Giuridico e Amministrativo

🍕 Paolo De Simone was awarded the "Biodiversità d’Italia" by Le Guide "Pizza&Cocktail" 2025 of Identità Golose at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan. De Simone, an Ambassador of the Mediterranean Diet, owns four Modus Milano locations. Known for combining authentic Cilento ingredients with the Mediterranean diet, Modus Milano ranked 65th in the 50 Top Pizza World and 29th in the 50 Top Pizza Italia in 2024.

📈 Irish food and beverage exports hit a record €17 billion in 2024, up 5% from the previous year. Meat sector exports grew by 6% to €4.3 billion, seafood reached €595 million (+9%), dairy remained stable at €6.3 billion, and beverage exports jumped 19% to €2.1 billion. Whiskey exports alone increased by 13%. Italian market valued at over €465 million, with beef (84% of meat exports) at €233 million. EU accounts for 35% of Irish exports, with notable growth in UK (+7%) and North America (+14%). Exports to Asia fell, with pork to China under €100 million and dairy down 12%. Africa rose by 10%, reaching €950 million.

🍷 Vito Intini, President of ONAV (Organizzazione Nazionale Assaggiatori di Vino), emphasizes the importance of drinking education in response to the new rules of the Road Code, suggesting that wine lovers learn without risking their license. ONAV promotes responsible drinking practices, such as scheduling early thematic evenings, serving less wine, and not concentrating tastings at the end of the session. ONAV's sections are equipped with breathalyzers for safety, and it advises organizing wine events in locations accessible by public transport or with shuttle services, and recommending moderation and shared driving responsibilities.

🍰 Caffè Gilli di Firenze won first place at the third edition of the "Cantuccio classico di pasticceria" contest, judged by a panel considering 24 confectionery shops in the Florentine metropolitan area. The award celebrates Caffè Gilli's high-quality ingredients, craftsmanship, and innovation in their cantucci variants. Caffè Gilli, founded in 1733 and located in Florence's Piazza della Repubblica, is the oldest pastry shop in Florence and the second oldest in Italy, known for its traditional Florentine sweets and Schiacciata fiorentina. The award-winning cantucci and other flavors are available at the shop and online at caffegilli.com.

🍷 The Brunello di Montalcino Consortium restarted from the United States with "Benvenuto Brunello" in New York on February 4, showcasing the 2020 vintage and 2019 reserve at GH on the Park, Manhattan. Over 450 U.S. operators and press members met with 34 producers. The consortium's president, Fabrizio Bindocci, noted the U.S. market's importance, receiving over 30% of their exports. Despite a 2% increase in internal sales of Brunello in 2024, challenges in 2025 include health label discussions and potential tariffs by President Trump. The event featured a "walk-around tasting", seminars, 3D wine maps by Pierre Le Hong, and a cocktail dinner at The Skylark with views of the Empire State Building.

🍕 Klaus Palumbo, owner of Acquaefarina in Trento, awarded special prize in the Pizzeria dell’Olio category at Evoluzione's 7th edition on January 27. Ceremony held at The Hive Hotel in Rome, honored by Oleonauta and La Pecora Nera Editore for high-quality Evo oil. Palumbo, born in Naples in 1972 and Trentino resident since 1998, opened Acquaefarina in 2017. He is a Brand Ambassador for Trentino-Alto Adige of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana and a member of Ambasciatori del Gusto since 2023.

🏠 HUB161, created by Sicilian designer Raffaella Verri Zorzi, showcases Italian excellence, grouping 16 high-quality partners like Pimar Limestone and Scianna Ceramiche. Launched in Milan, HUB161 aims to promote the stories, skills, and products of Italian artisans and brands internationally and has been presented at Garage Italia. It seeks to connect craftsmen with professionals and increase visibility through digital content, events, and targeted collaborations.

🔫 Federvini and DISCUS urged to prevent the reintroduction of tariffs on spirits in transatlantic trade, highlighting the sector's support for 2 million jobs and a 450% growth from 1997 to 2018, reaching $200 billion. Imposed tariffs between 2018-2021 saw a 20% decrease in US whiskey exports to the EU and a 41% decrease in Italian liquor exports to the US. Without action, EU tariffs on US whiskey could increase to 50% from April 1, 2025, threatening the +60% recovery between 2021-2023. The US is the top market for Italian spirits, with a 13% share and a value of nearly €190 million from January-October 2023, up 7.4% from the previous year.

🍷 The Old Vine Registry achieved 4,000 entries from 39 countries, with a goal of 10,000 by 2027. Jancis Robinson initiated the catalog over 15 years ago. In June 2023, an online database was launched for old vineyards. The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) defined 'old vine' as 35+ years, and 'old vineyard' as 85% of vines being 35+ years. The non-profit seeks volunteers and financial donors via oldvineregistry@gmail.com.

📈 Five years since leaving the EU at the end of January, the UK faces mixed outcomes according to "The Brexit Files" by 'Uk in a changing Europe'. Brexit is predicted to reduce import/export volume by 15% long-term. Negative Brexit impact on GDP could exceed 5%, yet financial services remain strong and service trade is positive. UK's economy has declined post-Brexit, pre-pandemic levels like other major European economies. IMF forecasts UK growth at 1.5% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026, surpassing the Eurozone.