🥃 Geographical indication (GI) of spirit drinks
A name of a spirit drink protected in the EU for a specific country, region or locality, when its quality or reputation comes from that place: Scotch whisky, cognac, grappa. Register: eAmbrosia.
A geographical indication (GI) is the name of a spirit drink protected by law according to its place of origin. Under EU Regulation 2019/787, a drink receives this name when its quality, reputation or other characteristics are mainly due to a specific country, region or locality. Examples include Scotch whisky, cognac, grappa and Gin de Mahón.
How the protection works. Every GI has a specification: the drink category, its description, the boundaries of the territory, the production method and the link to the place. The name cannot be used for similar drinks from elsewhere, even with words such as "style", "type" or "method", or with the true origin stated. A protected name in the EU cannot become generic.
The register. Names registered under Regulation 110/2008 were protected automatically by Regulation 2019/787. All current GIs for spirit drinks are listed in the public EU register eAmbrosia. Among them are the Portuguese cherry liqueur Ginjinha portuguesa and the fruit spirit Medronho do Algarve.
New rules. Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, in force since 13 May 2024, created a single GI system for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products and amended the relevant articles of Regulation 2019/787. Outside the EU, other countries keep their own registers: in Georgia, for example, the first registered GI is chacha.
Why it matters to you. A protected name on the label means the drink was made in the stated place under approved rules that are checked. Words such as "style" or "type" next to someone else's protected name are banned in the EU. But a GI tells you about origin, not about benefit: the WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Art. 3(4) and Chapter III; Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 (from 13.05.2024); eAmbrosia register |
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How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Geographical indication (GI) of spirit drinks → kind of → 🏷️ Label, law and health → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Wine label
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health
- Part of
- 🏷️ Label, law and health
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Protected geographical indication, 🍷 Protected designation of origin, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Cognac, 🥃 Grappa, 🥃 Gin de Mahón, 🥃 Chacha
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that a geographical indication guarantees a better drink?
No. A GI guarantees origin and compliance with the specification (raw materials, production method, minimum strength), not that you will like the drink.
How is a GI different from a PDO?
For wine and food products the EU has two marks: PDO and PGI. For spirit drinks, Regulation 2019/787 provides only geographical indications.
What does a GI specification include?
The protected name, the drink category, its characteristics, the territory boundaries, the production method, the link to the place, the control bodies and special labelling rules.
Can you write "in the style of cognac"?
No. Regulation 2019/787 bans using a protected name for other drinks, even with words such as "style", "type" or "method".
Where can you check whether a name is protected?
In the public EU register eAmbrosia, which lists the name, the country, the drink category and the specification.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Wine label — The sticker on a bottle: who made it, where from, the year and strength.
- 🍷 Protected designation of origin — A protected name for wine from one place made under special rules.
- 🍷 Protected geographical indication — A protected name for wine from an area with looser rules.
Similar
🥃 Scotch Whisky Association (industry body) · 🥃 Age statement (age on the label) · 🥃 Bottled in Bond · 🥃 Angels' share · 🥃 Chill filtration · 🍷 Alcohol in wine
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019): Art. 3(4) definition of 'geographical indication'; Chapter III, Art. 21–42 (protection, product specification, register, existing GIs)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787, Chapter III Geographical indications: Art. 21 protection (misuse, imitation, evocation, 'style', 'type', 'method'; no generic use), Art. 22 product specification, Art. 33 register, Art. 37 existing GIs (legislation.gov.uk)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products (one Union framework; in force 13.5.2024; amends Regulation (EU) 2019/787)
- European Commission: eAmbrosia — the EU geographical indications register (spirit drinks)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III: registered geographical indications of spirit drinks (incl. 32. Liqueur — Ginjinha portuguesa, Portugal), legislation.gov.uk
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)