According to a report published today by the ISMEA (Institute for Food and Farming Market Services) and UIV (Italian Wine Union), a healthy vintage is expected in Italy for 2009, with estimated production levels only slightly less than the 5-year average of 48 million hectoliters. In 2008, Italian winemakers reportedly produced roughly 46 million hectoliters and they are expected to produce slightly more this year, despite heavy rains across the Italian peninsula in early July. An early harvest is expected because of high temperatures in May, even in northwestern Italy, where a very cold winter delayed budding and the vegetative cycle by roughly 10 days.

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