European Wine Sector Set for 80% Climate Aid Under New Regulatory Package

The European wine sector is moving closer to a significant regulatory update as the final validation of the European Commission’s “Wine Package” is expected in February. After a conclusive trilogue in early December 2025, the European Council approved the legislative package on December 17, 2025. The agriculture committee is set to give its approval on January 12, 2026, paving the way for a plenary ratification next month.

This legislative package has been highly anticipated by wine producers across Europe. It aims to strengthen the resilience of the sector, which has faced challenges from overproduction, market fluctuations, and climate change. Christophe Hansen, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, addressed these issues during the general assembly of the National Confederation of Controlled Origin Wines (Cnaoc). He emphasized that Europe’s wine sector is diverse and requires regional approaches rather than a single solution.

The Wine Package is designed as a flexible set of tools to support the industry quickly, ahead of broader reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). One key measure allows for adjustments in planting authorizations, giving producers more time for replanting and helping to reduce overproduction. Another measure introduces new tools to limit new plantings in areas at risk of surplus. The package also opens the door for rules on yields and prices, which could help stabilize markets.

Support for wine tourism is another important element. The package recognizes wine tourism as a vital driver for rural economies and includes specific measures to promote it. In terms of crisis management, member states will have access to new tools for distillation, grubbing up vines, and green harvesting. These actions can be decided at national or regional levels and will follow a fast-track approval process with national funding.

Climate change adaptation is also addressed. The package will finance up to 80 percent of costs related to equipment that helps combat climate change impacts in vineyards. This support is intended to help producers adapt more quickly to changing weather patterns and environmental pressures.

Industry leaders have expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Wine Package. The Confederation of IGP Wines of France welcomed its swift adoption and highlighted the inclusion of long-awaited regulatory tools. They noted that the measures reinforce regulation while maintaining the integrity of protected geographical indications.

If ratified as planned in February, the Wine Package could be implemented soon after, offering relief to a sector that has struggled with economic and environmental pressures in recent years. The focus on flexibility, regional adaptation, and rapid support reflects an effort by European policymakers to ensure that wine production remains dynamic and sustainable across diverse regions.