European consumers’ interest toward nutritional information on wine labeling: A cross-country analysis^*

¹ Department of Economic and Legal Studies, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Italy
² Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
³ Department of Agriculture, University of Naples Federico II, Italy

Abstract

This paper explores, through an empirical analysis European consumers’ interest toward nutritional information on wine labels, examining interest, knowledge and understanding of these information. In this regard, results from direct survey with a cross-country sample of 500 wine consumers (i.e. respondents drinking at least once a month) living in Italy, France and Spain are presented and discussed. Preliminary results reveal that consumers are quite confused about the nutritional aspects of wine and tend to be interested in receiving nutritional information on wine labels. However, the interest expressed towards this kind of information differ from country to country and is influenced by other socio-demographic variables. Findings from current research should be valuable to contribute to the debate on updating international and national standards on wine labelling concerning nutrition. At the same time, the research provides a number of useful indications for policy makers in defining future development of wine nutritional labelling programs and in implementing strategies focused in enhancing efficacy and readability of labels.