The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) hails the success of the Ministerial wine meeting in Brescia, Italy on 12 April 2024. Hosted by Italian Minister for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, the Wine Ministerial Meeting gathered Ministers, Ambassadors and representatives from 20 countries around the world, together with the senior leadership of the OIV, to celebrate the organisation’s centenary.
Brescia, Italy, 12th of April 2024 – OIV Director General John Barker welcomed the opportunity for high-level exchange of views between member countries on the future of the vine and wine sector and the supporting role that the OIV can play. “2024 is an exceptional year for the OIV, marking 100 years since its creation. It is also an important moment for the vine and wine sector, faced with the challenges such as climate change and shifting consumer trends. I congratulate Minister Lollobrigida for initiating this valuable conversation about the importance of wine from an economic, social and cultural perspective. I look forward to continuing this exchange at the Ministerial Conference in France in October this year.”
Challenges and priorities
During the meeting, countries took the opportunity to share their aims and priorities for the wine sector. A strong convergence of views emerged around the value of the sector and the challenges that it faces. Climate change and sustainability were recognised as an essential focus for the future. Countries strongly identified the significance of wine as a cultural asset. Health and wellbeing, the importance of quality production and innovation, the need to understand and adapt to changing consumption patterns and markets, and the need to protect the integrity of wine emerged as topics of high relevance to the wine sector.
The role of OIV
OIV member countries reaffirmed their support for the OIV as the trusted scientific and technical reference for the global wine sector. Director General Barker emphasised the role that the OIV could play in all of the priority areas by developing standards and guidelines, gathering information and communicating with stakeholders.
Next steps
These priorities will be further discussed at a Ministerial Conference to be held in France on 11-13 October 2024, in conjunction with the 45th World Congress of Vine and Wine (14-18 October). At this time, the new headquarters of the OIV headquarters at the Hôtel Bouchu d’Esterno will be formally inaugurated. Director General Barker said: “The Ministerial gatherings, the new headquarters and a new strategic plan will give the OIV great momentum as it enters its second century.”
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine is the intergovernmental organisation of reference with a scientific and technical mission for the global vine and wine sector.
Today, the OIV has 50 Member States, grape and wine producing and consuming countries, representing 75% of the world vineyard area, 87% of world wine production and 71% of world wine consumption. Twice a year, more than 500 experts work together to evaluate, discuss and approve by consensus the resolutions that concern :
1/ Viticulture and table grapes
2/ Oenology and Methods of Analyses
3/ Vine and Wine Law and Economics
4/ Consumer Health and Safety
For a centenary, OIV has been on the full front of global vine and wine issues and a leader in setting standards and harmonising practices for the vitivinicultural sector.
The International Year of Vine and Wine
The OIV is celebrating its centenary in 2024. To mark the occasion, the international organisation has declared 2024 the “International Year of Vine and Wine”.
Details of the OIV’s centenary activities can be found here.
