Brussels, 4 December 2025 – The Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) welcomes the provisional political agreement reached yesterday by the European Parliament and the Council on the European Commission’s proposal for a Wine Package. The Wine Package includes a set of policy recommendations aimed at helping the wine sector address the serious challenges it faces at social, economic, geopolitical and environmental levels, and to become more competitive.
“This agreement shows that policymakers have heard our concerns and we thank them for the expedited work. It is a good legal package, measures on promotion, investment and wine tourism, in particular, respond to long-standing requests from operators to focus on market-oriented tools. However, we need to be conscious that EU law cannot resolve all the challenges we face,” said Marzia Varvaglione, President of the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV). “The outcome of the trilogue confirms a balanced approach that avoids focusing solely on destructive, crisis-driven measures” she added.
A balanced package with important advances — and remaining concerns
The agreement delivers progress on several files of strategic importance for the EU wine sector. CEEV welcomes the additional flexibilities introduced in the management of planting authorisations, which will help wine companies plan and adapt more effectively. At the same time, the sector regrets the removal of the 2045 deadline, which risks weakening long-term visibility and stability.
Member States may now raise EU co-financing for climate-related investments—both mitigation and adaptation—up to 80% of eligible costs. This reinforced support is fundamental for the sector, accelerating the transition towards more resilient, sustainable production in the face of growing climate pressures.
The reinforced framework for promotion programmes marks another positive development. The introduction of the 3+3+3-year structure, together with increased funding possibilities, constitutes a meaningful step to strengthen the international competitiveness of EU wines.
CEEV also particularly welcomes the explicit support for oenotourism. Wine tourism activities are a key pillar of local economic growth and a powerful tool for enhancing connections with consumers.
On the labelling side, the Commission’s commitment to develop an EU-harmonised symbol to identify the QR code will also provide the legal certainty the sector has long been missing.
In addition, the alignment of the legal framework applying to aromatised wine products with that of wine represents a positive and pragmatic adjustment, notably facilitating the use of new “No-Low” wine types in their production.
Despite these important advances, CEEV remains concerned about two aspects of the final agreement. The organisation reiterates its firm opposition to the use of EU funds for grubbing-up, even with the restriction included. CEEV also regrets the approach taken on partially dealcoholized wines, notably the unwanted creation of a legal loophole for products above 6% vol., which risks undermining legal clarity and market coherence.
“It is going to be ‘reduced alcohol wine’ for the presentation of partially dealcoholized wines, not our preferred term… But on the other hand, harmonising the use of the term ‘0.0%’ is very much welcomed,” said Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of CEEV. “We call on the co-legislators to move swiftly towards the formal adoption of the package.” he added.
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NOTE TO EDITORS
- Media contact: Dr Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, CEEV Secretary General, ceev@ceev.eu, Mobile: +32 (0)476 88 36 75
- Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV – www.ceev.eu) represents the wine companies in the industry and trade in the European Union: still wines, aromatised wines, sparkling wines, liqueur wines and other vine products. It brings together 25 national organisations and its members produce and market the vast majority of quality European wines, with and without a geographical indication, and account for over 90% of European wine exports.