Is wine a food? Towards a new EU regulatory approach to ingredients and nutrition information

The article addresses the issue of wine product identity from a EU legal framework perspective, which has implications also at international level. In particular, starting from the current debate between the EU and other Countries in the Codex Alimentarius Commission on the amount of additives to admit in wine, it examines the definition of "wine" established by EU regulation in accordance with the OIV Code of Oenological Practices. The wine sector is in fact highly regulated by the EU as wine is an agricultural product closely linked to Mediterranean culture and terroir. The communication rules are also influenced by this particular conception of its being a special food product. The article concludes focusing on the current debate on the elimination of exemptions concerning the provision of ingredients lists and nutrition declarations to wine consumers, and its implication for the consumer's right to make an informed choice and consume safe food.