Wine Law

10 from these two categories is authorised (Article 1.3.). The use of any information, sign or illustration which is misleading about the origin and/or the nature of the product is forbidden (Article 1.4.). Varietal name is listed among the optional information that may be included in the labelling of wine. Under Article 3.1.4., varietal name may only be indicated if the wine is produced from at least 75% of the grapes of the said variety; this variety determines the specific character of a wine; and the name of the grape variety does not lend itself to confusion with a recognised appellation of origin or a recognised geographic indication. When the names of two grape varieties are mentioned, the wine must come entirely from these two varieties, they must be indicated by decreasing order of importance and the state must set the minimum percentage for the quantity of the least important grape, which must not be less than 15%. Exceptionally in countries where more than two grape varieties are usually shown in the labelling of wine, the percentage of each must figure on the label. The relationship between varietal names and geographical indications for wine is thus dealt with by relying on the principle that grape variety names must be used in such a way as to avoid any confusion with geographical indications. Misleading use of varietal names that are homonymous with geographical indications for wine should therefore be prohibited. Article 3.1.4. of the International Standard for the Labelling of Wines initially contained an additional requirement that the varietal wine, the labelling of which includes a grape variety name, must benefit from a recognised appellation of origin or a recognised geographic indication. However, in order to avoid unnecessary obstacles to international trade, this indent was deleted from the International Standard in 2010 by resolution OIV/ECO 396/2010. 4.3. European Union law European Union law also addresses the relation between names of grape varieties and geographical indications for wine within its provisions on the labelling of wine. Under Article 120(1) of the Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, the name of one or more wine grape varieties from which the wine is produced is one of the optional particulars that may be