Meloni Defends Italy’s Wine Industry

Italy’s wine sector is a pillar of the country’s food and agriculture industry and one of the most recognizable symbols of made in Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a message to Assoenologi as the group opened its national congress in Conegliano on Thursday.

Meloni said Italy leads the world in wine production and holds the record for certified quality output, helped by what she described as extraordinary biodiversity and more than 500 native grape varieties. She called viticulture an irreplaceable part of Italy’s national identity.

In her greeting to Riccardo Cotarella, the president of Assoenologi, Meloni said wine is celebrated in painting, art and literature, but also stands for care of the land and the landscape. She pointed to the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as an example of how viticulture has shaped places of lasting beauty.

Meloni said her government had backed the sector since taking office, with an emphasis on making it stronger and more innovative at a time when international markets are changing and consumer habits are shifting. She said Italy had pushed in Europe for a reform of geographic indication rules that would better reflect the Italian model while preserving European funds used to promote wine abroad.

She also said the government would continue to oppose what she called attempts to demonize wine through alarming labels or misleading information for consumers. Wine, she said, remains a key part of the Mediterranean diet and should be defended as a source of well-being, within the framework of responsible consumption.

Meloni said diversification of export markets remained another priority. She cited trade agreements signed by the European Union with Latin America, India and Australia as possible openings for Italian producers. She also highlighted wine tourism as a growing opportunity for the sector.

The prime minister closed by thanking producers, farmers and enologists, saying their expertise and professionalism help ensure the quality that is widely associated with Italian wine.