Members of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU have agreed on a new set of rules aimed at supporting wine exports in the months and years ahead, in a deal which could also affect the labelling of no- and low-alcohol drinks.

According to a 4 December statement from the European Parliament, the provisional agreement will provide improved EU funding for campaigns promoting European wines in third countries, with a focus on areas including events, exhibitions and advertising. “The costs and promotion plan could be financed for three years, renewable twice by the same period for a total of nine years,” it added.

Efforts will also be made to provide organisations responsible for managing protected geographical indication and protected designation of origin schemes with extra support to promote wine tourism within the EU.

Alongside the work to promote EU wines in other parts of the world, the agreement looks to simplify some of the administrative burdens faced by producers.

“Wines destined for export will be exempt from the requirement to list ingredients and provide a nutrition declaration for the internal EU market, reducing unnecessary administrative burden,” the Council said.

The wine industry is a crucial cog in the EU’s economy. In 2024, exports of wine from fresh grapes – including fortified wines – hit €16.8bn (around US$19.5bn), according to Eurostat. Wine exports from France came in at €8.1bn, while Italy and Spain recorded values of €4.9bn and €1.6bn, respectively.

The deal also looks set to affect the EU’s budding no and low alcohol sector. “The term “alcohol-free” accompanied by the expression “0.0%” could be used if the strength of the product does not exceed 0.05% volume,” the European Parliament said.

“Products whose strength is equal to or above 0.5% volume and that are at least 30% below the alcoholic strength of the category of wine before de-alcoholisation should be labelled as “alcohol reduced”,” it added.

Those reacting to news of the agreement – which still needs to be approved by the European Parliament and Council before entering into force – included Jacob Jensen, Denmark’s minister for food, agriculture and fisheries. “Europe’s wine sector embodies centuries of skill, culture and regional identity,” he said.

“This agreement ensures that the producers can adapt, innovate and compete globally, while safeguarding rural livelihoods and preserving the quality and diversity that consumers expect from European wine,” he added.