Common organisation of the markets and the new rules for wine sector

10 August 2021

To secure the achievements obtained in the Union’s wine sector until now and to achieve a long-lasting quantitative and qualitative balance in the sector through the continued orderly growth of vine plantings, the new CAP introduces some novelties.

The new CAP lays down provisions to keep increasing the competitiveness of the Union wine sector and encouraging a high-quality production as:

• the vine planting authorisation scheme is extended by 5 years, bringing the expiry date to 2045;
• the growers are allowed to delay the replanting of vineyards, from 3 to 6 years;
• it is prohibit the production of wine from varieties which are not allowed for wine production purposes whose production, while it will be possible to use hybrid vine varieties for the production of quality wines covered by PDOs;
• the designation of origin and geographical indications and labelling could be applied to all de-alcoholised wines (with an alcohol content by volume below 0.5%) and partially de-alcoholised ones (>0.5%). The addition of water and/or other elements not directly derived from the this process is still forbidden;
• nutritional labelling and indication of ingredients for all wines will be limited to the indication of energy value of the product. If the label will be equipped with electronic traceability systems (i.e. QR code) it will be possible to dematerialize the complete declaration;
• professional organisation could be recognize by the State also at regional or economic zone level, as well as at national level;
• professional organizations can act in derogation from EU competition rules and/or apply agreements on value sharing, provided that such agreements do not have the objective of eliminating competition or leading to imbalances in the production chain.

Source: EU Commission