Australian wine sector experts from Australian Grape & Wine, the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), Wine Australia and the Australian Government attended the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) meetings held in Dijon, France from 3–14 March 2025. Their participation ensured Australia’s voice was heard across a wide range of technical, regulatory, and sustainability issues.
These meetings bring together international experts to develop and update global wine standards that impact how wine is produced, labelled, marketed, and traded. Active Australian participation is vital to ensuring our industry’s unique needs and perspectives are considered in these global decisions.
Progress on Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
A strong focus of the March meetings was sustainability, with expert groups examining the environmental footprint of wine production. Discussions included a New Zealand presentation on the World Wine Trade Group’s Sustainability Matrix, and work progressed on proposed OIV resolutions for climate resilience strategies, greenhouse gas accounting protocols, and methodologies for calculating vineyard water footprints. Importantly, Sweden’s Systembolaget also shared its approach to incorporating carbon targets into purchasing decisions—highlighting the growing intersection between environmental performance and market access.
Oenological Practices and Innovation
In oenology, the meetings advanced several resolutions, including a major step forward in agreeing on global standards for de-alcoholised and partially de-alcoholised wines. These resolutions, critical for market clarity and consumer understanding, are now expected to be adopted in June 2025. AWRI’s Markus Herderich was also appointed President of the OIV expert group on oenological product specifications—reflecting Australia’s ongoing leadership in wine science and innovation.
Consumer Information, Labelling and Trade
On the regulatory front, Australian Grape & Wine’s Damien Griffante was appointed Vice President of the Law and Consumer Information Expert Group under Commission III. The group advanced definitions for de-alcoholised wine and initiated new work on energy labelling, jointly proposed by Australia and France. These steps are crucial in shaping how wines are presented to consumers—particularly as labelling requirements grow more complex and varied across markets.
Australia also presented on its ongoing work monitoring wine regulation developments globally and proposed new areas of focus for the OIV. Other highlights included updates on nutrition and ingredient labelling for spirituous beverages, and international discussions on packaging waste regulations—areas that will have direct implications for wine and spirits producers worldwide.
Looking Ahead
OIV Director General Dr John Barker was actively engaged throughout the meetings, sharing updates on aligning the organisation’s operations with its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan. Additionally, following high-level ministerial discussions, Australian delegates met with Ukraine’s OIV representative to explore future collaboration on wine sector development.
Australian Grape & Wine’s consistent presence at these meetings ensures that Australian wine is well-represented in global forums, shaping decisions that will influence market access, innovation, and consumer trust for years to come.
