Regulation (EU) 2019/787
on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. Of particular importance are:- The 8 classes of spirits: on form W21 Alcohol duties: Quarterly Distillery Return — declaration of materials used and spirits produced there are 8 categories listed:- malt spirits. grain spirits. neutral spirits of agricultural origin:
Vodka. neutral spirits of non-agricultural origin. spirits produced from beer. spirits produced from wine or other fermented products (previously known as made-wine). spirits produced from cider or perry. other spirits.
(a) Vodka is a spirit drink produced from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin obtained following fermentation with yeast of either:- Restrictions on the manufacturing processes: when you manufacture spirits you must:-
Winegrowers Supplies
- making Vodka
including the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs,
the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 110/2008.
The provisions on geographical indications for this regulation became applicable from 8 June 2019.
For Great Britain, this regulation will become retained EU law via the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018, with operability amendments being made via secondary legislation.
— potatoes or cereals or both,
— other agricultural raw materials,
distilled so that the organoleptic characteristics of the raw materials used and by-products formed in fermentation are selectively reduced.
This may be followed by additional distillation or treatment with appropriate processing aids or both, including
treatment with activated charcoal, to give it special organoleptic characteristics.
Maximum levels of residue for the ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin used to produce vodka shall meet those
levels set out in point (d) of Article 5, except that the methanol content shall not exceed 10 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol.
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of vodka shall be 37,5 %. 17.5.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 130/37
(c) The only flavourings which may be added are natural flavouring substances or flavouring preparations that are present in distillate obtained from the fermented raw materials.
In addition, the product may be given special organoleptic characteristics, other than a predominant flavour.
(d) Vodka shall not be coloured.
(e) Vodka may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 8 grams of sweetening products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.
(f) The description, presentation or labelling of vodka not produced exclusively from potatoes or cereals or both shall prominently bear the indication ‘produced from …’,
supplemented by the name of the raw materials used to produce the ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. This indication shall appear in the same visual field as the legal name.
(g) The legal name may be ‘vodka’ in any Member State.
use only those processes for which you’ve received approval
comply with any conditions we specify including, if applicable, those relating to inward processing on imported cereals
If you wish to change an existing process, or use a new process you must contact the Excise Processing Teams.
You must have our written approval before introducing any changes to your processes.