FEDERDOC: NEW "WINE PACKAGE" 2026

This was reported by the Piedmontese representatives of Federdoc (National Confederation of Voluntary Consortia for the Protection of Italian Wine Designations): Filippo Mobrici, national vice president of Federdoc and also vice president of the Barbera d'Asti and Vini del Monferrato Consortium, and Massimo Marasso, national councilor of Federdoc and vice president of the Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti, Gavi and Brachetto d'Acqui Consortia.

At the heart of the new regulatory framework is a strengthening of the role of the Protection Consortia, which are increasingly called upon to become key players in the sector's governance, rather than merely supervisory and promotional bodies.

Among the most significant innovations is the possibility for Consortia to access funds dedicated to wine tourism, officially recognizing the economic, cultural, and identity-building value of a sector that in recent years has proven to be a key driver for the sustainability of denominations.
"It may seem obvious, but it bears repeating: wine tourism only works and makes sense if there are vineyards and winemakers are given the opportunity and dignity to cultivate them to the fullest, protecting the landscape and hills as well as their own income and their own life, culture, and winemaking tradition," observe Marasso and Mobrici.
Alongside the extension of funds for wine tourism to wine consortia, the Wine Package also opens up the possibility of financing the costs of uprooting unprofitable vineyards, through strategic plans. This is a delicate tool, but one deemed necessary to rebalance production potential, avoiding structural surpluses that penalize winemakers' incomes and the image of the appellations. "This is a carefully considered decision that now at least offers protections for winemakers, who will be able to receive financial assistance for uprooting expenses, which could reach up to 100% through the application of European and national funds," commented Filippo Mobrici and Massimo Marasso.

No less significant will be the possibility of resorting to crisis distillation, a measure that has not failed to spark lively debate, but which with the Wine Package is once again being considered (with national funds and EU crisis resources) from a perspective of responsible management of surpluses, especially during periods of contraction in consumption and difficulties on domestic and foreign markets.

On the subject of governance, the new Wine Package reinstates the practice of recommending a minimum price for grapes destined for DOC wines by the Protection Consortia. This is reminiscent of the "Joint Commission" that for years determined the agreement for Moscato Bianco grapes, which was later dissolved due to European antitrust laws. Now, with the introduction of the "recommended price"—which, however, can be suspended, modified, or revoked by national guarantee authorities should they identify competition concerns or concerns about the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)—the aim is to further curb speculation and protect grape producers.

On the promotion front, the Package introduces a highly interesting element: wine promotion funds will be able to benefit from both European (up to 60%) and national (up to 30%) aid, which can be combined—this is the new development—substantially increasing the Consortia's ability to intervene in strategic markets.

This result, as Filippo Mobrici emphasizes, "is the fruit of long and consistent work, including that of the Piedmontese representatives on the Federdoc National Council. This Wine Package," adds the national vice president, "incorporates many of the concerns that Federdoc, with the contribution of myself and my colleague Massimo Marasso, has championed over the years with concrete proposals and actions. Today, we finally have tools that allow the Consortia to plan, govern, and address critical issues in the sector more effectively."
Mobrici, however, looks beyond the immediate horizon: "Now we need a shared vision. It's essential to build real synergy between consortia, production chains, and policymakers to shape the next ten years of Italian and Piedmontese wine."

Massimo Marasso, national councilor for Federdoc, agrees, emphasizing that the Wine Package should be considered a starting point, not a destination. "We have the opportunity," he emphasizes, "to undertake a truly strategic reorganization of the Italian and Piedmont vineyards, moving beyond fragmented interventions and emergency approaches. We need structured projects that combine economic, environmental, and social sustainability."

Both hope that this process can take shape through a sort of "Wine States General," a moment of broad and inclusive discussion that will lead to concrete and coordinated initiatives. A forum for collective development, capable of transforming the opportunities offered by the Wine Package into long-term policies.

In a context marked by climate change, declining consumption, and intense international competition, the Wine Package represents a crucial tool. The challenge now lies in the Italian (and Piedmontese) winemaking system's ability to work together and leverage these new levers not only to manage current challenges, but to build a more balanced, competitive, and informed future.