Matilde Poggi elected president of the European winemakers

Matilde Poggi is the new President of CEVI (Confédération Européenne des Vignerons Indépendants), the organization that brings together and represents the independent European winemakers, acting as spokesperson before the community institutions of the instances of the Federations that are part of it. After six years as vice-president Matilde Poggi, President in office of FIVI - Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers, succeeds the Frenchman Thomas Montagne who has led it since 2011. Currently, CEVI associations from Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Belgium, Greece, Montenegro and Bulgaria, for a total of about 12,000 Winegrowers . It is the first time that Italy is at the helm of such an important association, the only one that brings the voice of the Independent Winegrowers in Europe, a place where all the decisions concerning agricultural policies are taken. “I thank the European winemakers for their trust - comments the new President Matilde Poggi - and a special thanks to Thomas Montagne for having wanted me as vice-president six years ago: I will work on the path already traced by him. For CEVI it is an important moment and giving the presidency to Italy strengthens the European nature of the Confederation. There are many challenges that await us, first of all the defense of the fruit of our work , wine, an agricultural product with a cultural value that has always been at the center of the Mediterranean diet ". The Independent Winegrowers have a crucial and central role in the supply chain and in the protection of the territory. European agricultural policies must increasingly take into account the many families of winemakers who, starting from their vineyards, come to sell their own bottles, often at the top quality of their appellations. “For us Independent Winegrowers - continues Poggi - the direct relationship with consumers is one of the priorities. We will therefore work to have a true harmonization of the rules for the free circulation of wine bottles within the European Union also as regards sales to individuals. Our commitment will also be great for bureaucratic simplification which, albeit in different ways from country to country, affects the work of all European winemakers too heavily ".

FIVI - Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers The Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers (FIVI) is an association founded in 2008 with the aim of representing the figure of the winemaker in front of institutions, promoting the quality and authenticity of Italian wines. By statute, only producers who meet certain specific criteria can join FIVI: "The FIVI winemaker cultivates his vines, bottles his own wine, personally taking care of his product. He sells all or part of his harvest in bottles, under his responsibility. , with his name and his label ". Currently there are about 1300 associated producers, from all Italian regions, for a total of about 13,000 hectares of vineyards, for an average of about 10 hectares of vineyards per farm. Almost 95 million bottles are marketed and the total turnover is close to 0.8 billion euros, for an export value of 330 million euros. The 13,000 hectares of vineyards are conducted for 51% in an organic / biodynamic regime and for 49% according to the principles of integrated pest management.