Source: European Parliament
The Commission is aware that climate change can modify growing conditions and favour a geographical shift of certain varieties more adapted to forthcoming climatic conditions.
According to Article 81 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013[1], it is for Member States to classify the wine grape varieties that may be used on their territories for wine production. Furthermore, grape varieties that can be used in each Geographical Indication (GI) are an element of the GI product specification.
Product specifications can be modified and adapted to the specific production needs of each GI, in accordance to Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143[2].
A change of grape varieties is possible and can be made through a ‘standard amendment’ to the product specification, subject to a national procedure followed by notification to the Commission, as provided for in particular by Articles 24(4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, 4 and 5 of Regulation (EU) 2025/27[3] and 12 of Regulation (EU) 2025/26[4].
The Commission is not planning changes to Annex IV, Part B of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33[5] considering the sensitivity of this labelling issue.
This Annex was the result of a compromise reached after a long debate in the context of the recast of EU labelling rules resulting in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33.
While Article 50 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 does not allow the use of the name of the varieties Barbera or Sangiovese on the label of wines with GI in Germany, it does not preclude the use of those varieties and others to produce wine, provided that those varieties are listed in the national classification of varieties and, in the case of GIs, are set out in the product specification of the relevant protected GI.