The numbers behind Ossola wine: a niche production

21 September 2026

The numbers behind Ossola wine in Upper Piedmont: a niche production despite favourable climatic conditions and soils.

The Ossola Valley

Located in Upper Piedmont, it is a region renowned for the production of high-quality wines. Despite favourable climatic conditions, the numbers behind Ossola wine reveal that it remains a niche production. The presence of fertile soils makes this area perfect for vine cultivation. Wines from the Ossola Valley are characterised by an intense and complex flavour, reflecting the variety of grapes grown in this region. Among the most widespread are Nebbiolo, known as Prunent, and Merlot, which give the wines a fruity aroma and a spicy note. The winemaking tradition of the Ossola Valley dates back centuries and has been passed down from generation to generation. The region’s historic wineries still preserve ancient winemaking techniques that give the wines a unique and unmistakable character.

Where it is exported

Among the most prized wines of the Ossola Valley, there is one that is the emblem of this land: Prünent. It is the flagship of Ossola production, made from the Nebbiolo grape variety, and we often see it among Italian wine sales trends because of its authenticity. Speaking of the international wine market, 2023 saw a 7.3% decrease in turnover by value compared with the previous year. The countries most interested in Italian products are nearby ones, but the United States remains firmly in first place for imports of Italian wine. This customs analysis also reports positive figures for wine exports to Germany, with an increase of 7%. These data show how the international market for Italian wine is essentially in the hands of five countries: the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Switzerland. Unlike other nations, Italy needs to redistribute its product, currently 60% in the hands of these markets, while seeking to conquer new foreign markets.

The numbers behind wine in the Ossola Valley?

The consumption of Italian wine abroad places Piedmont among the highest-ranking regions in terms of popularity. Thanks to its denominations, it manages to win over foreign audiences. One example is Valli Ossolane, whose bottled hectolitres stood at 369 in 2020, an increase compared with previous years. Nomisma data indicate that this region exports 70% of its wine to EU countries and the remaining percentage outside the EU. Vineyard hectares fell from 45,823 in 2022 to 44,285 in 2023, a decrease in favour of quality rather than large numbers.

The international wine market showed a general decline for other countries too in 2023, which is why 2024 looks set to be complex. Climate factors and increased competition will lead to an inevitable rise in prices for wine exports. Last year proved weak for the Piedmontese wine market in terms of total exports at year-end, while considering bottled wine data alone, there was a reduction in sales of Piedmontese PDO wines that was lower than the national average. These are not alarming data, as they are linked to various factors, such as environmental problems and changes in the demographic age of different countries. To stem the losses of the previous year, the Piedmont Region has already allocated funds for promotion in third-country markets under the Wine CMO, for the internationalisation and export of Piedmontese wine companies.

With a degree in Architecture, she now writes about food, wine and gastronomic culture, keeping alive those traditions that help create a people’s identity. An observer and first-hand taster, she goes into the field to capture every aspect of the culinary experience: from the architecture of venues and the history of products to the many facets of tasting itself.