Yesterday, December 10, 2025, in New Delhi, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee unanimously approved the inclusion of Italian cuisine in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its identifying, cultural, and social role.
Not just food, but also daily practices that embody food and wine culture, culinary traditions, and rural practices. This heritage integrates knowledge, rituals, and gestures which, through a creative and artisanal use of materials, have shaped a shared socio-cultural identity that is, at the same time, extraordinarily varied geographically.
In short, we can finally say that Italian cuisine, with its wines and associated practices, is now a World Heritage.
A Complex System
UNESCO describes the act of Italian-style cooking as a dynamic community practice, fundamental for the construction of the national gastronomic identity. It is not just about recipes, but a living heritage supported by the intergenerational dimension: the transmission of knowledge and the often interchangeable roles strengthen the sense of belonging and allow for constant evolution.
This system, which unites territory, tradition, and social relations, is enhanced by the attention to ingredients, the rituals of the table, and the ability to adapt to social changes.
UNESCO recognizes a universal value in this ability to renew itself and encourage broad and inclusive participation, which contributes significantly to the safeguarding and dissemination of Italian intangible heritage.
The Value of Food and Wine
Trade associations welcomed the UNESCO recognition with exultation, emphasizing how food and wine culture is an integral and indissoluble element of Italian cuisine, extending far beyond just food.
Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), defined the achievement as a “lifetime achievement award, but with many long centuries still ahead,” proudly stating that “the Italian wine world exults, because it is part of it: on the table, along with Italian cuisine, there is also its wine.”
A sector that proves to be a veritable mine of value, given that, as he recalled, it contributes decisively to Italian exports, generating a solid active trade balance with foreign countries of approximately 7.5 billion euros annually.
An enthusiasm shared by Giacomo Ponti (President of Federvini), who highlighted how not only wines, but also spirits, vinegars, distillates, and liqueurs are foundational elements of the ritual of conviviality, playing a leading role in defining the national gastronomic identity.
This success, as highlighted by Paolo Castelletti (Secretary General of UIV), reinforces the pride in “Italian know-how” to be transferred worldwide, combining in a single entity what has always been a symbol of the Nation.
The UNESCO recognition is thus configured as a “formidable tool” to further enhance the value of Italian products, including wines and spirits, which can drive the national economy.
Wine, Spirits, and Italian Cuisine as UNESCO Heritage
This historic achievement officially sanctions what the world already recognizes: Italian cuisine, wines, and spirits are universally loved and appreciated as the ultimate symbols of the Belpaese.
Now, with the UNESCO seal, a new era opens for a targeted global commercial strategy. It is time to strengthen international positioning, not only through traditional channels but by aiming directly at the homes of all those who take our lifestyle around the world.
The objective is to bring our food and wine excellence, with an ethical approach that respects the authenticity and quality of the products, directly to private individuals and consumers in every corner of the globe.
The UNESCO award is not a finish line, but the decisive signal and impetus for inclusive export, capable of transforming global admiration into widespread growth for the entire System Italy.
With the UNESCO seal in hand, the challenge is clear. We must now define the strategies and tools to maximize the direct relationship with final consumers in the international market.. Leveraging this historic incentive with the millions of tourists visiting wineries throughout Italy is essential to consolidate the presence of our excellence, from wine to spirits, in homes all over the world, helping to prevent the commercialization of counterfeit or falsely sourced products.
