Wines and SpiritsReform of European Wine Market
In April 2008 the European Commission adopted regulation 479/2008 which reorganizes the EU wine market and replaces the previous regulation EC 1493/1999 which was reaction to not stable balance between supply and demand in late 90ð€™s when wine consumption in EU has been Wine consumption in the Community has been decreasing and the wine exports has been increasing at a much slower rate that the imports.
The purpose of the new regulation is to ensure that EU wine production matches demand, to eliminate public intervention in EU wine markets and to make the European wine more competitive.
The objectives of the new regulations are:
-Â increase the competitiveness of European wine producers,
- strengthen the reputation of quality wine made in EU as the best in the world
- recover old markets and win new ones not only in EU
- create a wine regime that operates through clear, simple and effective rules that balance supply and demand,
- create a wine regime that preserves the best traditions of wine production in EU and keep in mind the social aspects in many rural areas,
- ensure that wine production respects the environment.
One of the steps in order to establish the market balance which Commission decided to take is to keep the prohibition on new plantings until December 31st, 2015 with right to extend this period until December 31st, 2018. This probation includes only planting, the replanting of current vines or new planting for wine-growing experiments is excluded from this ban.
Most of the new rules were already applied from August 1st, 2008. The new rules covering wine-making practices and labeling was applied from August 1st, 2009 under regulations 436/2009, 606/2009 and 607/2009.
What will the new regulations bring to French wine producers? We will see in coming years.
Visit our site http://www.aboutfrenchwine.com to find out more about french wine regions and producers.