In recent years, the relationship between alcohol consumption and health has become one of the most hotly debated topics—across scientific circles, the media, and social networks. And wine, with its strong symbolic, cultural, and emotional charge, often finds itself at the heart of this conversation.
Every week, a new study seems to overturn the last: some say a glass of wine a day is good for the heart, while others claim that even a single sip increases the risk of cancer. This constant back-and-forth—amplified by alarmist headlines and algorithms that reward outrage—creates confusion. Instead of helping people make informed choices, it often leads to anxiety or ideological reactions.
I recently listened to a very insightful Wine Enthusiast podcast that called out the misleading nature of the headlines used to promote the growing wave of anti-alcohol research.
As a producer—but first and foremost as a passionate consumer—I believe it’s only right to acknowledge that excessive alcohol consumption can be harmful. But it’s equally important to recognize that how we talk about this risk makes all the difference. Between “drink responsibly” and “any amount is dangerous,” there is a wide space for common sense. Especially when no distinction is made between a glass of wine with dinner and weekend binge drinking.
Many recent studies challenge the idea that moderate consumption brings benefits—and some do so with scientific rigor. But others reveal obvious limitations: questionable methodologies, lack of control over key variables, and unfair comparisons between drinkers and non-drinkers (the latter often including those who quit due to health problems). Between romanticization and condemnation, wine deserves a more honest perspective.
“What about alcohol-free wine?”
People ask me this a lot. We’ve considered it—but at least for now, it’s not something we believe in.
Personally, I’ve tasted some impressive non-alcoholic spirits and beers. But the alcohol-free wines I’ve tried so far just didn’t move me. They lacked emotion, identity. And to me, wine is above all else a cultural, agricultural, emotional act. Rather than chasing the zero-alcohol trend, we’ve been working for years on producing lighter wines that still reflect their origins. It’s not easy—especially in a warm region like ours—but it’s a real challenge, and one worth pursuing.
In the end, moderation is, now more than ever, a sign of maturity. There are no shortcuts—on either side of the debate. But good information must be sought, not passively absorbed. Health should be listened to, not politicized. And wine—if enjoyed with respect, awareness, and pleasure—can remain part of a balanced life, without needing grand declarations.
Prosit, as an act of culture.
