New EU labeling rules

Winegrowers are exposed to this bottle circus this year

In future, a QR code will lead to the inner values of the wine.(Bild: W.Vogel Druckwerk Krems Krone KREATIV,)

According to the EU, the nutritional table is now mandatory on wine bottles. This puts small winegrowers in particular in trouble on the bottle. A solution to the lack of space on the label is the "e-label", which leads to a table on the Internet. A Krems-based company wants to take on a new pioneering role here.

A new EU regulation, which came into force in December, will pose a major problem for small winegrowers in particular this year: A table of nutritional values is required on the labels of newly produced wine.

The Krems-based company Druckwerk, which specializes in the production of labels, provides a solution to the space problem on the bottle: The only thing allowed on the bottles is a reference to an "e-label" - technically implemented by a QR code. In practice, you scan the black and white checkered code with your cell phone and are directed to a website with information including a nutritional value table.

Specialist provides help with implementation
"We decided to give the winegrowers a helping hand. After all, their main focus should be on producing excellent wine," explains Managing Director Franz Bösmüller. The print shop works together with the St. Pölten-based company elabels.at to ensure that the true values of the wine can be called up at any time without any problems. The Krems location with around 20 employees wants to play a pioneering role in Austria and is offering this service to its customers free of charge this year. Only the nutritional declaration and the ingredients are required - then the "e-label license" for 2024-2025 will be granted.

Scan the QR code and read the wine's specifications on the Internet via cell phone.(Bild: Werner Vogl, Druckwerkkrems)

"Relieving the burden on winemakers"
"After print approval, our bottle labels will be ready in four to six days. Covering the costs of the license is intended to ease the burden on winegrowers," emphasizes Sales Manager Gerald Mayer. The energy value in kilojoules and kilocalories, the amount of carbohydrates and how much of this is sugar as well as the ingredients are then effectively displayed. Allergens will still have to appear on the label.