Optional Information

Codified File

Trademarks

3.1.1              Trademarks

  • a trademark has to conform to the rules laid down by national law;
  • a trademark must not be in contradiction with the protection of appellation of origin and geographical indications, as defined by the OIV. Furthermore, it must not create confusion in the minds of the people for whom it is intended, neither on the appellation of origin or the geographical indication, nor on the product's geographic origin;
  • a trademark must not create confusion, notably on the producer, the merchant, the vine variety or the vintage.

other terms

3.1.10         Other terms

 

Subject to the compliance of national regulations, optional indications can equally be shown: terms or texts which notably refer to the history of wine or commercial firm, consumer advice, natural conditions or vine growing techniques, harvesting and wine making, other ageing descriptions, sensory conditions, analytical information different from alcoholic content, wine colour, additional source information about origin and graphic signs. This information must not, by its nature, create confusion as such, concerning the preceding information as in the arrangements of Article 1.4.

Parties participating in the marketing process

3.1.2              Parties participating in the marketing process

The name of one or several persons, firms or groups of people interested in the marketing of wine, having participated in the:

  • production;
  • wine selection;
  • pre-packaging (description of those in charge of the pre-packaging);
  • distribution (to restaurants etc).

Name of the viticultural holding

3.1.3              Name of the viticultural holding

The name of the viticultural holding (château, quinta, finca, tenuta, Weingut, manor, estate etc):

  • the wine must come solely from the said holding: grapes harvested and vinified in the holding as such designated;
  • the description of the viticultural holding must correspond to the customs of the country and must not create confusion in the mind of the consumer;
  • the wine must be entitled to a geographical indication or appellation of origin, and be mentioned as such.

Varietal name

3.1.4              Varietal name

a)      Can only be indicated if:

  • the wine is produced from at least 75% of the grapes of the said varietal;
  • this varietal determines the specific character of a wine;
  • the name of the varietal does not lend itself to confusion with an appellation of origin or a  geographical indication.

b)      When the names of two varietals are mentioned:

  • the wine must come entirely from these two varietals;
  • they must be indicated by decreasing order of importance;
  • the States set the minimum percentage for the quantity of the least important grape, which must not be less than 15%.

c)      Exceptionally in countries where more than two varietals are usually shown in the labelling of wine, the percentage of each must figure on the label.

NB - To ensure these provisions are respected, it is recommended that the States demand a harvest declaration showing the produced quantities of each varietal, along with the acreage planted with these varietals.

Vintage or harvest year

3.1.5              Vintage or harvest year

To bear this mention the wines must be made with grapes coming 100% from the year shown.

Nevertheless, with special dispensation, the producer States can lower this percentage to 85%, in the case where this practice is traditional and customary.

Type of wine

3.1.6              Type of wine[1]

Terms relating to the sugar content are as follows:

a)      Dry, when the wine contains a maximum of 4 g/l of glucose plus fructose or 9 g/l when the acidity strength totals (expressed in grams of tartaric acid per litre) is not less than 2 g/l to glucose plus fructose strength.

b)       

c)      Medium dry, when the sugar content of the wine is higher than the sugar content indicated under the first bullet point and does not exceeds

  • 12 g/l

or

  • 18 g/l, when the difference between the sugar content and the level of total acidity expressed in g/l of tartaric acid does not exceed 10g/l

d)      Mellow or semi-sweet, when the wine contains more than the figures aimed for in the second drawing off and achieves at the most 45 g/l.

e)      Sweet, when the wine contains a glucose plus fructose strength of at least 45 g/l.

[1] Sugar content is determined by the “glucose + fructose” method of analysis as described in the International Compendium of Methods of Analysis

The ageing of wine

3.1.7              The ageing of wine

The term "aged wine", or an equivalent, can only be used if:

  • a national rule defining ageing conditions exists;
  • if the ageing period is at least three years for red wines and two years for white wines.

Traditional terms of quality

3.1.8              Traditional terms of quality

The indication of terms relative to a superior quality of wine (Grand vin, cru, superior wine, classico, vino nobile, etc) must satisfy the following conditions:

  • the wine must have entitlement to an appellation of origin or geographical indication;
  • the terms must be attributed by an official organisation of the country of production and refer either to the classification of the viticultural land or to criteria relating to wine quality.
  • the labels must show the vintage.

Medals and Distinctions

3.1.9              Medals and distinctions

The indication relating to medals or distinctions depends on whether:

  • they were attributed in a non-restricted competition, according to the standards concordant with the criteria defined by the OIV, and on a homogenous and defined quantity of wine having the entitlement to an appellation of origin or a geographical indication,
  • documentary proof exists,
  • the label shows the volume of the batch of wine, subject of the distinction, or an official control number.