Wine consortia, towards the decree implementing the 2024 EU Regulation

Italian wine consortia are preparing to enter a new phase, in which they will be called upon to perform broader functions than they do today in the areas of the protection, promotion, enhancement, consumer information, general stewardship, supervision, and management of denominations. This is envisaged by the new “Consortia Decree”, currently under consultation between the Ministry of Agriculture, industry organizations, and regional authorities. The decree will implement EU Regulation 2024/1143, while also incorporating certain provisions contained in the “Wine Package”, definitively approved at the beginning of 2026, and will therefore replace the 2018 decree currently in force. According to WineNews, the draft text currently proposed by the Ministry, which is expected to take into account the industry observations and suggestions made in response to the initial versions, should be discussed with the regions after the summer break. Only then will a clearer picture emerge regarding the possible timeline for its approval.
What is certain is that, compared with the previous decree, the functions of the consortia will be expanded. Among the most anticipated innovations, and as already provided for by the European Regulation itself (which applies to all PDO and PGI products, not only wine products), is the possibility for consortia to provide non-binding indicators capable of guiding the pricing of protected products. Another significant development is the opportunity for consortia to develop wine tourism services within the relevant denomination area, and not only. In addition, consortia will have access to a wider range of supply management tools and will be able to “undertake actions aimed at preventing or countering any marketing measures or practices linked to products and/or services that damage, or risk damaging, the reputation, image, or value of the Geographical Indication (Gi) concerned, including commercial practices that devalue the product and lead to lower prices”.
It is hoped that the approval process will be swift and free from excessive procedural hurdles, so that the consortia responsible for managing denominations can soon benefit from a clear regulatory framework aligned with European provisions, as well as from tools better suited to managing the delicate phase currently facing the Italian wine sector, with all its distinctive characteristics.