With the publication of the national implementation provisions of the decree recently approved in the State-Regions Conference on the Masaf website, the production of dealcoholized wines officially begins in Italy. These products, either alcohol-free or with a low alcohol content, are already regulated and marketed in various European countries but had so far been prohibited in Italy, where the previous regulation prevented beverages with an alcohol content below 8.5% from being called “wine.” Now, according to the decree, “it is possible to partially or fully reduce the alcohol content of wines, sparkling wines, quality sparkling wines, aromatic quality sparkling wines, carbonated sparkling wines, semi-sparkling wines, and carbonated semi-sparkling wines.”
However, no changes have been made regarding wines with a designation of origin. Italian entrepreneurs interested in producing “NoLo” wines (No Alcohol or Low Alcohol) will no longer have to seek production facilities outside the national borders to cater to this emerging market segment. Italian regulations specify that the dealcoholization process, whether partial or complete, cannot be applied to wines with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Unlike Italy, France has chosen to authorize dealcoholization for its wines with the AOC designation.
Additionally, the decree specifies that it is prohibited to increase the sugar content in the grape must used for the production of dealcoholized wines, as well as the addition of exogenous water or artificial aromas to the final product obtained through partial or total dealcoholization.
Federvini has positively commented on the decree’s approval. “The signing of the decree on dealcoholized and partially dealcoholized wines by Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida represents an important step forward for the Italian wine sector,” stated the association. The measure introduces several new provisions, some resulting from consultations with regional authorities and others reflecting suggestions raised during the November 26 meeting between the Minister and sector association presidents.
Federvini President Micaela Pallini emphasized the importance of the decree: “The signing of the decree within the year, as promised by Minister Lollobrigida, is a significant achievement for the Italian wine sector in a regulatory framework that offered limited flexibility. We will continue working to promote Italian winemaking heritage and tradition, even through the introduction of innovative products that meet the needs of an increasingly attentive and diverse international audience.”
Federvini welcomes this new regulatory framework, considering it a solid foundation for the development of the dealcoholized wine segment—a growing market that has the potential to attract new consumers and strengthen the competitiveness of Made in Italy on a global scale.
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