Argentina’s government plans a profound overhaul of wine law. A draft bill developed by the Deregulation Ministry under Federico Sturzenegger aims to significantly curtail the powers of the state wine institute INV. In the future, the authority will only control health safety and possible adulterations at the end of the production chain. Checks on origin, vintage, and grape variety will largely become voluntary and no longer subject to control.
The draft even changes the definition of wine: From “must from fresh grapes” it will generally become “grape must.” This could allow concentrated or preserved musts to be used more flexibly. At the same time, the obligation to bottle in the region of origin will be lifted; imported wines may also be blended with Argentine wines. However, the origin categories IP, IG, and DOC themselves are not to be abolished. Critics therefore warn less about the end of origin designations than about a loss of state traceability and control.
The reform is particularly sensitive in the context of Mercosur. For wines traded between member states, a common wine regulation with minimum standards applies. National regulations remain permissible, but cross-border trade is subject to common rules. Moreover, since January 2026, the agreement for the mutual protection of geographical indications in Mercosur has been in force for Argentina.
From the EU’s perspective, a tension field also arises: Since May 1, the EU-Mercosur trade agreement has been applied provisionally. It gradually reduces tariffs on wine and simultaneously strengthens the protection of geographical indications. While the EU continues to tie its origin system to binding product specifications and controls, Argentina relies more on changed consumption habits and personal responsibility. Whether concrete conflicts with Mercosur or EU obligations will arise from this remains open.
(ru – Image: 123rf)
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