The EU Council has adopted a legislative act reforming the wine sector, aiming to stabilise the market by managing production potential, enhancing competitiveness, and adapting to changing consumer demands and climate impacts. The reform, agreed on 16 February 2026, amends several regulations including the Common Market Organisation (Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013) and the CAP Strategic Plans Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, directly affecting wine producers, national authorities, and consumers across the EU.
Reform extends planting authorisation scheme with national flexibility
A central element of the reform is the extension and modification of the vine planting authorisation scheme, which is set to continue beyond its current expiry. Member States gain increased flexibility to set regional planting limits, including the possibility to reduce them to zero in specific areas to manage oversupply. This measure aims to prevent further market imbalances while allowing regions with growing demand to expand production. The reform also introduces crisis management tools, such as national payments for green harvesting (removing unripe grapes) or grubbing up vineyards, funded through national envelopes under the CAP.
New rules for de-alcoholised and sparkling wines
To adapt to evolving consumer preferences, the act updates rules for de-alcoholised wines and sparkling wines. De-alcoholised wines (with alcohol content below 0.5% ABV) will be allowed to use traditional wine names with clear labelling, while partially de-alcoholised wines (0.5-8.5% ABV) must indicate the actual alcohol content. Sparkling wine production rules are harmonised to facilitate innovation and market access. These changes aim to capture growing demand for low- and no-alcohol products, a segment where EU producers face competition from third countries.
Harmonised labelling and electronic options
The reform harmonises labelling rules for reduced-alcohol wines and introduces electronic labelling (e-labelling) as an option for mandatory information, reducing costs for producers while ensuring consumer access to details via QR codes. This aligns with broader EU digitalisation efforts in food labelling.
Impact on stakeholders
- Wine producers: Gain flexibility to adapt to market trends but face tighter supply controls in oversupplied regions. Smaller producers may benefit from crisis support but could struggle with compliance costs for new labelling and authorisation rules. - National authorities: Receive greater discretion to tailor planting limits and crisis measures to local conditions, but must manage administrative burdens of implementing the new scheme. - Consumers: Benefit from clearer labelling and more product variety, including low-alcohol options, though prices may rise if supply restrictions tighten. - EU budget/taxpayers: Crisis payments and support measures are funded through existing CAP envelopes, meaning no new EU-level spending but potential reallocation from other agricultural supports.
Next steps
The adopted act will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and enter into force 20 days later. Member States must transpose the new rules into national law within 12 months. The European Commission will monitor implementation and may propose further adjustments based on market developments.
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