On Monday 23 February, the Council of the EU adopted a regulation setting out measures to support the European wine sector.
The text (https://aeur.eu/f/kvo ) will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU (see EUROPE 13810/16).
Member States will be able to support measures such as grubbing up surplus vineyards. The end date for the planting rights system has been abolished and replaced by a ten-year review period.
Member States will be able to increase EU support for climate-related investments up to 80% of eligible costs.
In terms of labelling, the term ‘alcohol-free’ will apply to products with an alcohol content of less than 0.5%, while the term ‘0.0%’ will be reserved for products with an alcohol content of less than 0.05%. For wines with a reduced alcohol content (greater than 0.5%, but at least 30% less than the standard content) the term ‘reduced alcohol content’ is used.
Wines intended for export will be exempt from the obligation to provide the list of ingredients and the nutritional declaration required for the EU internal market. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)