Drinking a glass of wine at lunch or dinner is a personal choice yet is also part of the Mediterranean diet. Consequently, very moderate and balanced consumption can be can well accompany the food we eat. When talking about wine, we are not merely talking about alcohol: It is a unique product, not the least for its microbiological effects. Food and drink are not simply about nutrition and survival: They are aspects of what makes life enjoyable and also play a central role in our European heritage. What we eat and drink is part of who we are." So said the European Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare, Oliver Varhelyi, today on his first ever visit to Vinitaly (scheduled until Wednesday 9 April at Veronafiere).
During the 57th edition of the international wine and spirits trade fair the Commissioner took part in the conference "Prospects for the wine sector, its importance in a healthy and balanced diet and as a cornerstone of Europe's cultural and food heritage", organised by the Ministry of Agriculture.
"Wine embodies a European tradition going back thousands of years,” Várhelyi went on. And here too, in the splendid city of Verona, wine dates back to antiquity. Although Italian wine production is a more recent development, it already boasts 60 years of history and has grown today into a global phenomenon. I am here to learn more about this world and the contribution Italy makes as the cradle of the Mediterranean diet."
Commissioner Várhelyi also spoke during the debate over providing correct information concerning the consumption of alcohol: "People," he said, “must receive all the information available so that they can make personal choices that support their health. Public policy is important but so is an ability to influence individual choices. Italy is a fine example: the Mediterranean diet is a daily choice for millions of Italians all over the world. We know that consumption of alcohol, provided it is balances, does not impact longevity.