European wine is facing a crucial phase of transformation and is calling institutions and the supply chain to action: more than 130 policymakers, wine companies and stakeholders gathered today, 25 June, in Taranto for the European Wine Summit, organised by Ceev together with Federvini and Unione Italiana Vini, with the aim of defining a political and industrial strategy capable of strengthening the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the European wine sector in the face of declining consumption, climate pressures and geopolitical instability. The objective of the day: to bring wine back to the centre of the European economic and political agenda.
European Wine Summit: Taranto as the Capital of Dialogue Between Politics and the Wine Supply Chain
The European Wine Summit, organised by the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (Ceev) together with Federvini and Unione Italiana Vini, saw the participation of leading institutional representatives, including European Commissioner Christophe Hansen, Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and members of the European Parliament.
A direct dialogue between politics, businesses and academia, aimed at building a shared vision at a time of strong discontinuity for the sector.
The framework outlined during the Summit highlights a structural transformation. Global consumption has fallen from 242 million hectolitres in 2016 to an estimated 208 million in 2025, marking a contraction of 14% over the last decade.
International trade also shows signs of weakening, with a forecast reduction in value from €38 billion in 2022 to €33.8 billion by 2025.
Changes in consumption models, climate pressure and geopolitical instability are thus reshaping the competitive landscape, imposing new adaptation strategies.
The European Model Between Resilience and Competitiveness
Despite the difficulties, the Summit reaffirmed the strength of the European wine model, based on integrated supply chains that connect local production and global markets.
A system that makes it possible to absorb market volatility, strengthen brands and ensure economic continuity for territories, contributing overall €130 billion to the European economy.
The challenge today is to strengthen this model through more consistent policies and tools suited to the new complexity of the market.
Policies, Consumers and the Future of Wine at the Centre of the European Wine Summit
The debate focused on central themes: competitiveness, the attractiveness of wine, policy adaptation and the relationship with health-related issues, with a call for an approach based on scientific evidence.
Equally decisive was the issue of balancing environmental and economic sustainability, together with the need to ensure market access and harmonised regulation.
Opening the proceedings was the President of Ceev, Marzia Varvaglione:
“We are not here to complain about our difficulties. We are here because we believe in wine. European wine represents history, culture, territories, craftsmanship and conviviality. To guarantee its future, we must reconnect with society, attract new adult consumers and reaffirm the value of wine culture as an essential pillar of sustainability”.
Dialogue with Institutions and the Role of the Wine Package
The exchange with institutions confirmed the importance of a shared strategy, as highlighted by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen:
“European wine is much more than an agricultural product. It is part of our cultural heritage, our regional identities and our rural economies, preserving a know-how passed down through generations. Today in Taranto I above all wanted to listen directly to producers and understand the difficulties they are facing in a phase characterised by important market, climate and consumer-related challenges. It is precisely for this reason that we have presented the Wine Package, to provide Member States and the sector with concrete tools to support adaptation and strengthen competitiveness. An open and continuous dialogue between policymakers and the sector is essential to identify long-term solutions for the European wine sector”.
Towards a New European Wine Strategy
The conclusions of the Summit converge on one point: the need for a future‑oriented European strategy capable of supporting investment, innovation and competitiveness.
As underlined by the Secretary General of Ceev, Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, who concluded:
“Today’s discussions have confirmed a broad consensus across the entire wine supply chain and among policymakers: Europe needs a coherent and future-oriented strategy for wine. The sector is facing profound transformations, but it also has strong resources and important opportunities. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that policy decisions support resilience, competitiveness and sustainable growth”.
