The European Parliament and EU Council have come to a provisional agreement on a new wine package, set to address challenges that wine producers face and unlocking market opportunities.
The EU wine sector, representing 60% of global wine production and the third-largest EU agrifood sector in terms of exports, has been facing a number of challenges, including ongoing demographic shifts, changing consumption patterns, climate challenges and market uncertainties. The updated measures are designed to better balance supply and demand, reinforce climate adaptation, simplify and harmonise labelling practices, encourage innovation, expand planting flexibility, and stimulate rural economies through wine tourism. The parties say they will also strengthen the sector’s capacity to respond to evolving consumer preferences and seize emerging market opportunities.
“Europe’s wine sector embodies centuries of skill, culture and regional identity,” said Denmark’s agriculture minister Jacob Jensen, for the EU presidency: “This agreement ensures that the producers can adapt, innovate and compete globally, while safeguarding rural livelihoods and preserving the quality and diversity that consumers expect from European wine.”
Under the agreement, there will be a better alignment of production and demand. EU member states will be able to support measures such as grubbing-up of excess vines to prevent oversupply and maintain market stability supporting innovation and adapting to new market conditions. The end date for planting rights scheme is removed and instead a 10 year revision period is introduced.
Climate resilience will be strengthened. Member states can increase EU support for climate-related investments, including mitigation and adaptation – up to 80% of eligible costs, enabling a faster shift towards sustainable production.
Labelling will be simplified and harmonised across the EU, cutting administrative costs and facilitating cross-border trade for the benefit of the consumers and producers. Consumers will gain clearer access to information, including through digital labels and pictograms.
There will bge a boost for rural economies through wine tourism. Wine producers can receive targeted support to develop wine tourism initiatives, driving economic growth in rural regions.
Regarding, reduced or no-alcohol wines, the term ‘alcohol-free’ will apply to products below 0.5% alcohol, with ‘0.0%’ used for those below 0.05%.
For reduced-alcohol wines (above 0.5% but at least 30% lower than the standard strength), there will be the clearer designation ‘reduced-alcohol’, replacing the previously suggested ‘alcohol-light’.
As to export, wines destined for export will be exempt from the requirement to list ingredients and provide a nutrition declaration for the internal EU market, reducing unnecessary administrative burden.
On plant diseases, focused actions to combat plant diseases such as flavescence dorée – including monitoring, diagnostics, training and research – will receive additional support, addressing this major threat to vineyards.
There will be a boost for innovation on aromatised wine products. The agreement clarifies that rosé wine may be used as a base for additional regional aromatised wine products, widening the scope for product development. This will encourage innovation in emerging product styles and support producers responding to new consumer tastes.
