European Wine Industry Research Articles

Global warming significantly increases the risk of Pierce’s disease epidemics in European vineyards

Pierce’s disease (PD) is a vector-borne disease caused by the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa, which affects grapevines in the Americas. Currently, vineyards in continental Europe, the world’s largest producer of quality wine, have not yet been affected by PD. However, climate change may alter this situation. Here we incorporate the latest regional climate change projections into a climate-driven epidemiological model to assess the risk of PD epidemics in Europe for different levels of global warming. We found a significant increase in risk above +2∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$+\\,2\\,^{\\circ }\\hbox {C}$$\\end{document} in the main wine-producing regions of France, Italy and Portugal, in addition to a critical tipping point above +3∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$+\\,3\\,^{\\circ }\\hbox {C}$$\\end{document} for the possible spread of PD beyond the Mediterranean. The model identifies decreasing risk trends in Spain, as well as contrasting patterns across the continent with different velocities of risk change and epidemic growth rates. Although there is some uncertainty in model projections over time, spatial patterns of risk are consistent across different climate models. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the future of PD at multiple spatial scales (country, Protected Designation of Origin and vineyard), revealing where, why and when PD could become a new threat to the European wine industry.

The agroecological challenges in the wine sector: perceptions from European stakeholders

This article explores the issues surrounding the agroecological transition in the European wine industry, focusing on reducing pesticide use, developing organic certification and using genetic research in relation to resistant grape varieties. The study distinguishes between stakeholders from the wine industry, institutions and the agricultural research sector. The findings consistently identify the agroecological transition as a priority, particularly in terms of pesticide reduction. However, variations exist in the views of the surveyed stakeholders. French and Portuguese stakeholders emphasise the role of market and societal pressures as drivers of the transition, while Italian producers do not. Professionals in France and Portugal express doubts about achieving pesticide reduction through changes in practices, while others stress the importance of regulatory constraints. The research also highlights industry challenges such as decreased consumption due to health awareness and the need for social responsibility. Resistant grape varieties are seen as a viable solution, especially for the development of organic production, but market acceptability remains a significant hurdle. The study sheds light on stakeholder perspectives and challenges, thus contributing to a better understanding of priorities in the European wine industry’s pursuit of sustainable practices.

MAKROEKONOMSKE DETERMINANTE PROIZVODNJE VINA U EUROPSKOJ UNIJI

This paper focuses on the determinants of wine production in the European wine industry. In the last two decades, the European wine industry has undergone many changes due to the entry of new countries into the world wine market. Although increasing competitiveness became the priority of the European Common Agricultural Policy, wine production and consumption in the EU have decreased in the last two decades, and therefore the aim of this research is to analyse and identify the macroeconomic determinants of wine production, i.e. what factors besides the price influence wine production in selected EU countries and in how they can be controlled. Empirical research was conducted using data for EU member states traditionally engaged in wine production. Panel data on wine production, wine consumption, average wine price, wine imports, wine exports and EU support to the wine sector were collected from secondary sources for 15 wine-producing EU countries and for the period 2009-2018. We estimated the econometric model using pooled OLS, as diagnostic tests indicated that this estimator was the best fit for our data. Our results suggest that domestic demand and domestic (EU) subsidies are the main drivers of wine production. To keep up with New World wine producers, even more emphasis should be placed on promoting the wine drinking culture.

Meteorological and Climate Modelling Services Tailored to Viticulturists

Grape production is likewise inherently interconnected to climate and weather, and, although grapes may grow worldwide, premium wine-grape production occurs in Mediterranean-like climate ranges. Changes in climate and weather patterns are threatening premium wine-grapes, directly affecting the European wine industry. This is because grapevines are extremely sensitive to their surrounding environment, with seasonal variations in yield much higher than other common crops, such as cereals. With a view to making South European wine industry resilient to climate change, VISCA (Vineyards Integrated Smart Climate Application) project has deployed a Climate Service (CS) Decision Support System (DSS) tool that provides to wine producers with well-founded information to be able to apply correctly adaptation strategies on specific grape varieties and locations, and to achieve optimum production results (e.g., yield and quantity). In this paper we show the meteorological, seasonal and climatic models and data sets used to answer the viticulturist needs; from short-term and mid-term forecast to seasonal forecast and climate projections.

