
French MEP Éric Andrieu advocates de-alcoholised wine, ingredients labelling and planting authorisations

Éric Andrieu: The main change for the industry is an extension to the end date for planting authorisations, from 2030 to 2050. Vines are perennial plants and they require a clear roadmap, especially in times of crisis.
I introduced the idea, which has not been an easy topic for the [wine] industry. You have to look at things objectively: demand is changing. Wine is increasingly being drunk as an aperitif, in styles that have lower alcohol content. At the moment, only drinks with 8.5% ABV and upwards can be called wine. If we refuse to accept change, the (wine) industry could miss out on a potential market.
My conclusion is that de-alcoholised wines between 0.5 and 8.5% ABV should stay in the wine category (outside PDO and PGI). Some regions are considering vine removals - we should be heading towards greater diversification and production of a broader range of products.
The rationale is the same. Today’s consumer needs to know the ingredients that go into what they eat and drink. At the start [of discussions], the [wine] sector was uptight, but we have reached a good compromise. The answer is to provide calorie information on the label, with a symbol that allows energy value to be specified as a nutrition statement. Producers will provide ingredient information, either on the label or in a digitised format using a QR Code.