Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 (repealed)Show full title

1. Wine

Wine shall be the product obtained exclusively from the total or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, whether or not crushed, or of grape must.

Wine shall:

(a)

have, whether or not following application of the processes specified in point B of Annex V, an actual alcoholic strength of not less than 8,5 % vol. provided that the wine derives exclusively from grapes harvested in wine-growing zones A and B referred to in Annex IX, and of not less than 9 % vol. in other wine-growing zones;

(b)

have, by way of derogation from the otherwise applicable minimum actual alcoholic strength, where it has a protected designation of origin or geographical indication, whether or not following application of the processes specified in point B of Annex V, an actual alcoholic strength of not less than 4,5 % vol.;

(c)

have a total alcoholic strength of not more than 15 % vol.. By way of derogation:

• the upper limit for the total alcoholic strength may reach up to 20 % vol. for wines from certain wine-growing areas of the Community, to be decided in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 113(2), which have been produced without any enrichment,

• the upper limit for the total alcoholic strength may exceed 15 % vol. for wines with a protected designation of origin which have been produced without enrichment;

(d)

have, subject to derogations which may be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 113(2), a total acidity content, expressed as tartaric acid, of not less than 3,5 grams per litre or 46,6 milliequivalents per litre.

‘Retsina’ shall be wine produced exclusively in the geographical territory of Greece using grape must treated with resin from the Aleppo pine. The use of Aleppo pine resin is permitted solely for the purpose of obtaining ‘Retsina’ wine under the conditions laid down in the Greek provisions applicable.

By way of derogation from point (b) ‘Tokaji eszencia’ and ‘Tokajská esencia’ are considered wine.