Moldova to Host 46th World Congress of Vine and Wine

Moldova is set to become the world capital of wine as it hosts the 46th World Congress of Vine and Wine from June 16 to 20, 2025. This event, organized by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), will take place in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to France Corina Călugăru states – “It is an honor for the Republic of Moldova to be the global capital of wine in 2025. This event will highlight the efforts and enthusiasm of Moldovan producers, who turned winemaking into a reference sector for the country’s economy.”

OIV Director General John Barker said that the theme of this year’s congress reflects the organization’s strategic priorities: “Charting the Future of Vine and Wine: Embracing Resilience, Elevating Value, Fostering Innovation”. Barker also noted that Moldova has a “special calling” for winemaking, and this sector represents a fundamental element of the economy, culture and national history.

In the same connection, state secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry Andrian Digolean highlighted the spectacular progress of Moldovan winemaking. “Ten years ago, this was a dream, and today it has come true. Moldovan wines are present in over 70 countries and have won over 7,000 international awards in the last decade.”

This is an exciting time for Moldova and the global wine community! 🍷

Source:   International Organization of Vine and Wine

WHO [Europe] highlights Nordic alcohol monopolies as a comprehensive model for reducing alcohol consumption and harm

The Nordic alcohol monopolies, stores that have the exclusive right to sell most alcoholic beverages in Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands, have contributed to relatively low alcohol consumption and reduced alcohol-related harm in the Nordic countries. This is a part of the WHO European Region historically known for harmful drinking patterns and high levels of associated harm.

Alcohol consumption levels in the European Union (EU) have remained largely unchanged for over a decade, making it the subregion with the highest consumption levels globally. The EU is currently not on track to meet the global and regional reduction targets for alcohol consumption.

To address this, the public health community is looking at good practices across EU countries, where alcohol consumption has been decreasing or has been kept at low levels.

The new WHO/Europe report “Nordic alcohol monopolies: understanding their role in a comprehensive alcohol policy and public health significance” highlights a comprehensive model used in the Nordic countries that other EU countries could learn from.

A model for reducing harm

Unlike for-profit alcohol sales models, the Nordic approach (excluding mainland Denmark and Greenland) restricts alcohol availability and minimizes commercial influence by preventing grocery stores and private retailers from selling stronger alcoholic beverages.

State-owned monopolies – ÁTVR in Iceland (with Vínbúðin as the retail store for alcohol), Systembolaget in Sweden, Alko in Finland, Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins in the Faroe Islands, and Vinmonopolet in Norway – operate with a clear mission: to protect public health over profit.

With limits on outlet numbers and sale hours and days, strict enforcement of age controls, and no marketing or discount pricing, these monopolies emphasize managing alcohol as a product with inherent risks, rather than treating it as an ordinary consumer product.

“This public health-first approach in the management of alcohol retail sales in Nordic countries is a great demonstration of alcohol policies that work,” says Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, Regional Adviser for Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Prison Health at WHO/Europe.

“Countries with state-owned monopolies have lower per capita alcohol consumption compared to the EU average, and generally have lower rates of alcohol-attributable harms, which span from liver disease, cancers and cardiovascular conditions to injuries and drownings.”

Challenging pressures and threats

Despite the monopolies’ strong public support and proven health benefits, recent legislative initiatives in several Nordic countries signal a potential shift toward privatization of retail alcohol sales, which could undo decades of public health gains.

In Finland, for example, recent policy changes have allowed the sale of a large proportion of alcoholic beverages outside monopoly stores, and there is ongoing consultation on permitting home delivery of alcohol. Similarly, in Sweden, a new court case challenges the monopoly’s exclusive rights to online sales, while proposed laws would permit farm sales of alcoholic beverages.

“There is consistent evidence that the structure of the retail alcohol distribution system – in other words, how, when and where alcohol is sold – significantly affects alcohol sales,” adds Dr Ferreira-Borges. “Government monopolies on off-premises retail sales have been shown to reduce alcohol consumption while privatizing alcohol sales tends to increase consumption.”

Two significant real-world privatization events illustrate how allowing alcohol sales in grocery stores in the 1960s has historically resulted in increased consumption and associated problems in Finland and Sweden. These findings suggest that the Nordic monopolies’ strict regulation of alcohol availability and elimination of promotion and marketing at sales outlets, including online stores, are key features that contribute to reduced alcohol consumption at the population level in their respective countries.

“WHO/Europe emphasizes that expanding alcohol availability could reverse the positive public health indicators that Nordic countries have achieved over decades of controlled alcohol sales,” Dr Ferreira-Borges concludes.

A global best-practice model at risk

Nordic alcohol monopolies serve as models worldwide, showcasing the benefits of recognizing alcohol as a harmful product with considerable social, economic and health impacts that requires specific approaches to management.

They align closely with WHO’s 3 recommended best buys (affordable, feasible and cost-effective intervention strategies) for alcohol control: increasing taxes/raising prices, restricting availability and restricting advertising. These have consistently shown to be the most effective means of reducing alcohol-related harm on a broad scale.

Source: World Health Organization

Italy’s Wine Exports Soar: September 2024 Analysis

Italy, the world’s wine epicentre, achieved remarkable milestones in September 2024, solidifying its position as a leader in global wine export by volume. Italian wines, renowned for their diversity, quality, and rich heritage, have captivated audiences worldwide. Below, I delve into the top ten markets driving the success of Italian wine exports, offering insights into evolving consumer preferences and cultural affinities.

