EU nutrition labelling for wine: what changes from December 2026

From 8 December 2026, all wine sold in the European Union must carry a full ingredient list and a nutrition declaration, under EU Regulation 2021/2117. The rule ends wine's historic exemption from the EU's standard food labelling requirements and brings wine in line with other food and beverage categories.

Producers can comply either by printing the information directly on the physical label or by placing a QR code on the bottle linking to a dedicated webpage — the so-called "e-label" route. Most large producers are expected to use e-labels to avoid redesigning existing label artwork at scale. The QR code must link exclusively to the required labelling data; mixing in commercial or marketing content on the same page is not permitted.

What the label must show

Allergens: what must appear on the physical bottle

Even when using the e-label QR code route, certain allergen information must still appear visibly on the physical label. Sulphites (if above 10 mg/L) must be declared — this requirement already existed under EU 1169/2011 and continues. If fining agents derived from milk (casein), egg (albumin) or fish (isinglass) were used in winemaking, these must also be declared on-label, as they are common allergens. Most modern wineries use alternatives, but traditional producers may still use egg whites in Bordeaux barrel fining, for example. The Red, white, rosé and sparkling methods guide explains when and why fining agents are used.

For consumers, the changes mean significantly more transparency about what is in a bottle. The calorie content of wine — previously unlabelled — will now be accessible. A 125 ml glass of dry white wine typically contains around 83 kcal (350 kJ); a 175 ml glass of red around 135–160 kcal depending on alcohol level. For a full guide to what is currently printed on bottles, see How to read a wine label.