QR Codes & EU Wine Labels: What You Need to Know

The wine industry is entering a new era of transparency. With EU wine labeling regulations in force as of December 2023, producers must provide consumers with more detailed product information than ever before.

One of the most practical ways to comply is by adding a QR code to wine bottles. These digital wine labels (also called e-labels) allow winemakers to meet new requirements without sacrificing label design.

Here are answers to the most common questions wineries are asking about QR codes and compliance.

1. What Is a QR Code on a Wine Bottle For?

QR codes on wine bottles were introduced in response to Regulation (EU) 2021/2117, which applies to all wines and aromatized wine products from the 2024 harvest onwards.

They provide consumers with:

• A nutrition declaration (energy, fat, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, salt) per 100 ml.
• A full ingredient list, including additives and processing aids.

Producers can either print this directly on the label or offer it digitally via a QR code.

Platforms like ScanThisWine make it easy to create regulation-compliant e-labels in minutes.

2. What Must Still Appear on the Physical Wine Label?

Even with a QR code wine label, some information must remain printed on the bottle:

• Allergens - substances like sulfites must be listed with "contains [allergen]".
• Energy value - calorie content, which can be expressed with the "E" symbol.

This ensures vital safety information is always visible without scanning.

3. What Rules Apply to QR Code E-Labels?

To maintain consumer trust, the EU requires that e-labels follow strict rules:

• Clear identification - the QR code must be easy to spot, and "ingredients" must be clearly shown in the digital label.
• No marketing - the QR page may only contain mandatory product information.
• No data tracking - consumer privacy is protected; no analytics may be collected from scans.
• Product-specific only - each QR code must link directly to information about the specific wine it's printed on.

ScanThisWine ensures your labels automatically follow all these rules - including translations into all EU languages.

4. Why Use a QR Code Instead of Printing Everything?

For winemakers, the label is not just compliance - it's branding. QR codes bring several advantages:

• Design Freedom - A QR code frees up valuable label space, letting wineries showcase branding and storytelling without overcrowding.
• Cost Savings - Updating a digital wine label is cheaper and faster than reprinting physical labels.
• Flexibility - Add country-specific details (like recycling rules) without redesigning your label.
• Consumer Support - Many consumers choose wine based on label design due to limited product knowledge. The QR code provides factual product data while the physical label stays visually engaging.

5. How Does ScanThisWine Simplify the Process?

ScanThisWine is designed specifically for wineries navigating the new rules. Here's how it helps:

✅ Free & Easy to Use - No hidden fees, no limits. Create compliant QR code labels in minutes.

✅ Automated Compliance - Translations into all EU languages, automatic nutrition calculations, always up to date with EU law.

✅ One QR Code for All Markets - A single code works for every bottle, in every required language.

✅ Trusted in the Wine Industry - Already used by winemakers and wine organizations across Europe.

✅ Focus on Wine, Not Paperwork - Reduce admin time and compliance headaches.

Conclusion

The shift to QR code wine labels marks a new standard for transparency in the industry. Far from being a burden, digital wine labels allow winemakers to:

• Meet EU labeling regulations with ease
• Preserve design freedom on physical labels
• Keep information accurate, accessible, and multilingual

With solutions like ScanThisWine, compliance is no longer complicated or costly - it's quick, automated, and free.

👉 Ready to simplify your labeling? Create your free wine QR code e-label with ScanThisWine today.