Wine package : Final green light from the Parliament to protect the EU wine sector 

On Tuesday, the European Parliament approved the provisional agreement resulting from interinstitutional negotiations on the wine package.

MEPs approved the provisional agreement reached with EU Member States on 4 December 2025 by a vote of 625 to 15, with 11 abstentions. The new  rules aim to tackle the challenges faced by wine producers while opening up new market opportunities.

Farm Europe welcomes the work of Commissioner Hansen alongside rapporteur Esther Herranz García, as well as the Danish Presidency on this crucial improvement for the EU wine sector, following the first and last trilogue.

​​This positive vote of the European Parliament represents a necessary and long-awaited response to the most pressing challenges faced by the European wine sector. It also addresses the related requests expressed by the High-Level Group on Wine.

The deal introduces clearer rules for de-alcoholised wines, in particular for the use of the terms “alcohol-free” and “alcohol reduced”. Wine producers will also benefit from greater flexibility in the face of natural disasters, plant disease, or pest pressures, with an additional year to plant or replant affected vines. EU funds may now be used for grubbing-up, and national payment ceilings for wine distillation and green harvesting are set at 25% of globally available funds per Member State.

The agreement also strengthens support for wine tourism and promotional initiatives. Producer organisations managing protected designations of origin (PDOs) and protected geographical indications (PGIs) will have additional support to promote wine tourism. Promotional campaigns targeting third countries will benefit from enhanced co-financing: up to 60% from the EU, with Member States able to provide additional support, and funding may extend up to nine years.

The provisional agreement needs to be approved by the Council before the new rules can enter into force.