European Wine Summit: Policymakers and stakeholders gather in Taranto to discuss the future of European wine

A call for a forward-looking policy framework to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the EU wine sector

Taranto, 25 June 2026 - More than 130 representatives from European and national institutions, wine companies, winegrowers, academics and sector organisations gathered today in Taranto for the European Wine Summit, organised by the European Committee of Wine Companies (CEEV) in cooperation with its Italian members, Federvini and Unione Italiana Vini (UIV).

The event featured an exceptional level of institutional participation, including European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida by video-message, President of the Italian Trade & Investment Agency (ICE) Matteo Zoppas, Members of the European Parliament, and leading representatives of the European and Italian wine value chains.

The global wine sector is currently navigating a period of profound structural transformation, driven by both market-specific changes and external pressures such as climate change and geopolitical instability. Quantitative data shows that global volume fell from 242 million hectoliters (mln hl) in 2016 to an estimated 208 mln hl in 2025, representing an 14% decrease of consumption over the last decade. After reaching a record value of 38 billion euros in 2022, international wine trade is projected to contract to 33.8 billion euros by 2025.

The Summit highlighted that, in this context, the European wine model-linking local production to global markets through integrated value chains-is a key source of resilience and competitiveness. By securing outlets for production, absorbing market volatility and building brands that travel beyond borders, wine companies connect European terroirs to global consumers and enable thousands of growers to remain viable in an increasingly competitive global economy. This integrated system, where production, innovation and demand operate as one, underpins the €130 billion contribution of wine to the European economy.

Held against the backdrop of unprecedented structural and economic challenges affecting the sector, the Summit provided a platform for policymakers and stakeholders to exchange views on the future of European wine and identify concrete solutions to ensure its long-term sustainability. Discussions highlighted in particular the need to better align EU policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with the economic reality of the sector as a fully integrated value chain to strengthen resilience, investment, competitiveness and sustainable growth across the EU wine value chain.

Participants focused on reinforcing competitiveness, improving wine's attractiveness among consumers, adapting policy instruments to current market realities and ensuring a science-based approach to health-related policymaking. Exchanges also underlined that recognising the role of wine companies as strategic actors of the value chain, strengthening access to global markets, ensuring proportionate and harmonised regulation, and aligning sustainability objectives with economic viability will be essential to support the sector's transition.

Opening the event, CEEV President Marzia Varvaglione stressed the urgency of addressing the sector's current difficulties while maintaining confidence in its future. "We are not here to lament our difficulties. We are here because we believe in wine. European wine embodies history, culture, territories, craftsmanship and conviviality. To secure its future, we need to reconnect with society, attract new adult consumers and reaffirm the value of wine culture as an essential pillar of sustainability," said Marzia Varvaglione, President of CEEV.

Discussions focused on two key themes: the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and the adaptation of support measures for the wine sector, and the relationship between wine, science and health policy. Participants highlighted the importance of ensuring that future EU policies support investment, innovation and competitiveness while preserving the cultural and economic contribution of wine to European rural areas and communities. The Summit also underscored the importance of maintaining stable and predictable trade relations and of strengthening the sector's ability to respond to evolving consumer expectations and global market dynamics.

Discussions also emphasised the importance of ensuring that future CAP measures and the implementation of future policies effectively support investment, innovation and market access, while addressing structural imbalances in a way that preserves the sector's production potential and long-term competitiveness.

Echoing the discussions held throughout the European Wine Summit, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen stated: "European wine is much more than an agricultural product. It is part of our cultural heritage, our regional identities and our rural economies, carrying generations of know-how. Today in Taranto, I wanted above all to listen directly to wine producers and the realities they face at a time of significant market, climate and consumer challenges. This is precisely why we have put forward the Wine Package, to give Member States and the sector practical tools to support adaptation and strengthen competitiveness.This open and continuous dialogue between policymakers and the sector is fundamental to better identify long term solutions for Europe's wine sector".

Commenting on the outcomes of the event, Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of CEEV, stated: "The discussions held today confirmed a broad consensus across the wine value chain and among policymakers: Europe needs a coherent and forward-looking strategy for wine. The sector is facing profound transformations, but it also has strong assets and opportunities. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that policy decisions support resilience, competitiveness and sustainable growth."

The conclusions of the European Wine Summit will contribute to ongoing reflections on the future policy framework for the wine sector at European level and will help inform future discussions with EU institutions and stakeholders.

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