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There is no doubt that excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and binge drinking patterns increase the risk for cancer and many other diseases. Regarding the safety of light to moderate consumption of wine/alcoholic beverages, however, mixed messages exist. For decades, the potential health benefits of moderate wine consumption have been consistently shown, in particular for reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. On the other hand, some population studies suggested that there is no safe limit of alcohol and ANY consumption is harmful to health, because of an increased cancer risk. Cancer is a multifactorial disease and it is increasingly accepted that certain lifestyle choices can affect the risk of developing cancer. Individuals do not drink only wine/alcoholic beverages, they eat different foods and have particular lifestyle habits. Besides several unmodifiable risk factors (age, sex, ethnicity and genetic disposition), improving lifestyle habits may contribute to reduce the risk of cancer. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), one third of the cancers could be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle (such as avoiding smoking, maintaining a normal body weight, being physically active, avoiding excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and keeping a healthy dietary pattern). Furthermore, the Mediterranean Diet is considered as one of the healthiest in the world by the WHO and is directly associated with a lower rate of mortality thanks to its effects on disease prevention. However, moderate consumption of wine is an important component of that diet. So recommendations for a healthy lifestyle which include a healthy, balanced diet and avoidance of any alcoholic beverage may be confusing. Can moderate wine drinkers still enjoy a glass of wine with the meal without jeopardizing their health? A detailed analysis of the scientific evidence will be provided and the risk of moderate wine consumption within the context of lifestyle will be examined.

Introduction: The VET-ArtdeVivre Partnership Programme was a two-year Partnership launched in August 2012 and funded by the EC's Leonardo da Vinci (LdV). The Partnership brought together nine different actors from seven countries of both the wider wine value chain and the Vocational Education & Training (VET) field. The work focused on five different top- ics. The main objective was to identify market & training needs and to develop common approaches on wine, health & social aspects. Methods: A Market and Training Needs Analysis (MTNA) Report, consisting of the respective national versions, was drafted by the Partners and reviewed by international experts. The MTNA Report provided an in depth analysis of the respective wine markets and VET, an assessment of selected key job profiles and a mapping of relevant VET offers. Results: Based on the MTNA Report, the Partnership has developed a VET framework proposal with three different training modules according to the professional needs of Sommeliers (EQF 3–5 level), Oenologists (EQF 6 level), and Physicians (EQF 6–8 level). Each module lists the expected learning hours and outcomes, the delivery and assessment methods, reading list, the trainers’ minimum formal qualifications and experience required. These proposed comprehensive training modules are linked to a database of existing training references. Considering the MTNA results and having established a concrete proposal, the Partnership has initiated the necessary dialogue to introduce and recognise these skills both at formal & informal level and national & EU level in accordance with EQF & ECVET. Conclusions: Taking into account the increasing interest on the topic and the identified gaps, professional training on wine, health and social aspects and responsible business practices should be considered by the respective stakeholders involved in defining job profiles and training programmes for professionals of the wine value chain.

The Wine in Moderation-Art de Vivre (WIM) programme was officially launched in 2008 as the wine sector's contribution to the EU Alcohol & Health Forum, within the framework of the EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol-related harm. Building on the values of the “wine culture” and founded on information backed by science, broad education & self-regulation, WIM aims at promoting moderate and responsible behavior in the consumption of wine as a social and cultural norm. Considering the global and national trends in the wine market, the drinking patterns and the alcohol & health policy, Bodegas de Argentina (BAAC) decided to mobilize concrete actions to contribute to the reduction of alcohol related harm, by adapting and implementing the WIM programme in Argentina. BAAC decided to engage the whole national wine value chain in the WIM programme and empower them with necessary knowledge and tools to properly implement it and disseminate the WIM message. The first step was to adapt the WIM programme and message to the cultural and linguistic context respecting the programme's common approach and creating an action plan with 2 main phases. With the Argentinean wine value chain participating in WIM and having the proper skills to do, the challenge now lies in reaching consumer. The successful implementation in Argentina has set a milestone in WIM's international development.

With an increase in life expectancy, the incidence of chronic degenerative pathologies such as dementia has progressively risen. Cognitive impairment leads to the gradual loss of skills, which results in substantial personal and financial cost at the individual and societal levels. Grapes and wines are rich in healthy compounds, which may help to maintain homeostasis and reduce the risk of several chronic illnesses, including dementia. This review analyzed papers that were systematically searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and CAB-Abstract, using the association between grapes (or their derivatives) and their effects on cognitive functions in humans. Analysis was restricted to epidemiological and randomized-controlled studies. Consumption of grape juice (200-500 mL/day) and/or light-to-moderate wine (one to four glasses/day) was generally associated with improved cognitive performance, while the results for other alcoholic beverages were controversial and inconclusive. Bioactive molecules contained in grapes and wine were also considered, with particular attention paid to resveratrol. Due to the relatively high doses required (150-1000 mg/day) for bioactivity coupled with its low bioavailability, resveratrol is only one of the possible grape-derived compounds that may partly underpin the beneficial effects of grapes on the central nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]