Council and Parliament strike agreement to strengthen and future-proof the EU wine sector 13:50 Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement on a set of updated measures[...]

The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a modernised policy framework to support a competitive, resilient and future-orientated EU wine sector.

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. They will also strengthen the sector's capacity to respond to evolving consumer preferences and seize emerging market opportunities.

Key elements of the agreement

Better alignment of production and demand

Member states may 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.

Stronger climate resilience

Member states may increase EU support for climate-related investments, including mitigation and adaptation - up to 80% of eligible costs, enabling a faster shift towards sustainable production.

Simplified and harmonised labelling

Labelling rules will become more simplified 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.

Boosting rural economies through wine tourism

Wine producers can l receive targeted support to develop wine tourism initiatives, driving economic growth in rural regions.

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'.

Export flexibility

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.

Combating 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.

Aromatised wine products - expanding innovation

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.

Next steps

The provisional agreement will be endorsed by both the Council and the European Parliament before being formally adopted and entering into force.

Background

The EU wine sector is a cornerstone of Europe's cultural and economic fabric. It represents 60% of global wine production and is the third-largest EU agrifood sector in terms of exports. The wine sector also helps counter rural depopulation by creating stable jobs and sustaining local economies. Furthermore, it contributes to the conservation of European cultural heritage, with 88% of EU vineyards dedicated to geographical indications.

The sector is currently facing a number of challenges, including ongoing demographic shifts, changing consumption patterns, climate challenges and market uncertainties.

To address these challenges, the high-level group on wine policy (HLG) was established to discuss the sector's needs and propose solutions. The European Commission's proposal, published on 28 March 2025, took into account a number of key recommendations made by the HLG.

• Council negotiating mandate
• Commission proposal
• EU wine sector (Commission website)
• High-level group on wine policy (Commission website)