What must a wine imported into the EU show?
The same particulars as an EU wine under article 119 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, with two differences: the name of the importer, and the provenance written as the country of origin. The ingredients list and nutrition declaration apply to imported wines too.
| Particular | What to write | Common gap on export labels |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Wine, sparkling wine… | US terms such as “table wine” used alone |
| Provenance | Product of Switzerland / USA / England | Missing or only in a local language |
| Importer | Imported by + name and address in the EU | Missing, added later by sticker |
| Alcohol and volume | 13.5 % vol, 750 ml | Volume in fl oz only |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites, in each language of sale | “Contains sulfites” in English only |
| Energy value | E (100 ml) = 312 kJ / 75 kcal | Missing |
| Ingredients and nutrition | Printed, or QR code + the word “ingredients” | QR to a winery shop page |
| Lot | L 117 | Missing |
Does the EU ingredients rule apply to wine made outside the EU?
Yes. Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 applies to wine placed on the EU market, whatever its origin. Wines produced from 8 December 2023 and sold in the EU need the ingredients list and the nutrition declaration, even if the country of origin does not require them.
What changes for Swiss wineries?
Wines sold only in Switzerland do not have to follow the EU rules on ingredients and nutrition; the Federal Council decided on 15 November 2024 not to adopt them, and Swiss law recognises the e-label only on a voluntary basis. Bottles exported to the EU must comply with EU rules.
For a Swiss encaveur, the simplest approach is one back label for the EU bottles, with the importer, the energy value and the QR code, and the Swiss label unchanged for the home market. Some prefer one label for both, since the EU version is also lawful in Switzerland. See our Swiss page.
What changes for wineries in the United Kingdom?
Great Britain did not adopt the EU ingredients and nutrition rules for wine. A British wine sold in the EU must add them, together with an EU importer and the allergen wording in the language of each country. Northern Ireland follows EU rules on goods, so check with your distributor before shipping there.
What changes for wineries in the United States?
A TTB-approved label (COLA) does not cover EU requirements. For the EU you need the volume in ml or cl, the alcohol in % vol, an EU importer, allergens in the language of the country, the energy value and the ingredients list with EU additive categories, usually through a QR code with no tracking.
The US “Contains sulfites” statement is a good start, but in Germany it must read “enthält Sulfite” and in Italy “contiene solfiti”. US label terms such as “table wine” or semi-generic names are not accepted in the EU. The e-label page must not reuse a US winery site with analytics and a shop.
Can the importer add the missing information with a sticker?
Yes, a sticker applied before the wine is placed on the market is a common solution, as long as it is legible, does not hide other mandatory particulars and cannot be easily removed. It costs more per bottle than printing the right label from the start.
- Sticker: flexible for small volumes, but handling cost on every bottle.
- Dedicated EU back label: cheaper from a few thousand bottles, cleaner on the shelf.
- Multilingual label for all markets: one print run, but less room per language.
What does the EU importer do?
The importer is the business established in the EU that places your wine on the EU market. Its name and address go on the label, preceded by “importer” or “imported by”. It handles customs and excise, and it is the first point of contact for EU control authorities.
Many importers also handle stickers when a label is not ready for the EU. Ask yours early which labels it expects from you, and who pays for any relabelling.
Which units and terms must change for the EU?
Volume in millilitres, centilitres or litres, alcohol in % vol, energy in kJ and kcal per 100 ml, and EU categories such as “wine” or “sparkling wine”. Imperial units can appear only in addition. Terms that are protected designations in the EU cannot be used for other wines.
| On a non-EU label | For the EU |
|---|---|
| 750 ml, 25.4 fl oz | 750 ml or 75 cl (fl oz optional, in addition) |
| Alc. 13.5 % by vol. | 13.5 % vol |
| Calories per serving | kJ and kcal per 100 ml |
| Contains sulfites | Allergen wording in each language of sale |
| Semi-generic names (e.g. “Champagne” used in the US) | Not allowed: protected designations |
What should I check before the first shipment?
Eight points, in this order. Most of them are decided by the market you target, not by your home rules.
- Confirm the EU countries of sale and their languages.
- Agree with the importer on name, address and who labels.
- Collect the analysis and the list of additives and fining agents.
- Write the ingredients list with EU additive categories.
- Calculate the energy value per 100 ml.
- Add the allergen line and the word “ingredients” in each language.
- Publish the e-label in each language, without marketing or tracking.
- Check the proof at the legal sizes, then print or sticker.
In which language must the label be for the EU?
A language easily understood in each country where the wine is sold, and often the official language (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, art. 15). English alone is not enough for most EU markets. Plan the allergen wording, the word “ingredients” and the e-label in each language.
Do I also need the national mentions of each country?
Yes. Wines sold in France need the pregnancy warning; wines sold in Ireland will need health warnings from 3 September 2028. Our country guides list them market by market.
Questions from winemakers
Do I need an EU importer on my wine label?
Yes, for wine imported into the EU, the label must show the importer (Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, art. 119(1)(f)).
Is my US COLA label valid in Europe?
No. The EU has its own rules on units, allergens, ingredients, nutrition and terms. The label must be adapted for EU sale.
Do Swiss wines exported to the EU need an e-label?
They need the ingredients list and the nutrition declaration. A QR code to an e-label is the usual way to provide them.
Sources
Selection criteria: we cite official texts first (EUR-Lex, national law portals), then named surveys with their publisher.
- Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (EUR-Lex)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 (EUR-Lex)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (EUR-Lex)
- BLV/OSAV, explanations on the Beverages Ordinance (PDF, DE)
- WRS, Swiss wine won't follow EU rules
- Arthur Cox, alcohol labelling in Ireland: timeline deferred
Updated on November 2, 2026 by the WineLex team