EU allows appellation to create low and no alcohol wines

From 2023, Europe's finest wine regions have the option to create low and no alcohol wines.

Historically, very low and no alcohol wines in general have been banned in the EU. EU wine regions fall into a number of zones and the minimum alcohol allowed depends upon the zone the vineyard is in. However, the lowest alcohol level permitted is for Zone A (most of Germany) where 5% abv is a minimum. Below this level and it was not considered to be wine.

From 1st January 2023 table wine (no geographical identification) will be allowed to be produced that goes below 0.5%, while IGP and PDO wines will be able to range between 8.5% to 0.5%. These drinks will now be allowed to be called wine and a new de-alcoholised wine category can be introduced.

Each regional body will have to decide how and if they wish to introduce these low and de-alcoholised wines to their regulations.