🏷️ EU wine categories
The EU list of 17 types of wine and must, from ordinary wine to wine vinegar.
The EU wine categories are an official list of wine types and related products in the European Union. There are 17 items: ordinary wine, liqueur wine, sparkling wine, semi-sparkling wine and others. Even grape must is on the list.
The list is set out in EU Regulation 1308/2013, Annex VII, Part II. It defines what may be called "wine" and what must be written on the label. Each category has its rules: how much alcohol it has, how it is made, and what pressure sparkling wine must have in the bottle.
This classification differs from the division by origin. The category answers "what drink is this", while PDO and PGI answer "where is it from". Liqueur wine, sparkling wine and other categories stand side by side. The system helps buyers understand what is in the bottle, and helps producers follow common rules in all EU countries.
Links
Frequently asked questions
How many wine categories are there in the EU?
17, from ordinary wine to grape must.
Where are the EU wine categories set out?
In EU Regulation 1308/2013, Annex VII, Part II.
How is a category different from a PDO?
A category says what the drink is; a PDO says where it comes from.
Similar
🏷️ American Viticultural Area · 🏷️ Vintners Quality Alliance · 🏷️ Wine of Origin · 🏷️ Geographical indication (Australia) · 🏷️ Klosterneuburger Mostwaage · 🏷️ Cava (Greece)
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
Sources
- EU Regulation 1308/2013, Annex VII Part II (wine categories)
- OIV, International Code of Oenological Practices
- Regulation (EU) 1308/2013, Annex VII Part II