European wine associations urge stronger EU support amid trade tensions and declining consumption

On June 10 and 11, Montepulciano, Italy, hosted the annual meeting of the main national wine associations from Spain, France, and Italy. The event, known as the “Contact Group,” brought together representatives from these countries’ wine sectors along with their national administrations. The goal was to discuss shared challenges and develop unified positions on key issues affecting European wine producers.

During the two-day meeting in the Tuscan hills, the associations issued a joint call to their governments and to European Union institutions. They urged stronger diplomatic efforts and a dedicated EU budget to support the future of the wine sector. The associations highlighted several pressing concerns: ongoing U.S. tariffs on European wines, trade tensions with China, declining wine consumption in Europe, and the broader impact of global conflicts.

The associations called for renewed multilateral dialogue with U.S. authorities to reach a “zero for zero” agreement on tariffs as soon as possible. They argued that such an agreement would bring much-needed stability to wine businesses across Europe. The group also stressed that the EU’s specific budget for wine and agricultural policy is now more important than ever for ensuring the sector’s economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

The meeting took place as Brussels prepares for key discussions on the so-called “wine package,” a set of measures aimed at supporting the industry. In a few weeks, EU heads of state and government will also begin negotiations on the bloc’s budget for 2027 and beyond. The associations said that while they welcome the wine package as a first step, it is essential that EU support for the sector remains strong and is backed by adequate resources. Without this backing, they warned, European wine policy will not be able to meet the challenges facing producers.

The group emphasized that future funding under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must protect national wine programs. They also called for new opportunities within the wine package to help companies struggling with falling consumption and trade barriers. In addition, they defended wine as a product compatible with a healthy lifestyle and expressed hope that upcoming United Nations discussions on non-communicable diseases would not harm the sector’s economic or social viability.

The associations participating in Montepulciano included Spain’s Asociación Empresarial Vinos de España (AEVE), Asociación de Jóvenes Agricultores (ASAJA), Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias de España, Conferencia Española de Consejos Reguladores Vitivinícolas (CECRV), Coordinadora de Organizaciones de Agricultores y Ganaderos (COAG), Federación Española del Vino (FEV), Organización Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE), and Unión de Pequeños Agricultores y Ganaderos (UPA). French groups included FNSEA - Commission Viticole, La Coopération agricole - Vignerons coopérateurs de France (VCF), Vignerons indépendants de France, and Les vins IGP de France (VINIGP). Italian participants were Alleanza delle Cooperative Italiane Agroalimentari, Assoenologi, CIA - Agricoltori Italiani, Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, Copagri, Federdoc, Federvini, FIVI, and Unione Italiana Vini.

The meeting underscored growing concern among Europe’s leading wine-producing nations about external pressures on their industry. With major decisions looming in Brussels and at international forums later this year—including a United Nations meeting in September—the associations are watching closely to ensure that European wine remains protected both at home and abroad. Their message was clear: diplomacy, targeted EU funding, and strong political support are now critical to safeguarding one of Europe’s most important agricultural sectors.