Articles on: E-Labels

E-Labels Master Guide

Learn how to fulfill the European regulations on wine ingredients and nutritional labeling.


To help consumers make informed choices, the EU now requires that wine labels include both nutritional information and an ingredients list. Producers are allowed to provide this information digitally, using a QR Code that links to an E-Label.



“In order to provide a higher level of information to consumers, the compulsory particulars… should include a nutrition declaration and a list of ingredients. However, producers should have the option of limiting the contents of the nutrition declaration on the package or on a label attached thereto to only the energy value and of making the full nutrition declaration and the list of ingredients available by electronic means, provided that they avoid any collection or tracking of user data and do not provide information aimed at marketing purposes.”
EU REGULATION (EU) 2021/2117


Contents


EU Requirements


Creating E-labels


Printing



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This is our best interpretation of the laws and compilation of respected legal opinions in the European Union around the nutritional and ingredient declaration for wine. Please consult legal advice from a professional for the most up-to-date information. This information is also subject to change.


Legal Requirements for E-Labels


All wines sold in the EU market must provide the following:

  • an ingredients list.
  • nutritional information.


These requirements can be fulfilled through an E-Label.

Refer to What are E-Labels? for further details.


Please note that you can also print the information on the physical label of your wine.



If a wine can be ordered remotely by the end consumer on a price list, brochure, flyer, online shop, etc., then the ingredient list and nutritional information must also be provided at the time of purchase.



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An example E-Label

Requirements for Hosting E-Labels

Advantages of Bottlebooks E-Labels

Main EU Regulations



When is a new E-label needed?


It is recommended to have a new, unique E-label per:

  • product
  • size
  • vintage


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E-label per Product, Size and Vintage

Which Products Need an E-Label?

QR Codes and E-Labels for Multiple Vintages



How to Create an E-Label


E-Labels allow you to meet legal requirements for product transparency by making key product information accessible via QR code.

On Bottlebooks, you can easily and quickly generate and manage your E-Labels.


Get Started on E-labels

Login to your Bottlebooks account and go to E-Labels.



Click on Add E-Label.


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Pricing and Plans

Advantages of Bottlebooks E-Labels

Get started with 3 free Bottlebooks E-Labels.


Create the QR Code


Type in your name. The name is for your reference only. It will not appear when the QR code is scanned and the E-label is shown.




If you want to use GS1 Digital Link you need to enter the GTIN now. It cannot be updated later. Type in the product's GTIN and its vintage/variant. Otherwise, tick the box stating that you'd like Bottlebooks to generate a QR with a random code.


If you want to use GS1 Digital Link you need to enter the GTIN now. It cannot be updated later.


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GS1 Digital Link


Get your QR code


A QR code will be automatically generated. You can download it in several formats and send it to your label designer for use on packaging.


Download QR


Most designers will want a PDF.

The PDF is in a vector format, meaning it can be expanded without losing quality. If your designer asks for a SVG or EPS, the PDF should work.


At this point, you can either:

  • Continue - proceed directly to adding the content, or
  • Complete later - save and return to finish it at any time. The QR code can be sent to your label designers, just remember to complete the E-Label before the bottles get sold.


Setup E-label


Select the product type and target languages of your E-Label.


The reference language will be automatically filled in regard to your choices of target countries.


If English is your Bottlebooks account language, and it is not the main language for a selected country, you will see an informational message allowing you to include English.


Select the product type from the list. Each product type might display different options in the form, particularly ingredients.


Redirect Outside of the EU

When users scan outside of the EU, it could be illegal to show the information from your E-Label. Enter another website here, where the user will get redirected to, such as your website.


Click on Continue.


Learn more [↗︎]

Redirecting QR Codes for Global Compliance.


Creation options


At this point, you need to choose how to populate the E-Label data.


  • Copy from Bottlebooks Portfolio

If you or your team have entered products on Bottlebooks, you will have access to them. Use the search bar to find the right product. Select the product and then click on Select & Review Data.


You will be redirected to our E-Label form in order to check the information that was copied over and add additional information if needed.


  • Copy from existing E-Label

This is great option for your next vintage. Use the search bar to find the right product. Select the product and then click on Select & Review Data.


You will be redirected to our e-label form in order to check the information that was copied over and add additional information if needed.


E-label Form


Start entering data

You will be redirected to our E-Label form in order to populate your new E-Label.


Warnings and Validations. Bottlebooks' intelligent E-label form helps you complete your information by making suggestions, giving warnings and validating the information as you go. Do not use these a legal advice. Read more about Validations, Warnings and Guides in the E-label Form [↗︎]


Optional Fields

As you complete your form you will encounter optional fields and required sections.


