EU Regulation 2021/2117 wine Compliance Guide: How Wineries Can Adapt to the New Labelling Standards

European wine labelling law 2023

EU Regulation 2021/2117 wine has introduced a wave of changes in the agri-food sector, aiming to provide more transparency, better traceability, and consumer protection.

While this is great news for customers, businesses must undertake a series of tasks to ensure compliance.

Wine labelling compliance is essential not only to meet legal obligations but also to maintain consumer trust and industry credibility.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties, including fines and restricted market access.

The EU wine labelling regulations has taken full effect from December 8, 2023, making it crucial for wineries to act swiftly.

Key Changes in New EU wine labelling rules

What’s Changing and What You Need to Do

Wine labels are no longer just pieces of paper stuck to a product—they have become business cards that must provide all essential information “at a glance”.

Here are the key details that must be included:

Wine ingredient labelling and Production Method Disclosure

Consumers want to know what they’re buying and how it was made.
The more transparent the information, the better.
Wineries must provide a complete list of ingredients and production details on their labels.
EU wine labels should be clear and consumer-friendly to ensure easy understanding by consumers.

Wine nutritional information and Raw Material Origin

Many questions that must be answered clearly on wine, sparkling wine, semi-sparkling wine etc. As well as flavoured wine products such as mulled wine and liqueur wines such as port.
The following information is mandatory:
Nutritional information for 100 ml.
Energy content in kjoule and kcal.
Information on carbohydrates and sugar in grams.
Information on fat, unsaturated fatty acids, salt and protein (which can be presented either in tabular form or as text such as: “Contains negligible amounts of fat, saturated fatty acids, protein and salt”).
The list of ingredients, consisting of grapes, sulphites and other additives and allergens.
Recycling details must also be provided for export to Italy.
Additional details such as alcohol content, grape varieties, quality, logos and bottle images are optional.
Transparency in raw material sourcing must be ensured, helping to improve supply chain accountability.

Wine labels: Recycling and Packaging Disposal Instructions

To reduce environmental impact, consumers prefer to know how to dispose of packaging.
Environmental labelling is now mandatory, guiding consumers on proper packaging disposal.
Wineries are encouraged to use eco-friendly materials and adopt sustainable packaging practices.

Mandatory Digital Information (QR code wine labels EU)

Either the information on nutritional values and ingredients is printed on the label, or the information is written behind a QR code as a so-called “off-label solution”.
Digital alternatives help reduce label clutter while allowing real-time updates on wine product details: QR codes, for example, are ideal because provide extended product information digitally.

QR code wine labels EU: The Smart Labelling Solution

QR Code: The Smart Solution for Labels (and for the Planet!)

Trying to fit all the required information on a label can be challenging.

This is where the QR Code wine labels come in – an intelligent solution that directs consumers to a webpage containing all the necessary details.

Let’s take a look at its advantages.

Advantages of Using wine labels QR Codes for Compliance

More space: Circumvents the use of long labels. The wine labels QR Code allows you to provide unlimited information.
Real-time updates: If something changes, you can update the website or the landing page without discarding thousands of printed wine labels.
Multimedia content: You may include videos, infographics, and tutorials to explain the product and its disposal process (recipes, gamification and loyalty program are also a side marketing activity which can be connected).
Less waste: Less ink, less paper, fewer discarded labels, more sustainability.
Personalization: The wine label QR Code can display different information based on the language or country where it is scanned.

Rules for Websites Linked to QR Codes

The website that opens when a consumer scans the Digital wine label, cannot be overloaded with ads or used to collect data secretly.

Here are the key restrictions:

No advertisements: You cannot use the wine label page for aggressive marketing or to sell other products.
The focus must remain on providing valuable wine information.
Personal data protection: The website cannot track users or collect data without consent. GDPR rules apply!
Accessibility: The website must be easy to navigate, clear, and readable, even for people with disabilities.
Long-term availability: Consumers must be able to access the wine information well into the future.

EU wine traceability rules: Business Benefits of Compliance

Compliance and Business Opportunities

Complying with EU Regulation 2021/2117 wine is not just a requirement—it’s also an opportunity to:

Increase wine transparency: An informed customer is a satisfied customer.
Strengthen brand trust: Demonstrating commitment to sustainability and clear communication helps build customer loyalty.
Reduce environmental impact: Thanks to QR Codes, you can reduce waste and materials without compromising on essential product information.

Competitive Differentiation & Market Readiness

Early adoption of the new EU wine labelling rules helps wineries stay ahead of industry trends.
Compliance strengthens market positioning both within the EU and globally.

Steps for Wineries to Ensure the Wine label compliance Europe

Audit Current wine Labels & Identify Gaps

Wineries should review their existing wine labelling practices and assess areas requiring updates.

Implement QR Code drink Solutions

Partnering with technology providers can help create digital platforms for compliance.

Educate Consumers & Distributors

Clear communication about the new labelling changes will ensure better consumer understanding and distributor adoption.

European wine label requirements: Next Steps

EU Regulation 2021/2117 wine marks a significant shift toward transparency and sustainability in the wine industry.
Wineries that adapt early can use compliance as a strategic advantage, enhancing their market presence while aligning with consumer expectations.

With a bit of organization (and perhaps a good team of developers or support from a company offering dedicated services), compliance can become a competitive advantage.

Now that we’ve explored how wineries can adapt to new wine labelling regulations, let’s shift our focus to how traceability is shaping transparency and sustainability in the fashion industry.

The Traceability Hub