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The ever-increasing pressure on consumers not to drink alcohol has triggered a counter-movement. Just recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) published recommendations stating that there is "no health-safe alcohol consumption.".
The Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV), an association of European wine companies, is now launching the counter-campaign "VitaeVino." Their main criticism of the "zero per mille movement" is that the distinction between alcohol abuse and moderate wine enjoyment within a healthy lifestyle is increasingly blurred, and any consumption of alcoholic beverages is cast in a negative light. Moderate and responsible wine consumption, as practiced by most wine enthusiasts, is thus increasingly stigmatized. The dissemination of incomplete and distorted scientific information leads to a black-and-white thinking that increasingly influences legislation worldwide. The consequences are advertising bans, restrictive taxes, and exaggerated health warnings. This existentially threatens the wine culture in Europe and the associated cultural landscapes.
On October 1, the kick-off event for the "VitaeVino" campaign will take place in the European Parliament. At the same time, a website will go live where wine entrepreneurs and wine lovers can express their support for the wine industry by signing the declaration.
(al / Source: The Winemaker)