Tony Loeb

🍷 German wine consumption shrank by 4% in volume and 5% in value between August 2023 and July 2024, as reported by the German Wine Institute and NielsenIQ. A total of 15.9 million hectoliters of wine and 2.6 million hectoliters of sparkling wine were consumed. Economic downturn led to cautious spending, affecting local wineries with a 5% volume and 6% business turnover reduction. Average wine prices dropped by 4 cents per liter in 2024, a first in 15 years. Foreign wines, priced at €3.72 per liter, outperformed German wines (€4.47 per liter), reducing the latter's market share by 1% to 41% in volume and 45% in revenue. Italian wines maintained an 18% volume market share, leading imports, followed by Spanish (14%, down 1%) and French (11%, up 1%). Prowein Düsseldorf 2025, scheduled for March 16-18, may face challenges as Wine Paris gains prominence with 5200 exhibitors in February.

🍻 Nearly three months after Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport introduced a new Highway Code, a survey involving 20,000 restaurateurs reported by Pienissimo—a company supporting restaurateurs, founded by Giuliano Lanzetti of Rimini's Bounty—shows a 59% drop in alcoholic beverage sales, impacting revenue. Lanzetti proposed a draft law to address restaurateurs' struggles without compromising road safety, suggesting a free nighttime shuttle service without an NCC license, and incentives for low-emission vehicles with fiscal deductions up to 50%. He also advocates for national availability of app-based transport services like Uber, with simplified professional qualifications for drivers and locally regulated fares to ensure equity and accessibility.