Prosecco Shortage: What’s Behind The Wine Shortage In Italy?

A prosecco shortage is expected as a result of high demand and exceeding rainy conditions in Italy. Robert Cremonese is the export manager for prosecco manufacturer Bisol, and talks about the wine failing to meet demand in 2015, USA Today reports.

“Last year’s harvest was very poor, and down by up to 50% in some parts, so there is a very real possibility of a global shortage,” Cremonese said in an interview with The Drinks Business.

The areas taking the hardest hit on the wine shortage is Prosecco DOC (standing for “Controlled Designation of Origin”). This represents territories and provinces that lie within northeast Italy. DOC means that prosecco is produced within a set of guidelines in a specific region. Cremonese said that the region had a lot of rain in the last year.

“A lot of the vines in the DOC area are newly planted and they ended up soaked – the grapes were rotten and yields were down by half in some cases,” Cremonese said.

Demand is up during the prosecco shortage while supply is unable to meet it. Prosecco DOC sales increased by 27 percent in 2014, as reported by Italy 24. Exports to the U.K. increased to over 60 percent and went up by 38 percent in the U.S.

In the Italy 24 report published in February, it revealed that the U.K. worked to prevent fake prosecco from being sold in British pubs. Fake prosecco manufactured in Brazilian and Australian go by the names “Secco” or “Rossecco.” By all accounts, it’s a less expensive sparkling wine, but is still “appreciated all over the world.”

In the midst of the prosecco shortage, Cremonese describes the appeal of the popular wine to The Drinks Business.

“… People love prosecco because it’s uncomplicated and quaffable. You should never take it too seriously.

“Prosecco is like driving around London in a Mini not a Ferrari – you don’t need a reason to pop a cork.”

Prosecco is a dry, or extra dry wine, made from Glera grapes — once known also as prosecco. Other grape varieties — such as Bianchetta Trevigiana — may also be included in the making of the wine.

The full effects of the wine shortage won’t be known until August when the real numbers come in. That’s when wine brokers bring their stock to the market.

Lovers of this kind of wine are urged to stock up on the drink in case they’re worried of being out of luck during their summertime gatherings.

[Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images]