The market for low- and zero-alcohol wines is growing rapidly globally, but Italy risks being sidelined due to regulatory delays that increasingly weigh on the supply chain. Reviving attention to the issue is the Italian Wine Union (UIV), which has sent a letter to the Ministries of Agriculture and Economy urging them to unblock the interministerial decree needed to make alcohol-free wine production operational in Italy.
The measure, which has been stalled at the State Accounting Office for over two months, is crucial because it defines the tax regime for alcohol extracted during dealcoholization processes. Without these rules, companies cannot complete the production cycle in Italy, despite the fact that the European framework has long permitted the marketing of these types of alcohol.
According to UIV, the situation is particularly critical because many wineries have already invested in facilities, technology, and training, targeting a segment that represents one of the few growth areas in a complex global wine environment. The No-Lo sector, which also includes dealcoholized products, is currently worth approximately $2,4 billion worldwide and is expected to reach $3,3 billion by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 8%.
Market data confirms a strong acceleration in alcohol-free sales in major Western countries. In the first nine months of the year, volumes grew 46% in Germany, 20% in the United Kingdom, and 18% in the United States. While these shares remain a minority, they are rapidly expanding within the No-Lo category.
The paradox, UIV points out, is that Italian zero-degree wines are performing well abroad, despite being produced outside of Italy: in the United Kingdom, they're up 10% in value, while in the United States, they're growing by 24%. This is a clear sign of demand, but it risks translating into a competitive advantage for other European countries.
For this reason, the association is calling for rapid action: without the decree being unblocked, Italy risks definitively losing ground in a segment destined to become a key player in the international winemaking landscape.
