Garda DOC Sets 9% ABV Cap on NoLo Wines During Garda Wine Stories
At Garda Wine Stories, producers, analysts, journalists and operators debated low-alcohol wines and Garda DOC’s NoLo strategy, announcing the addition of a minimum 9% ABV requirement to the Garda Garganega discipline. Garda DOC President Paolo Fiorini said, “Innovate without losing identity,” noting the consortium was the first in Italy to include a reduced-alcohol category in its rules. He also highlighted that in 2025 the denomination surpassed 23 million bottles produced, a new DOC record.
During the conference, Eugenio Pomarici of the University of Padua outlined NoLo market growth, while Patrick Schmitt MW of The Drinks Business analyzed the UK landscape and Karin Eymael of Weinwirtschaft / Meininger’s International presented German trends. Journalist Alessandra Piubello emphasized the balance between innovation and tradition, and a roundtable moderated by Sissi Baratella underscored the need to continue research, communication and analysis of international markets.
Italian Version