When the alcohol has gone…

Wines that have had alcohol reduced are commonly labelled as ‘de-alcoholised’ or ‘reduced alcohol’ wines.

If alcohol has been removed from a wine to the extent that no alcohol or very little remains, there are some important labelling rules to be aware of.

Products containing more than 1.15% or more alcohol by volume

An alcohol content statement must appear on the label for products containing 1.15% or more alcohol by volume. The statement must be expressed in mL/100g, mL/100mL or as a percentage of alcohol by volume

Standard drinks statements

A standard drinks statement is required for all products that contain more than 0.5% alcohol by volume.

Products containing less than 1.15% alcohol by volume

Products containing 1.15% alcohol by volume or less, the statement must be expressed in words to the effect of ‘contains not more that X% alcohol by volume’. For example, if a wine contains 0.8% alcohol by volume, the alcohol statement should appear as ‘contains not more than 0.8% alcohol by volume’

References to ‘low alcohol’ wines

The term ‘low alcohol ‘can only be used to describe products that contain less than 1.15% alcohol by volume.

References to ‘non-intoxicating’ products

The words ‘non-intoxicating’ can only be used to describe products that contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.

References to ‘non-alcoholic’ products

Products containing alcohol, regardless of the concentration, must not be described as ‘non-alcoholic’

For more information or feedback on label compliance, send your draft labels to our label integrity inspection team at [email protected].