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Cheers To 2025? Sparkling Wine Production And Exports In The EU Decline By 8%

As the New Year has already passed, many had eagerly anticipated a glass of bubbly to ring in the celebrations. However, this year, fewer bottles were available for toast, as production and exports of sparkling wine from the EU saw a sharp decline in 2023 due to the impact of extreme weather on vineyards.

According to the latest Eurostat data, the EU produced 1.496 billion litres of sparkling wine in 2023, a decrease of 8% compared to the previous year. Italy remained the leader in production, contributing 638 million litres, followed by France with 312 million litres and Germany with 263 million litres.

In terms of exports, the EU shipped 600 million litres of sparkling wine to non-EU countries in 2023, marking another 8% drop. Italy’s Prosecco claimed the top spot in exports, representing nearly half of the total, while French Champagne followed at 15%, Spanish Cava at 10%, and sparkling wines from fresh grapes at 17%.

Climate Change’s Role In Production Decline

One of the key factors behind the production slump is the changing climate. Heavy rains, droughts, and storms, all exacerbated by climate change, are having a direct impact on vineyards, altering the taste of wine and, in some cases, threatening the very existence of certain varieties.

In Italy, extreme weather events and soil degradation have led to reduced grape yields, endangering Prosecco production, which is expected to decline by up to 20%. Similarly, Spain’s Cava is facing challenges from severe droughts, particularly in Catalonia, where many villages depend on water-intensive viticulture. Despite hopes that 2025 will bring more rainfall, major producers are urging the Spanish government to adopt irrigation solutions and other measures to address the growing threat of water shortages.

In response to the region’s chronic water shortages, Catalonia’s regional government has unveiled a €2.3 billion investment plan, set to span until 2040. The plan includes a €200 million seawater desalination plant on the Costa Brava, but financial backing from the Spanish government will be crucial for its success.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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