Everything Austrian wineries need to know about e-label requirements in 2026. EU regulation compliance, QR code obligations, and how to set up your digital wine labels.
David Wippel
Founder of Glasswise
If you are an Austrian winery selling wine in the EU, e-labels are no longer optional. Since December 8, 2023, EU Regulation 2021/2117 requires wines produced or labeled after that date to provide nutritional and ingredient information. For most wineries, the practical solution is a digital e-label accessible via QR code.
Here is everything you need to know as an Austrian winemaker in 2026.
EU Regulation 2021/2117 requires every wine sold in the EU to declare three things. The first is the ingredients list, covering everything used in winemaking, including fining agents and additives. The second is nutritional values: the energy value in kJ and kcal, and optionally fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt. The third is allergens, meaning sulfites and any milk- or egg-based products where they apply.
This information has to be available in the language of the country where the wine is sold. If you sell in Germany, France, and Italy, it must be available in German, French, and Italian.
Printing nutritional information in every EU language on a physical label is impractical. This is where e-labels come in. A QR code on the bottle links to a digital page that can automatically display the information in the consumer's language.
This is the approach the EU explicitly allows, and it is the most practical solution for wineries exporting to multiple EU markets.
Austrian wine law defines specific categories (Qualitätswein, Kabinett, Prädikatswein, DAC, etc.) that may affect labeling requirements. Your e-label solution should understand these categories and display them correctly.
Many Austrian wineries are part of regional associations (Vinea Wachau, Steirischer Wein, Burgenland, etc.). Some associations offer group solutions, while others leave it to individual wineries. Check with your association whether they have a preferred solution or group pricing.
Austrian specialties like "Spritzer" (wine-based beverages with at least 50% wine content) also fall under the labeling requirements. Make sure your e-label tool supports these product categories.
When evaluating e-label solutions, Austrian wineries have a few things to weigh. Language support comes first: can the tool translate your e-labels into all EU languages automatically? If you export to Italy, Croatia, or Germany, you need it. Check the longevity guarantee, because wines can be on the market for years and your e-labels have to stay reachable at least as long, so look for a wine-long guarantee. Design matters too, since a custom-designed e-label makes a better impression than a generic template. Weigh the pricing model, because per-label pricing gets expensive as your range grows while a flat rate stays predictable. And confirm data sovereignty, so you own your data and can export or migrate it if you need to.
We covered these factors in detail in our 5 Factors Guide for Choosing the Right E-Label Tool.
Wines produced and labeled before December 8, 2023 are exempt. But any wine bottled or labeled after that date must comply.
You can, but consider the long-term implications. Free tools may not guarantee availability for the entire lifecycle of your wine. Read our analysis of why free e-labels may cost more in the long run.
Non-compliance can result in your wines being flagged during market surveillance. In practice, enforcement varies by EU member state, but the risk increases as authorities implement systematic checks.
Yes. If your QR codes use a URL shortener, you can redirect them to a new provider without reprinting. We wrote a complete guide to switching providers.
As an Austrian winery, you have several options. We recommend evaluating your needs against the 5 factors guide and considering a provider that offers custom design, flat-rate pricing, and a longevity guarantee.
Glasswise is based in Austria and built specifically for wineries like yours. Start your free trial to see how it works with your wines.
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