Italy’s government has officially greenlit the domestic production of alcohol-free wine, with Finance and Agriculture Ministers signing a decree Tuesday that sets the tax framework, excise duties, licensing, storage, and distribution rules for NoLo (no/low alcohol) wines, resolving months of industry anticipation.
The move ends prolonged resistance since the EU recognized dealcoholized wine in 2021, as Italian winemakers feared cultural dilution; even Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida of the Brothers of Italy party initially opposed it, but 2024’s surging NoLo popularity prompted the policy shift.
Lollobrigida expressed confidence in producers achieving excellence in this sector, while industry representatives hailed the clarity as vital for finalizing projects, viewing low-alcohol demand as a permanent market evolution rather than a fleeting trend.
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