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

Wine on the Move: Liz Palmer Reviews the VinGardeValise® Piccolo 5-Bottle and Grande 12-Bottle Wine Suitcases

As 2025 unfolds, I am thrilled to announce that I will explore the world of wine with the VinGardeValise® Piccolo 5-Bottle and Grande 12-Bottle Wine Suitcases.

I have had the opportunity to use both suitcases on long and short-haul flights around Europe in 2024 to test their functionality and durability, and here are some of my findings.

Firstly, I chose two sizes: the Piccolo 5-Bottle Wine Suitcase due to its convenient size as a carry-on, and the Grande 12-Bottle Wine Suitcase for long-haul flights. The VinGardeValise® Wine Suitcases are available in multiple colours, and I was fortunate to find one that perfectly matched our car, adding an extra touch of sophistication to our wine travels.

These wine suitcases are functional; they ensure that each bottle is transported safely and in style. The Piccolo 5-Bottle and Grande 12-Bottle Wine Suitcases feature sturdy exteriors and padded interiors to prevent breakage. Dedicated compartments for each bottle make packing and unpacking effortless, and there is no concern about bottles clinking together or breaking during travel.

In addition to their practicality, these suitcases add a touch of elegance to my travel gear.  I find the availability of multiple colours allows you to find a suitcase that matches your style or even your car. I found that using the Piccolo 5-Bottle Wine Suitcase for shorter trips and the Grande 12-Bottle Wine Suitcase for longer journeys provided the perfect balance of convenience and capacity.

Moreover, these wine suitcases are designed with portability in mind. They feature easy-to-carry handles and smooth-rolling wheels, making transportation a breeze. The compact design ensures they fit easily in car trunks, overhead compartments, or checked luggage spaces.

Overall, the VinGardeValise® Piccolo 5-Bottle and Grande 12-Bottle Wine Suitcases offered an excellent combination of functionality, durability, and style and I’m looking forward to using them again for my 2025 wine travels!

VinGardeValise® is also the #1 Luxury wine travel suitcase collection with national acclaim in over 100 leading publications such as – Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, CNN.com, Food & Wine, Wall Street Journal, Oprah Daily, and USA Today.

VinGardeValise® Specs:

VinGardeValise® Piccolo 5-Bottle Specs:
Dimensions:  9.5”D x 16”W x 22.8”
Weight:  9.5 lbs. [unpacked]
Colors:  This Wine Suitcase comes in 3 colors (black, burgundy, and silver)

VinGardeValise® Grande 12-Bottle Specs:
Dimensions:  27.00″ x 17.75″ x 13.75″
Weight:  13.50 lbs [unpacked]
Colors: This Wine Suitcase comes in 3 colors (black, burgundy, and silver)

Website Link:  https://vingardevalise.com/

Stay tuned for more updates, photos, and stories from my 2025 wine travels!

Southbrook Vineyards Announces the Release of an Exclusive Chef-Signed Wine Collection to Honor Canadian Culinary Stars Competing at the Bocuse d’Or Finale

Southbrook Vineyards, a highly acclaimed organic and biodynamic winery renowned for its innovative approach to natural, small-batch winemaking has announced the introduction of “The Southbrook CHEFS CANADA Limited Edition Set”. This collection is signed by both award-winning Canadian Chef Keith Pears, and the founder of Southbrook, Bill Redelmeier.

The Southbrook CHEFS CANADA Limited Edition Set establishes Southbrook Vineyards as the official wine partner of CHEFS CANADA and pays tribute to the Canadian culinary team participating in the Bocuse d’Or Finale, held at the Sirha in Lyon, France January 27, under the leadership of Chef Pears.

The collection includes magnum bottles of the 2020 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Estate Merlot, and 2020 Poetica Red, presented in an elegant wooden box.. Only 50 sets are available online, HST-exempt until February 15, 2025, at a total price of $442.48. From each sale, $100 will support Team Canada at the Bocuse d’Or.

Link to purchase: Southbrook CHEFS CANADA Limited Edition Set  🏆! Let’s go CANADA🇨🇦

“Representing Team Canada at the Bocuse d’Or is an incredible opportunity to continue striving for perfection in my craft,” said Chef Pears, who hails from Vancouver but resides in Toronto, and is Canada’s Bocuse d’Or candidate. “I’m thrilled about the partnership with Southbrook Vineyards because they share a similar philosophy—approaching their work with thoughtfulness, a dedication to small-batch winemaking, and a focus on the health and vitality of their vineyards”.

