Economy Italy gives the green light for non-alcoholic wine
For a long time, there was an unwritten rule in Italy: wine without alcohol is not wine. But now the country is opening up to the production of dealcoholized wine.
30.12.2025, 11:50
SDA
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture in Rome signed a decree officially establishing the tax framework for the domestic production of alcohol-free wines. The Italian wine industry had been waiting several months for the final green light.
Since 2021, wine from which alcohol has been removed has also been considered wine in the European Union. Italy had resisted adopting this regulation for a long time. Tradition-conscious winegrowers feared a dilution of Italian wine culture. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida from the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) also initially spoke out against it.
A clear legal framework had been lacking for a year
A good year ago, however, there was a U-turn: Italy responded to the growing popularity of alcohol-free and low-alcohol wines (NoLo wines - no and low alcohol) and basically cleared the way for the production of dealcoholized wine. However, a clear legal framework for this was still lacking.
The decree that has now been signed provides clarity on excise duties, permits and distribution. It also regulates licensing, storage, administrative obligations and transportation regulations for NoLo wines. This will allow wineries to concretize ongoing projects. Lollobrigida explained that new opportunities are opening up.
NoLo wines long-term change
Representatives of the wine industry expressly welcomed the move. The demand for wines with a lower alcohol content can no longer be seen as a fad, but as a long-term change.