Top 10 Export Markets for Italian Wine

  1. United States (24%)
    The U.S. retains its spot as the largest consumer of Italian wines, reflecting the American love for iconic varietals like Chianti, Prosecco, and Barolo. This quarter’s exports showcase Italy’s deep-rooted influence on American wine culture, particularly among millennials and Gen X.
  2. United Kingdom (20%)
    The U.K. remains a steadfast partner, with British consumers eagerly reaching for Italian reds and sparkling wines. Despite global economic shifts, Italy’s premium selections charm the British palate.
  3. Germany (6%)
    With its sophisticated and detail-oriented wine culture, Germany steadily increases its consumption of Italian wine, notably organic and sustainable vintages, which appeal to eco-conscious drinkers.
  4. Russia (5%)
    While geopolitical complexities persist, Italy’s wines maintain a foothold in Russia, where European vintages are steadily gaining traction among urban elites.
  5. France (5%)
    In an intriguing market dynamic, Italy’s wine exports to France underscore cross-border appreciation. French consumers favour distinctive Italian wines like Amarone and Nero d’Avola, offering a complement to their domestic preferences.
  6. Canada (5%)
    Canada, with its multicultural demographic, remains a valuable partner for Italy’s export growth. The popularity of Italian wine among Canadians reflects shared values of quality and craftsmanship.
  7. Belgium (4%)
    Belgium’s rich culinary heritage and established wine traditions make it a loyal market for Italian vintages. Prosecco, in particular, enjoys increasing favour in celebratory settings.
  8. Switzerland (3%)
    Swiss buyers lean towards high-end Italian wines, often pairing them with fine dining experiences. This market highlights a preference for both tradition and exclusivity.
  9. Latvia (3%)
    Latvia represents a rising star in Italy’s export landscape. Growing interest in medium-priced wines signals a burgeoning sophistication in wine culture.
  10. Austria (2%)
    Rounding out the top ten, Austria’s wine market reflects its preference for regional balance and traditional winemaking, aligning perfectly with Italy’s offerings.

The Road Ahead

Italy’s wine sector continues to explore untapped markets while deepening its ties with existing ones. Exporters are leveraging storytelling, wine tourism, and sustainability credentials to maintain Italy’s edge in a competitive global market.

Source: Italy’s National Institute of Statistics (Istat)

Unlocking the Digital Future: Liz Palmer’s Insights at the 8th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism

Liz Palmer Presents at the 8th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism: Strategies for Crafting and Preserving a Strong Digital Brand for the Wine Tourism Industry

The 8th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism, held in Yerevan, Armenia, from September 11 to 13, 2024, hosted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, stands as a landmark event in the wine tourism industry. The conference theme, “Heritage in Every Bottle: Crafting Authentic Wine Tourism Experiences,” highlights the essential balance between modernizing wine tourism and preserving cultural heritage.

The conference provided an unparalleled platform for experts in the burgeoning field of wine tourism to collaborate on finding tangible solutions to make tourism a driver for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for communities. Attendees included renowned producers, tourism professionals, government officials, and representatives from international organizations.

I was thrilled to be asked to be a keynote speaker on Digital Branding in Wine Tourism. My presentation, titled “Strategies for Crafting and Preserving a Strong Digital Brand for the Wine Tourism Industry,” covered several key topics:

  1. What is Digital Branding?
  2. Evolution of Digital Branding
  3. Key Trends (2020-2024)
  4. How Digital Branding Drives Success in Wine Tourism
  5. Current Trends in Digital Branding for Wine Tourism
  6. 10 Key Elements for Structuring an Effective Digital Brand Strategy

I’m also delighted to share my presentation from the 8th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism in Armenia, 2024

Here it is on Slideshare + available to download: https://tinyurl.com/4peyfrye

Wine Industry Study Finds Growing Use of SMS, Online Chat & Age Gates in 2025

VinterActive, a leader in direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing within the wine industry, has published its latest research report, VinQuest™ 2025: Adoption of SMS Marketing, Online Chat & Age Gates by U.S. Wineries. This rigorous study, utilizing a methodology with a 3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level, presents pivotal benchmarks in contemporary wine marketing practices:

  • 20% of U.S. wineries have implemented online age gates to prevent underage website visitors.
  • 13% of U.S. wineries offer an option for website visitors to engage via text messaging.
  • 3% of U.S. wineries provide an online chat feature.

Bryan St. Amant, Founder & CEO of VinterActive, underscored the significance of these findings: “As competition evolves, wine marketing benchmarks help merchants make better business decisions. Since the impact of email and social media is well documented in the wine industry, it’s time to look ahead by focusing on emerging digital marketing tools.”

Key Research Findings

This study involved detailed surveys of 500 winery websites, randomly selected from the top nine U.S. wine-producing states. It revealed critical insights into:

  • The variability of digital wine marketing tactics across different U.S. wine regions.
  • The types of online age gates currently deployed by U.S. wineries.
  • The nature of consumer consent is collected when visitors opt-in to receive SMS messages.

Implications for U.S. Wineries

The complete report, VinQuest™ 2025: Adoption of SMS Marketing, Online Chat & Age Gates by U.S. Wineries, further delves into how these findings translate into opportunities and risks for individual wine brands, wine regions, and the broader U.S. wine industry in 2025.

For more information or to request a complimentary copy of this research report, visit  VinterActive Research.