Does Sustainability Push to Reshape Business Models? Evidence from the European Wine Industry

The wine industry is not free from environmental concerns. The paper intends to explore the owners/managers’ interest in environmental sustainability issues in their business model and to empirically understand a business model in the wine industry. Taking a qualitative approach, this exploratory study allows us to observe the phenomenon in a natural setting. Eleven interviewees were selected from wineries based in France and Italy. The study reveals that sustainability is an important issue in wine businesses that shapes the business model. Highlighting the environmental aspects of wine production, the four components of a business model, i.e., performance, resources, innovation, and value creation (PRIV), have emerged from the interviews. The sustainability and environmental issues are reflected in business models in the wine industry. The paper explains how these components of a business model work together to ensure sustainability practices by wine producers. This study proposes a model for future applications in winery businesses. The paper helps to understand that wine producers are very keen on environmentally friendly wine businesses.

DRIVERS OF WINE PRODUCTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: A MACROECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

Over the last decades, the European wine industry has been object of increased international competition, which has implications for the dynamics of wine production. This paper examines the underlying factors of wine production in the European Union (EU) from a macroeconomic perspective. We apply an expanded Cobb-Douglas production function, which includes monetary indicators. A dynamic panel data GMM approach along with pooled OLS and fixed effect model for the period from 1999-2014 are applied to estimate the model. We find a positive impact from labour, capital and wine export and a negative impact from interest rate to wine production; however, no robust and significant impact is observed from wine import as well as from inflation and exchange rates. Our results indicate that EU wine production is influenced by monetary policy, which could be a useful instrument for policy makers promoting wine production in this region.

The European wine export cycle

Europe is the world's largest wine-producing and wine-exporting region. In recent decades, fostered by the liberalization of international trade, the European wine industry has witnessed an acceleration in its exports, but this increase has been far from steady. It has fluctuated considerably in the short term, where periods of rapid growth have alternated with slow or negative growth. In this context, it is of particular relevance to know the temporal dynamics of the fluctuations in wine exports and to discover whether there are cyclical co-movements with the European wine export cycle. This paper analyzes the cyclical synchronization of wine exports for the ten main European wine-producing countries with the aggregate European wine export cycle since the inception of the European Economic Community. The main objective is to investigate whether there has been a “European” wine export cycle over the last six decades. The cycles of wine exports are obtained using de-trending techniques, and Spearman's rank correlations and concordance indices are calculated to analyze the synchronization and interaction between cycles. The results for the exports, by value, revealed a strong degree of synchronization over the whole period for the majority of the countries, with a tendency to grow over time.

Creating Wine: The Emergence of a World Industry, 1840-1914

Creating Wine: The Emergence of a World Industry, 1840-1914

Restructuring the French Wine Industry: The Case of the Loire

The European wine industry faces a crisis of over production and under-management. French wines in particular, long regarded as the benchmark for quality wine, are experiencing acute difficulties. Over the last 15 years, three major studies have been commissioned and published at government level to address industry problems. Taking the case of the Loire as an example, this research examines what has been proposed and the industry response. The signs of change that can be detected are limited. If nothing is done then restructuring will take place at the hands of indifferent market forces. Some proposals are offered for a framework for the future.

The European Wine Industry

The article on European Wine Industy provides an analysis of the wine industry with particular focus on Europe, although more global trends are indicated. The focus is on the business aspect of the wine industry and how various segments of the market are addressed by different sectors of activities. Readers of this article may want to think about how the industry is going to evolve over the next decade and how the major players are going to defend their position. It also highlights how the power in the industry has moved from the producers to the retailers and when the brandholders are key players.