On July 25, 2024, according to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), the European Union amends the product specification standards for the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of (EU) 2019/33. The contents are as follows:

(1) Types of wines: the categories of wines covered have been increased;

(2) Various changes in analytical parameter limits, the minimum total alcohol concentration for liqueurs has been increased from 15% to 17.5%. Still wines (white, red and red wines of the first category): the sugar content limit of <4g/l has been removed. Wines named Fondillón: the limit has been increased from <40g/l to <45g/l. The total acidity of the liqueur has been reduced from 3.5g of tartaric acid per liter of wine to 3g. The volatile acidity limit for Fondillón has been set at 2.2g of acetic acid per 100ml of wine;

(3) Changes in sensory descriptions: the sensory descriptions of red wines were increased during the aging process;

(4) Changes in wine-growing and winemaking practices: restrictions on planting density have been lifted. The ban on the use of wood chips has been lifted. Requirements relating to the proportion of grape varieties have been lifted in the case of red wines (>80% Monastrell) and aromatic sparkling wines (100% Moscassel). The conditions for making a “fondillón” have been added in order to describe in detail the aging system of the wine;

(5) Expansion of the delimitation area: the zoning has been reorganized and new territories have been included;

(6) Increase in the maximum yield: the maximum number of grapes and wines that can be produced per hectare has been increased;

(7) Increase in the number of grape varieties and their division into three main categories: new varieties have been included and the grapes have been divided into three categories: major, minor and historical varieties;

(8) Various changes in the additional conditions: variations of up to 25% of the maximum yield have been eliminated. The option to make wine in close proximity to the demarcated area has been eliminated. The Regulatory Commission no longer has the power to authorize labels. Some traditional terms such as “Superior” have been removed;

(9) Some changes to inspection procedures.