Giuridico e Amministrativo

🏠 Bergamo is set to increase its tourist tax from 6% to 7% of the total cost of accommodation. The hike, however, won't affect hotel guests who already often pay the maximum cap of €5 per day per person, primarily impacting those staying in non-hotel facilities (B&Bs, holiday homes, room rentals).

🍷 Ca' Rugate, led by Michele Tessari, is a historic winery founded in the early 1900s in Val d'Alpone, the cradle of Soave Classico and Garganega. Originally marketing bulk wine, the Tessari family evolved in the 1970s, moving away from cooperatives to manage their grapes independently, leading to the establishment of "Agricola Tessari Fulvio e figli" in 1986, which later became Ca' Rugate. The winery, initially focused on white wines, owns 45 hectares in Soave Classico, expanded by 40 hectares in Valpolicella in 1999, and added 5 hectares of Lessini Durello in 2008. Producing about 750,000 bottles annually, with half destined for international markets, the winery emphasizes indigenous varieties. Michele Tessari's entry into the company in 2001, after earning a degree in Enology, marked a significant shift towards organic management started in 2017. Ca' Rugate also promotes the region through numerous projects and offers a Wine Museum and Educational Farm in Veneto, becoming a Social Farm in 2023.

🏢 In 2025, Trenitalia's Regionale will introduce 100 new trains with an investment of €850 million, anticipating over 430 million travelers. By 2027, the fleet will be 80% renewed with 1,061 new trains, thanks to a total investment of €7 billion. The previous year, 2024, saw 415 million passengers, an increase of 8 million from the previous year, with around 45% traveling for leisure and tourism. Digital Ticket usage rose to 43%, and intermodal links reached about 200 nationwide. The Giubileo 2025 initiatives include Metrebus ticket sales on the Trenitalia APP and extended Leonardo Express services.

🥃 The Consorzio Nazionale Grappa, in collaboration with ICQRF, halted the sale of counterfeit Grappa products in Sweden that misused the "Grappa" geographical indication and falsely labeled as "Gran Riserva Superiore". ICQRF's web monitoring led to the discovery of flavorings for "do-it-yourself Grappa" production involving mixing with alcohol. The issue was resolved through a cooperation procedure with Swedish authorities, resulting in the cessation of production and sale of the illicit product.

🍷 In 2024, Denominazione di Origine Controllata Prosecco surpassed 660 million bottles, a 7% increase from the previous year, totaling around €3.6 billion in consumption value. Prosecco DOC Rosé saw over a 20% sales rise compared to 2023, with approximately 60 million bottles sold. The Prosecco DOC Consortium, led by President Giancarlo Guidolin, aims to ensure value stability and quality excellence, looking forward to 2025 with confidence.

📑 The European Union adopted a regulation on December 16 to tighten rules on recycling and reuse of packaging, aiming for a 5% reduction by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040. It highlights 186.5 kg of waste per capita annually with 36 kg from plastic (20%). The EU will ban single-use plastic packaging by 2030, including for food and drinks in bars and hotels. Companies offering takeout must allow customers to use their own containers at no extra cost. Italy is second only to the UK (70%) and Spain (67%) in packaging polymer dependency.

🚨 On December 14, 2024, Italy enforced stricter road traffic laws, including heightened penalties for driving with blood alcohol levels between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per liter, carrying fines up to €2,170 and license suspension for 3 to 6 months. Penalties double for levels above 0.8 grams per liter with possible arrest up to six months. Wine producer Sandro Bottega criticized the new rules, arguing they penalize moderate alcohol consumption without data linking it to increased traffic accidents. He suggests harsher penalties should target those exceeding 1 gram per liter instead.

🍋 Limone di Siracusa IGP's digital advertising campaign will run until January 5, 2025, across Milano Centrale, Roma Termini, and Roma Tiburtina stations. Launched on December 23 with an average of 30 showings per hour over 19 hours daily, it targets a potential reach of over 12 million people. Sponsored by Consorzio di tutela del Limone di Siracusa IGP and co-funded by the EU, it celebrates a world-unique product during its peak production season from November to April. The campaign coincides with the "Primofiore Invernale" lemon harvest. The Consortium, established on July 13, 2000, includes 163 members and represents 100% of Limone di Siracusa IGP production, which is 32% of Italy's total.

🏖 Paolo Vitelli, President and founder of Azimut Benetti, passed away tragically and prematurely. Leading the National Association of Marine Industry from 1998 until 2006, Vitelli was pivotal in promoting 'Made in Italy' and achieving global excellence in yacht design and construction. Confindustria Nautica, with profound sorrow, acknowledges his visionary legacy, uniting industry members in mourning. The association extends condolences to his daughter Giovanna, family, and Azimut Benetti employees. Genova, January 1, 2025.

📆 In 2025, the UK might grant an extra holiday to mark the 80th anniversary of WWII's end. Commemorations on May 8th could lead to a holiday on May 9th or 12th, or an extended weekend with August 25th, creating a 4-day bridge. Polls show strong support for the idea in the UK.