Vol. 15 No. 1 (2026)
Original Research Article

A Delphi Analysis of Italian Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Partial Dealcoholization of PDO and PGI Wines: Navigating Innovation and Territorial Identity

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  • Caterina Fucile Franceschini,
  • Elisa Giampietri,
  • Eugenio Pomarici,
  • Giovanna Sacchi
Caterina Fucile Franceschini
Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Elisa Giampietri
Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Eugenio Pomarici
Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (TESAF), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Giovanna Sacchi
Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/wep-19964

Published 2026-05-20

Keywords

  • Dealcoholized wines,
  • quality wines,
  • Delphi method,
  • wine experts

How to Cite

Fucile Franceschini, C., Giampietri, E., Pomarici, E., & Sacchi, G. (2026). A Delphi Analysis of Italian Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Partial Dealcoholization of PDO and PGI Wines: Navigating Innovation and Territorial Identity. Wine Economics and Policy, 15(1), 87–100. https://doi.org/10.36253/wep-19964

Copyright (c) 2026 Caterina Fucile Franceschini, Elisa Giampietri, Eugenio Pomarici, Giovanna Sacchi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

The growing relevance of No- and Low-alcohol (NoLo) wines, largely produced through post-fermentation dealcoholization techniques, is reshaping the wine sector, driven by evolving consumer preferences and climate-related increases in grape sugar content. Although European Union (EU) legislation permits partial dealcoholization for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) wines, national approaches differ, with Italy maintaining a cautious stance. This study explores wine experts’ perspectives on introducing partial dealcoholization into Italian PDO and PGI specifications through a two-round Delphi survey. It examines levels of acceptance, key conditions, and perceived barriers to its inclusion in official production regulations. Results show broad acceptance for PGI wines, while PDO wines, especially higher-tier categories, face strong resistance due to concerns about authenticity, sensory identity, and cultural heritage. Experts favor naturally low-alcohol wines achieved through viticultural and oenological practices, but recognize the limits imposed by climate change and grape composition. A flexible, integrated approach is therefore suggested, using partial dealcoholization as a complementary tool when necessary. Findings underline the importance of governance, protection Consortia, and transparent labeling, framing partial dealcoholization as a “bounded innovation” whose legitimacy depends on preserving territorial identity, regulatory coherence, and consumer trust. This exploratory study maps stakeholder positions and offers insights for future research and policy development on integrating NoLo wines into geographical indication systems.

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