56. European wines: World class under pressure

European wines enjoy a reputation for excellence throughout the world and provide 2.9 million jobs in the European Union. But in many regions, wine is much more than its market value - it's a heritage, the backbone of local identity. But now, with consumption at an all-time low, production costs soaring and the threat - sometimes existential - of climate change, the wine industry has its back up against the wall: to overcome the crisis, it is going to have to adapt. This is the theme of the 56th episode of our Food for Europe podcast. The situation is complex, which is why the European Commission's response consists of a multitude of measures and aids that can be modulated according to the regional and national situation of the vineyard concerned. We talk to Simone Loose, professor of business economics in the wine and drinks sector at the University of Geisenheim in Germany; Valentine Picant, co-owner and manager of Château Hostens-Picant, east of Bordeaux; Luca Rigotti, chairman of Copa-Cogeca's ‘Wine’ working group; and Lavinia Stan, market analyst in the wine sector at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.