The European wine sector – responsible for 60% of global wine production – entered a new regulatory era on 4 December 2025, with the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2026/471 (the EU Wine Package). The new Regulation aims to help the wine sector adapt to a rapidly changing landscape shaped by climate pressures, shifting consumer preferences, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving trade dynamics.
From climate investment funding to new definitions for reduced-alcohol wines, the measures aim to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of European wine while helping ensure market stability.
Below is a simplified overview of the key measures — and what they mean for wineries, including how wineries stand to benefit from EU funding.
Alignment of production and demand
Grubbing-up schemes are now supported by EU funding with up to 70% of eligible costs for grubbing-up operations. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain market stability, support innovation, and prevent oversupply, but in practical terms wineries should be looking to see which parts of their operations can take advantage of this EU support.
Another change is that the planting authorisation scheme will now operate on a 10-year revision period, meaning the framework governing new vineyard plantings will continue.
For producers, this measure is designed to ensure that vineyard expansion remains aligned with market demand. Oversupply has periodically placed pressure on wine prices in several regions, and policymakers aim to avoid structural imbalances that could destabilise the sector.
Strengthening Climate Resilience
Climate change remains one of the most significant long-term threats facing European wine production. Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and extreme temperature events are already affecting vineyard yields and grape quality across several regions.
Under the Wine Package, EU Member States will have access to increased funding for climate-related investments. Wineries are advised to take note that co-financing may reach up to 80% of eligible investments, covering both mitigation measures and adaptation strategies.
These investments may include vineyard irrigation systems, improved water management, frost protection technologies, and other infrastructure designed to help vineyards adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Combating vine diseases
The spread of vineyard diseases such as flavescence dorée is an increasing concern across parts of Europe.
To strengthen the sector’s ability to respond, the Wine Package includes additional support for monitoring, diagnostics, training, and research aimed at preventing and controlling plant disease outbreaks. The EU has agreed to support wineries by covering up to 80% of eligible costs.
Improved coordination between Member States and stronger diagnostic capabilities could help reduce long-term risks to vineyard productivity and protect regional wine ecosystems.
Simplified, harmonised labelling
New labelling requirements were introduced with Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 and individual EU Member state requirements are implemented across the EU.
The Wine Package aims to simplify compliance by introducing a harmonised framework for digital labels and pictograms, standardised across Member States.
For wineries, this approach reduces the burden of managing different national requirements, while still ensuring consumers receive clear information about ingredients, allergens, and nutritional values.
Digital labels delivered via QR codes will use a harmonised EU symbol, to be established by the European Commission through implementing rules, to simplify regulatory requirements for wineries.
Wine tourism
Wine tourism has become an increasingly important revenue stream for many European wine regions, particularly in rural areas where vineyards play a central role in local economies.
The Wine Package allows EU funding to support initiatives that develop wine tourism infrastructure and experiences, helping producers diversify income sources and strengthen regional tourism ecosystems. Support will be available under the wine promotion measures, subject to the applicable EU co-financing rates established in Member States’ strategic plans.
These investments could include tasting facilities, visitor centres, vineyard tours, and other initiatives that connect consumers more directly with wine producers and their regions.
Export flexibility
To help European wines remain competitive in global markets, the new framework introduces greater flexibility for wines produced exclusively for export outside the EU.
These wines may be exempt from certain EU labelling requirements, including ingredient lists and nutrition declarations, where this is compatible with the requirements of the destination market.
For exporters, this measure helps avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens when producing wines for markets where these disclosures are not required. Despite this generous provision, wineries may still choose to use the same labeling for other markets by taking advantage of regionally dynamic content served with QR codes. This can minimize regional customizations on labels to save costs and lower logistical complexity of preparing different labels for EU and non-EU markets.
Alcohol-free and reduced alcohol wines
Consumer demand for reduced alcohol alternatives continues to grow globally, and the Wine Package introduces clearer definitions for these categories.
New harmonised terms have been included in the regulation, to be added to the designation of grapevine products to which a de-alcoholisation treatment has been applied to all or part of the product:
-
Alcohol-free 0.0%: for grapevine products with an actual alcoholic strength up to 0.05% by volume
-
Alcohol-free: for grapevine products with an actual alcoholic strength up to 0.5% by volume
- Reduced-alcohol: for grapevine products with an actual alcoholic strength above 0.5% by volume, but at least 30% below the minimum actual alcoholic strength of the products in the category before de-alcoholisation
- Produced by de-alcoholisation: for grapevine products where a de-alcoholisation treatment has been applied to all or part of the product.
These definitions aim to create greater clarity for producers, regulators, and consumers as innovation in reduced-alcohol wine products accelerates.
Aromatised wine products
To encourage product innovation, the Wine Package allows rosé wine to be used as a base for regional aromatised wine products.
This change provides producers with greater flexibility when developing new products that respond to evolving consumer tastes and emerging beverage categories.
The EU wine sector: preparing for the future
From climate resilience funding to clearer rules around labelling and product classification, the EU Wine Package aims to help wineries navigate a rapidly evolving market environment, supporting the EU wine producers with important funding options.
While further implementing and delegated acts still need to be adopted in some areas, the direction is clear: the EU wine sector is preparing for a future shaped by sustainability, transparency, and innovation.
For a deeper discussion of the EU Wine Package and its implications for producers, you can watch this webinar with Ignacio Sánchez Recarte from CEEV (available in English).