Wines and wine sector products

The European Union (EU) lays down common rules concerning protected designations of origin and geographical indications, traditional terms, labelling and presentation of certain wine sector products.

ACT

Commission Regulation (EC) No 607/2009 of 14 July 2009 laying down certain detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 as regards protected designations of origin and geographical indications, traditional terms, labelling and presentation of certain wine sector products.

SUMMARY

Protection of designations of origin and geographical indications

Protected designation of origin (PDO) designates the name of a product which must be produced within a determined geographical area using recognised and recorded know-how. All products with PDO status must be produced exclusively with grapes from the area in question.

Protected geographical indication (PGI) designates a product with a quality, reputation or other specific features that can be attributed to a determined geographical area. All products with PGI status must be produced with at least 85 % of the grapes coming from the area in question.

A producer may apply for PDO or PGI status if:

• they are the only producer in the demarcated geographical area;
• the relevant geographical area or product possesses features that are substantially different from those of the surrounding designations of origin or geographical indications.

The application for protection consists of a technical file and a single document summarising the specifications.

Traditional terms

Traditional terms are used to:

• indicate that the product has PDO or PGI status by virtue of European law and the legislation of a Member State;
• designate a production or ageing method or a quality, colour or type of place or a particular event linked to the history of the product with PDO or PGI status.

Applications for protection of traditional terms shall be presented to the Commission by the competent authorities of Member States or third countries, or by professional organisations from the wine sector.

Traditional terms are listed in Annex XII. They are only protected in the language and for the categories of wine sector products indicated in the application. They are protected from any misuse (even if the protected term is accompanied by an expression such as "style", "type", "method", "as produced in", "imitation", "flavour", "like" or similar) or practice liable to mislead consumers.

Compulsory labelling particulars

The specific rules laid down in this Regulation supplement the general labelling rules applying to foodstuffs. They help consumers to better understand the specific character of wine sector products and guarantee producers recognition of the quality of their products.

Labels on wine and wine sector products must provide the following information:

• the category name pursuant to Annex XIter of Regulation (EC) No 2007/1234 on the Single CMO;
• for wines with a protected designation of origin or geographical indication:
• the alcoholic strength by volume ‘% vol’;
• the provenance;
• the identity of the bottler, producer or vendor;
• the identity of the importer for imported wines;
• the sugar content (for some sparkling wines);
• the lot number.

The category name is not necessary for wines with labels showing the protected designation of origin or geographical indication.

The terms “protected designation of origin” and “protected geographical indication” may be omitted if:

• there is a traditional term on the label;
• the name of the protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication is shown on the label (in exceptional circumstances to be determined by the Commission).

The presence of sulphites must be indicated on the label pursuant to Directive 2000/13/EC on the labelling and presentation of foodstuffs.

All compulsory particulars (except the importer and lot number) must be shown clearly and visibly in the same field of vision of the bottle.

The PDO, PGI or traditional term shall appear on the label in the language or languages to which protection applies. If the PDO, PGI or specific national names are not spelt in a Latin alphabet, the name may appear in one or several official European Union languages.

Optional particulars

Labels on wine and wine sectors products may include optional particulars such as:

• the vintage year (at least 85 % of the grapes must have been harvested in the year indicated);
• the name of one or several wine grape variety(-ies);
• the sugar content (except for some sparkling wines for which this information is compulsory);
• the Community symbol indicating the protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication pursuant to Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1898/2006;
• terms referring to certain production methods;
• for wines with a protected designation of origin or geographical indication, the name of a smaller or larger geographical unit than the area underlying the designation of origin or geographical indication.

Bottles

In Annex XVII, the Regulation lists the types of bottles the use of which is limited to certain products.

Prohibition of lead-based capsules or foil

The closing devices for products shall not be enclosed in lead-based capsules or foil.

Repeal

This Regulation replaces Regulation (EC) No 753/2002.

See also

• Protection of Geographical Indications and Designations of Origin

Last updated: 18.02.2011