Wine Labeling Regulations: What Standards Must Producers Follow?

In the world of wine, the label is not just a business card but a true statement of identity and quality. Wine labeling regulations have been established to ensure transparency and clear information for consumers while protecting designations of origin and product quality. In today's article, you will discover the key regulations governing wine labeling in the industry.

Index

What Information Must a Wine Label Contain?
Key Regulations on Wine Labeling
What’s New in Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2023/1606?
Conclusions

Mandatory Information on a Wine Label

Italian and European laws require wine labels to include specific details to ensure consumers receive accurate and complete information.

Wine producers must provide essential information, including:

Wine name or type
Alcohol content (expressed as a percentage)
Country of origin
Allergen information, such as sulfites (mandatory if sulfur dioxide concentration is ≥10 mg per liter)
Name and address of the producer or bottler
Production lot (crucial for traceability)

All of these details must be clearly visible together, either on the back label or front label.

However, elements like logos, wine names, and branding details are optional and serve marketing purposes rather than being legally required.

IGT, DOC, and DOCG Wine Labels

Wine labels for IGT, DOC, and DOCG categories are subject to specific regulations that require the inclusion of certain essential information.

These categories must clearly indicate:

The full denomination, which may be Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP), Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), or Indicazione Geografica Tipica/Protetta (IGT/IGP). Abbreviations cannot be used in place of the full denomination.
The name of the grape varieties used, such as Nebbiolo or Barbera.
The classification of the wine, which may include Classico, Superiore, or Riserva, depending on its characteristics.

Additionally, DOCG and DOC wines must feature an official State seal. Each DOCG bottle is required to have a numbered label strip that provides additional information, including the country of origin symbol and the DOC or DOCG designation as applicable.

This seal must also include references to the Ministry of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Policies, as well as a unique sequential number for the bottle.

The bottle capacity (in liters) must be clearly stated on the seal, which must also be applied in a way that secures the bottle, preventing any tampering or reuse.

Italian and European Regulations on Wine Labeling

Wine labeling regulations establish detailed requirements to ensure that all information is clearly presented and compliant. In Italy, these rules align with European directives, aiming to uphold high standards of quality and transparency.

Regulation (EC) No. 607/2009 – Implements Regulation (EC) No. 479/2008 concerning Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), traditional mentions, labeling, and presentation of certain wine products. This regulation defines specific labeling rules for PDO and PGI wines, including the use of traditional terms such as "Riserva" or "Grande Riserva", ensuring precise regulations on their use.
Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013 – Establishes a common organization of agricultural markets, covering naming and presentation rules for wines, including Geographical Indications (GI), Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). It defines wine categories, authorized oenological practices, and marketing restrictions. Updated by Regulation (EU) 2019/934, it further details labeling rules, such as language requirements, size specifications, and mandatory information placement.
Regulation (EU) No. 2019/33 – Amends Regulation (EU) 1308/2013, introducing new mandatory labeling requirements and oenological practices. It allows vintages and grape varieties to be specified on labels for wines without Geographical Indication.
Regulation (EU) No. 2021/2117 – Introduced to update and clarify nutritional and ingredient labeling requirements for wines. It mandates the list of ingredients and nutritional information to be displayed either on the label or via a QR code/web link.
Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2023/1606 – Establishes new labeling standards for wine products.

Requirements for Wine Labels: What Changed on December 8, 2023?

Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 introduced significant changes aimed at enhancing transparency and providing consumers with more detailed information. This includes the mandatory listing of ingredients and the provision of nutritional information. As of December 8, 2023, the regulation has been updated, with the European Union revising the mandatory standards for wine labels, affecting all wines produced or imported into the EU.

What’s New in Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2023/1606?

The new rules outlined in Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2023/1606 require that wines, based on their production or importation date, must include details on ingredients, allergens, energy values, and nutritional information, in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2117.

Key updates include:

Energy value must be displayed on the label using the "E" symbol per 100 ml.
Allergens must be clearly listed under the term "Contains".

Non-compliant wines will be removed from the market and could face penalties, with enforcement varying by EU member state, as specified in Regulation (EU) 1306/2013, Article 89, Chapter IV.

Previously, producers could display full nutritional information and ingredient lists via a QR code.

Since label space is limited, the EU continues to allow additional information to be provided via a QR code, ensuring compliance while optimizing label design.

However, landing pages accessed via QR codes must not track user data or contain promotional materials. Information must be presented in an official EU language that is understandable for consumers, with no sales or marketing content included.

For now, beer and other alcoholic beverages are excluded from these new European regulations.

Conclusions

Wine labeling is a crucial aspect of product presentation, requiring attention not only to regulatory compliance but also to its visual impact on buyers.

All wines marketed in the EU, whether produced or imported after December 8, 2023, must include complete information on allergens, energy values, ingredients, and nutritional data. These details must be partially printed on the physical label and can be complemented by digital solutions, such as QR codes or web links, while excluding any promotional content.

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