Speaking on Friday after the International Trade Court rejected the new global tariffs and as President Trump pressed ahead with deadlines tied to the trade agreement signed in Scotland last August, Frescobaldi said the lack of clarity was making it harder for wineries to plan shipments, pricing and contracts with American buyers. He said producers hoped to reduce as much uncertainty as possible through ratification of the Turnberry agreement, while acknowledging that even then there would be little reason to celebrate.

Unione italiana vini said the tariffs have weakened exports to the United States and also damaged the broader commercial network in America, a view echoed by the United States Wine Trade Alliance. The alliance, which represents importers, distributors, producers, restaurateurs and wine shops, has described the impact as real, widespread and sustained across the wine supply chain, with sales down between 5% and 15% or more for some businesses.

The strain is visible in restaurants as well. According to Datassential, menus across the country now list 37% fewer white wine labels and 26% fewer red wine labels. Industry groups say that reflects not only higher costs but also a narrower selection for consumers and lower margins for operators who rely on imported wines.

For Italy, the numbers have been sharp. Uiv’s observatory said wine exports fell 9.2% in 2025, equal to €178 million in lost sales, with a 23% drop in just the last six months of that year. The first quarter of this year ended with a year-on-year gap of about 20%, or €105 million, marking the weakest start to a year since 2022. Even so, Uiv said that after nine months in negative territory, sales values were expected to edge up slightly by April.

The dispute comes at a sensitive moment for Italian exporters, who depend heavily on the U.S. market and on a distribution system that includes wholesalers, retailers and restaurants. Industry officials say any further delay or confusion over tariff policy could deepen losses not only for Italian wineries but also for American businesses that sell and serve their wines.