Assoenologi Congress: Agrigento, the capital of wine and Italian redemption

In Agrigento the 78th National Congress of Assoenologi: “Wine is a pillar of Made in Italy”

AGRIGENTO – In the year of Agrigento Italian Capital of Culture 2025 , the city of temples hosted one of the most significant events in the national agri-food panorama: the 78th National Congress of Assoenologi . A very high-profile event that saw the participation of the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida and the direct support of the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni , who sent a message full of meaning and vision.

“ Wine is synonymous with excellence, work, well-being and records ,” wrote the Prime Minister, “and must be defended from any attempt at demonization.” A recognition that is not only economic, but also cultural and identity-related. “It is celebrated in paintings, literature, landscapes: it is the symbol of our care for the territory,” Meloni emphasized, reiterating that Italy is the world’s leading wine producer and holds the record for the number of certified quality productions .

In her inaugural speech, Minister Lollobrigida recalled the fundamental role of Italian agri-food, “ a sector that is booming ,” with record exports of around 70 billion euros , seven more than two and a half years ago. “Wine is part of our identity,” she said, “we cannot accept misleading labels or alarm systems that paint it as an enemy of health. Instead, it is culture, economy and protection of the landscape.”

Agrigento , with its thousand-year history and its recognition as a cultural capital, offered the ideal setting for this debate. Lollobrigida reiterated that the current government “is on the side of winemakers and the wine sector” and that in Europe Italy will continue to defend geographical indications , promote our excellence and oppose any form of disinformation.

The congress will end on June 28, but the signal sent by Agrigento is already loud and clear: Italian wine is a strategic resource to be protected, talked about and made known to the world , with the expertise and passion that only Italian winemakers can guarantee.

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