Rome (dpa) – If you are embracing dry January, why not make it the month you taste some alcohol-free wine? After all, just weeks ago, the Italian government approved the production of non-alcoholic wine after years of resisting the move. As if in time for the month many of us slash our alcohol intake, the ministries of finance and agriculture in Rome signed a decree that officially establishes the tax framework for domestic production of alcohol-free wines. Wine from which the alcohol has been removed has been considered wine in the EU since 2021. But Italy had long resisted adopting this regulation, with winemakers fearing a dilution of Italian wine culture. Some, such as Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party also initially spoke out against the step. But there was a sea change around a year ago as Italy responded to the growing popularity of so-called NoLo wines – with no or low alcohol content – and cleared the way for the production of de-alcoholized wine. All that was needed was a clear legal framework for this was still missing. Now, the decree is signed, providing clarity on excise duties, licences and distribution. It also regulates the approval, storage, administrative obligations and transport regulations for NoLo wines. This will enable wineries to finalize ongoing projects, which, according to Lollobrigida – opens up new opportunities. "I am confident that our producers will achieve excellence in this sector as well," the minister says. Representatives of the wine industry expressly welcomed the move. The demand for wines with lower alcohol content can no longer be considered a fad, but rather a long-term change, they said. Why try going dry? Whether you don't drink alcohol generally, or are reducing your intake, there are more and more opportunities to try alcohol-free drinks. And for many, the start of a new year is associated with fresh attempts at self-improvement and personal growth. One increasingly popular resolution is "Dry January:" a commitment to go alcohol-free for the entire month, according to the British National health Service (NHS). After all, in Britain, one in five adults (about 10 million people) in England regularly drink at levels that significantly increase their risk of harm, at more than 14 units per week (that’s about six pints of normal strength beer or lager, or a bottle and a half of wine, per week). So, for many, no matter where we live, January can provide a perfect opportunity for a reset. After all, 31 days without alcohol can give lots of obvious benefits, like more energy, improved concentration, and boosted mood, as well as a chance to save some money, the NHS health specialists say. It does you good in other ways too. Research shows that a month off alcohol leads to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes risk, as well as lower cancer-related proteins in the blood. The following information is not intended for publication dpa rme xxde hgo nca rdp arw
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