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. neutral spirits of non-agricultural origin. spirits produced from beer. spirits produced from wine or other fermented products (previously known as made-wine).
Winegrowers Supplies
- making Wine spirits
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.
Made-wine is the term used to describe a wide variety of drinks that do not fall under the heading of spirits, wine, beer or cider,
which are made from the alcoholic fermentation of any substance or the mixing of wine with another substance.
For example, most English 'country' wines, made from fruit and sugar; such as elderflower, sloe, blackberries etc.
spirits produced from cider or perry.
other spirits.
(a) Wine spirit is a spirit drink which meets the following requirements:-
(i) it is produced exclusively by the distillation at less than 86 % vol. of wine, wine fortified for distillation or wine distillate distilled at less than 86 % vol.;
(ii) it has a volatile substances content equal to or exceeding 125 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol;
(iii) it has a maximum methanol content of 200 grams per hectolitre of 100 % vol. alcohol.
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of wine spirit shall be 37,5 %.
(c) No addition of alcohol, diluted or not, shall take place.
(d) Wine spirit shall not be flavoured. This shall not preclude traditional production methods.
(e) Wine spirit may only contain added caramel as a means of adjusting the colour.
(f) Wine spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 20 grams of sweetening products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.
(g) Where wine spirit has been matured, it may continue to be placed on the market as ‘wine spirit’ provided that it has been matured for as long as,
or longer than, the maturation period provided for in respect of the spirit drink defined under category 5.
(h) This Regulation shall be without prejudice to the use of the term ‘Branntwein’ in combination with the term ‘essig’ in the presentation and labelling of vinegar.
Restrictions on the manufacturing processes: when you manufacture spirits you must:-
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.