Optional elements include:

  • Certifications (sustainability, organic)
  • Your company or brand logo
  • Varietals
  • Region
  • Alcohol content
  • Certifications
  • Responsible consumption statements
  • Food business operators


Printed label: if you include any of the optional information on the E-Label, it does not exempt you from also having to include it on the printed label.


Regional Differences: Some regional authorities have indicated that some optional fields such as organic certificates might not be allowed. Bottlebooks will try to remove those fields or not show them in those countries if the guidance becomes clear.


Required: Ingredients


To comply with EU wine labelling regulations, all E-Labels must include a list of ingredients.

Bottlebooks provides an ingredient picker based on the official EU terminology and formats your list automatically, for example, highlighting allergens in bold, to differentiate them from the other text.


When picking the ingredients, there are a few rules you need to be aware of.


  • You may enter either the ingredient name or the corresponding E number.
  • Use “grapes” instead of “grape must”.
  • Use “concentrated grape must” instead of “rectified concentrated grape must”.
  • The terms "tirage liqueur" and "shipping liqueur" may also be indicated without further specification of the individual ingredients.
  • You may add three acidity regulators or stabilizing agents, as long as one of them is used in the process. Bottlebooks will group these using a “contains and/or” statement in line with regulations.
  • If blending multiple wines, it's recommended to list all unique ingredients in total.


Ingredients Order
  • Ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight, based on their use during production.
  • Ingredients that make up less than 2% of the final product may be listed in any order after the main ingredients.
  • You can reorder items by dragging them in the list view.

You can refer to ANNEX VII of EU 1169/2011.


Packaging Gasses

Additives such as carbon dioxide, argon, and nitrogen used during bottling to displace oxygen are not considered part of the final product. You may indicate their use by adding one of the following statements:

  • “Bottled in a protective atmosphere”
  • “Bottling may happen in a protective atmosphere”


Required: Nutritional


To comply with EU regulations, your E-Label must include a nutritional declaration.

You can either use the Bottlebooks calculator or enter your own data manually. We use the following formula: kcal per liter = ((7.9 x alcohol) x 7) + (residual sugar x 4) + (total acidity x 3) + (glycerin x 2.4).


Carbohydrate Guidelines

Wine typically contains some carbohydrates, primarily from residual sugars left after fermentation. For most dry wines, the carbohydrate content is low but generally above 0.5 grams per 100 ml.Here are the specifics. Typical dry wine (red or white): Carbohydrate content is usually between 0.6 and 3 grams per 100 ml, depending on the wine’s residual sugar and style. Lowest reported for dry wine: Some dry white wines are listed with as low as 0.6 grams of carbohydrate per 100 ml. Red wines often have slightly higher values, commonly around 2.5–3 grams per 100 ml. While it is theoretically possible for a 100 ml serving of wine to contain less than 0.5 grams of carbohydrates, this is extremely rare in commercial dry wines and would require the wine to be exceptionally dry with almost no residual sugar.


Fat, saturated fat, protein, and salt

Most wines contain negligible amounts of fat, saturated fat, protein, and salt, provided good production practices are followed. For these values, Bottlebooks offers three options:

  • Enter "0" as a value.
  • Use one of the "<" statements ("<0.1 g").
  • Select one of the "<" statements and enable the simplified table by ticking “Show simplified table for negligible amounts (Fat, Protein, Salt)”.


More information on negligible amounts can be found in section 6, table 4 of the EU guidance documents on nutritional labeling for EU 1169/2011, among others.


You are responsible for declaring values that exceed these tolerances, however many associations and legal experts are declaring that for typical wines no additional test is necessary.


Consult Local EU regional associations for guidance for wines created in their respective region.


Required: Other Fields


Packaging

If you sell wine in Italy and Spain you need to help the consumer dispose of our product. You can do so through your Bottlebooks E-label.


Learn more [↗︎]

Packaging and Recycling Requirements


Imprint

It is a legal requirement for companies selling and marketing in Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Netherland, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland. Including a valid Imprint is essential if you are publishing E-labels, as these are considered online content under EU law.


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Legal Impressum


Publish


Once you are done, click on the Publish button on the top of the form.


  • You can add a note about the version you are publishing.
  • We will also record who published each version.
  • You can come back to edit the form and re-publish at anytime. Learn more here: Editing Your E-Label.


You can now download your materials.



Printing the Back Label


When you print the back label, you will need to include the following:

  • The QR code for the E-label of the product
  • The word Ingredients in any EU language
  • The energy statement: 100mL: E=XXXkJ/XXXkcal
  • The GTIN (if using GS1 Digital Link)



Learn more [↗︎]

Updated on: 24/07/2025

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