Bocuse d’Or was founded in 1987 by legendary French Chef Paul Bocuse and is recognized as the world’s most competitive culinary event. It’s a prestigious platform for nations to spotlight their unique culinary heritage and terroir, while showcasing gastronomical innovation from next-generation chefs.

“We deeply admire the passion, precision, and extraordinary skill that CHEFS CANADA and Team Canada bring to their preparation for the Bocuse d’Or. It’s an honour to support Chef Keith Pears and his team on their inspiring journey toward gold,” said Redelmeier.

Silicon Valley Bank Releases 24th Annual State of the US Wine Industry Report

The Wine industry reset is here, fueled by a generational shift to younger consumers redefining consumption patterns

Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, today released its 2025 State of the US Wine Industry Report. Widely regarded as the leading source of market trends in the premium wine sector, SVB’s annual report provides an analysis of current market conditions and forecasts for the year ahead.

The report uncovered several positive market indicators, despite an overall decline in global wine demand in the last year. The premium wine segment once again demonstrated resilience with small, single-digit sales declines overall, and the top quartile of wineries producing average sales growth of 22%. With total wine consumption decreasing by volume, wine supply is backed up throughout the production and sales channels. While challenging for industry players, the market environment is poised to create some of the most accessible bottle pricing of the last 30 years, a golden era for wine consumers in search of value.

“The wine industry is undergoing a significant change, marking the first demand-based correction in three decades,” said Rob McMillan, Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division founder and author of the report. “We have been predicting a generational shift for many years, and the 2025 report data solidifies the wine industry is now living that reality. Different parts of the industry will heal at different times, but we can expect a continued downturn for some time before we reach flat growth.

No- and low-alcohol wine, white wine and prosecco experienced positive growth, with white wine outpacing red wine sales for the first time in many years. According to the report, varietal shifts from red to white could be a forward indicator that a rotation to younger consumers is underway. More broadly, the youngest consumers are increasingly abstaining from wine altogether or choosing alternatives, all trends expected to persist into 2025 and beyond.

“Consumers are not changing their minds about wine. Older, 60+ year-old consumers who historically index higher for wine purchases are sunsetting, replaced by younger consumers who index lower for wine and prefer other drink categories,” said McMillan. “To restore the balance between demand and supply, growing consumption share with consumers in the 30-45 segment is critical. The industry can shorten the recovery by evolving marketing and promotion strategies to meet that consumer at their value points.”

The 2025 SVB report examines the latest consumption, pricing and sales data as well as the most promising wine industry marketing strategies. It provides an in-depth analysis of the key trends and data impacting the US wine industry:

  • Total wine category sales will end 2024 with negative volume growth, between minus 3% and minus 1%.
  • The weighted average of wineries produced a 3.4% revenue decline, with the top quartile seeing an average of 22% revenue growth, and the bottom quartile seeing a 16% revenue decline.
  • Wholesale-heavy wineries fared worse than direct-to-consumer-focused brands.
  • Tasting room visitation is predicted to be slightly lower in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • California- and Washington-planted acreage exceed demand while Oregon is closer to being in balance with demand.
  • 42% of winery survey respondents said they will take a small price increase in 2025, which may prove difficult in an over-supplied market with prevalent discounting.

Read the full 2025 State of the Wine Industry report here: www.svb.com/trends-insights/reports/wine-report.

US Treasury Proposes New Alcohol Label Rules

The United States Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has proposed new regulations requiring alcoholic beverage labels to include detailed information on alcohol and nutritional content. This proposal aims to introduce an “Alcohol Facts” label, akin to the “Nutrition Facts” label found on food products, to provide consumers with comprehensive information about the beverages they consume.

The proposed “Alcohol Facts” label would include disclosures on the alcohol percentage by volume, alcohol content in fluid ounces, calories, carbohydrates, fat, and protein for wines, distilled spirits, and malt beverages such as beer. Additionally, the TTB has proposed a rule mandating the listing of major food allergens on alcoholic beverage labels. These proposed regulations align with the recommendations from the February 2022 Treasury Department report titled “Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits,” which suggested revisiting labelling requirements to include alcohol content, nutritional information, and serving sizes.

References:

  1. S. Department of the Treasury. (2022). Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits.
  2. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). (2023). Proposed Regulations on Alcoholic Beverage Labeling.