European wine is attempting to reposition itself amidst the market, climate, and changing consumption habits. With the final approval of the so-called "Wine Package," the 27 European Union member states have launched a set of measures designed to strengthen a sector undergoing structural transformation. Formal adoption came in Brussels during the Agrifish Council, following the green light from the European Parliament on February 10—with 625 votes in favor, 15 against, and 11 abstentions—and the political agreement reached in December between Parliament and the Council. The regulation will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The stated objective is twofold: to rebalance supply and demand and to make the sector more resilient to climate shocks and shifts in consumption patterns. The text addresses multiple levels, combining production management tools, financial support, and regulatory updates.
Among the key points is strengthening measures to combat natural disasters, extreme weather events, and plant diseases, which have become structural factors for European viticulture. Member States will be able to increase EU support for investments aimed at addressing the effects of climate change to up to 80% of eligible costs. The ceiling for national support for wine distillation and green harvesting is also set at 25%.
Equally important is the possibility of using European funds for the permanent uprooting of vines, a tool designed to stabilize production in situations of structural surplus. This measure specifically addresses the needs of countries facing oversupply in certain production areas.
In terms of economic development, the Package consolidates support for promotion in third countries, with a European contribution of up to 60% of the costs incurred. Member States will be able to further supplement this support, up to 30% for small and medium-sized enterprises and up to 20% for larger companies. Wine tourism has also been strengthened, with funding for information and promotional initiatives—advertising, events, studies, exhibitions—available for three years and renewable for up to nine years.
One of the most innovative chapters concerns the labeling of dealcoholized and reduced-alcohol wines. The regulation clarifies definitions: the term "non-alcoholic," accompanied by "0,0%," may only be used for products with an alcohol content of no more than 0,05% vol. Wines with an alcohol content higher than 0,5% vol., but at least 30% lower than the category standard before dealcoholization, must be labeled as "reduced alcohol." The measure aims to ensure transparency and uniformity in the single market, in a growing segment.
The economic scale of the sector explains the political relevance of the measure. In Italy, the sector generates €14,5 billion in revenue, involves 241 businesses, and covers 681 hectares of vineyards. It includes 570 native varieties, with 78% of the area dedicated to Geographical Indications.
The Italian government has asserted an active role in the European debate. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida spoke of a "clear and distinct" stance in defense of wine, criticizing what he called "ideological excesses" that attempted to exclude the sector from promotional funding. "It should be drunk in moderation," he stated, "but we are not willing to give up the value that wine represents in terms of history, identity, culture, environmental protection, and the economy."
Agricultural organizations expressed a generally favorable assessment, while highlighting some critical issues. Coldiretti called the approval a significant step, while emphasizing the need to ensure adequate resources within future European policies. Confcooperative, through Luca Rigotti, president of the Wine Sector and the Copa-Cogeca Wine Group, expressed a more nuanced position. He welcomed the measures regarding climate, flavescence dorée, wine tourism, and the introduction of the term "low alcohol content." He also called for further action, including a regulatory solution for wines with a low natural alcohol content.
Rigotti also highlighted several unresolved issues: the lack of scope for carrying unspent funds over to the following year and the failure to extend the higher co-financing rates for SMEs to cooperatives. These factors, according to the sector, limit the potential impact of the measure.
The Wine Package therefore represents an updated and more flexible regulatory framework, designed to support the sector's transition through a period of profound change. Its real effectiveness will now depend on the concrete implementation of the measures and the ability of Member States to translate them into operational tools for businesses and regions.
