Low-alcohol wine, Finland’s end to monopoly is good news for Italy

Great news for Italian wine caught between a decline in international consumption and health attacks. Last June, a law passed by the Helsinki Parliament came into force in Finland, liberalizing the trade of alcoholic beverages with natural fermentation up to 8 degrees. Finland (5.5 million inhabitants, 30 million bottles of wine imported per year from Italy and a per capita consumption of 10 liters) is not a strategic market for wine made in Italy, however, the decision could open up new spaces for low alcohol and zero alcohol products for wine in general. In Northern European countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland) the sale of alcohol is not free but is managed by the State through a public monopoly. A bit like what happens in Italy with tobacco. And this decision by the Finnish Parliament could open a breach in a regime that has been staunchly defended up to now. In essence, alcoholic products obtained from natural fermentation such as wine, cider, beer and dealcoholized ...