Should Wine Also Become UNESCO Heritage? Yes, But New Certification Criteria Must Be Imagined

EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen has proposed that the culture of wine and vine be officially recognized as UNESCO World Heritage, citing its deep roots in European and Italian tradition. While wine-related practices like Pantelleria’s 'vite ad alberello' and various vineyard landscapes are already protected, this new proposal seeks a broader, more unified cultural designation for the industry.

This move highlights the ongoing debate regarding how UNESCO categorizes intangible heritage and the potential for political or economic distortion. Critics argue that a broad European designation might unfairly exclude non-European wine history or dilute the prestige of the certification, suggesting instead that new, specific criteria for enogastronomic excellence should be developed to better reflect historical and cultural significance.