Commission’s “wine package” proposal – a useful first toolbox to support EU wine companies provided a EU-US trade storm is avoided

Brussels, 28 March 2025 – Today, the European Commission presented its proposal for a “wine package” which includes a set of policy recommendations aimed at helping the wine sector to address the serious challenges it is facing at social, economic, geopolitical and environmental levels and to become more competitive.

Marzia Varvaglione, President of the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV), welcomed the Commission’s proposal: “We thank the European Commission for swiftly translating most of the policy recommendations identified by the EU High-Level Group into a concrete legal proposal in just three months. The timeline was critical, and the Commission has delivered. While EU regulation cannot resolve all the challenges we face, it can create an adapted framework that will help the wine sector navigate these difficult times successfully.”

CEEV acknowledged the inclusion, in the draft regulation, of several of the key proposals it presented to the High Level Group on wine, including:

• Further tools to manage production potential by
  • Extending the validity of replanting authorisations and abolishing the administrative penalties for their non-use;
  • Providing to Member States the possibility to limit the issuing of new planting authorisations at regional level for specific areas which are facing crisis and to avoid an increase in yields with replanting; and
  • Facilitating and promoting green harvesting a setting a stricter framework for grubbing-up;
• Reinforcing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, including through increased investments support from 50% to 80%;
• Extending the duration for the support granted for promotion and communication operations carried out in third countries;
• Establishing new and harmonised rules for the presentation of dealcoholized and partially dealcoholized wines, as well as for the production of their sparkling version;
• Further adapting the framework for aromatised wine products to align it with product innovation in the wine sector and meet consumer demand; and
• Empowering the Commission to develop a harmonised system of identification of the QR-code leading to the e-labels, including by means of a pictogram or symbol instead of words.

Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary-General of CEEV, commented on the European Commission’s proposal, stating: “It is a good legal package, and we stand ready to work with the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to fine tune the proposal. An expedited adoption is necessary”.

“However, the wine package will fall short if a trade war involving wine erupts between the EU and the US. Even though the 200% tariffs on EU wines have not been applied, the closure of the US wine market to our wines is already a reality, as importers have halted all shipments for fear of the potential tariffs. This is costing EU wine companies €100 million per week. An urgent solution is needed — wine must not be held hostage to unrelated trade disputes.” he added.

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