One year after the approval of the production of alcohol-free wines in Italy too, the Mef and Masaf interministerial decree on taxation and excise duties arrives
The Mef and Masaf interministerial decree which defines the fiscal framework and the applicable excise duty regime to the production of dealcoholized and partially dealcoholized wines. On Monday, Minister Francesco Lollobrigida explained that there now exists “a clear regulatory framework to be able to produce alcohol-free wines and thus offer new opportunities to businesses”, and added: “I am certain that our producers will be able to achieve positions of excellence in this sector too”.
The provision establishes cwho can carry out dealcoholization processes, under what conditions, with what quantitative limits and under what fiscal controls, introducing specific authorisations, administrative obligations and product circulation rules. In short, it resolves the tax issue after Italy had adapted to European legislation a year ago which authorizes the production of alcohol-free wines.
In this year on the one hand, many producers, including historic wineries, interested in a rapidly growing market, clashed on the other, the champions of the traditional product, against any mix between dealcoholized wine and the classic wine system, considered a threat to the identity of one of Italy’s excellences. «The green light to the interministerial decree represents good news at the end of the year after a troubled 2025 for the sector», commented with satisfaction the general secretary of the Italian Wine Union (Uiv), Paolo Castelletti. «We have done a bit of pressing in recent days – he added Lamberto Frescobaldi, producer and president of Uiv – given that there are many producers who have made investments, even recently”. «This is a fundamental step – he explained Luca Rigottipresident of the wine sector of Confcooperative Fedagripesca – which will allow Italian companies, starting from cooperative wineries, which represent a significant component of national wine production, to finally operate in conditions of competitive equality compared to other European producers”. «The demand for lower alcohol wines – concluded Rigotti – can no longer be considered a trend, but a long-term change».
December 30, 2025
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