In the ever-evolving wine industry, new EU wine labeling regulations (Regulation (EU) 2021/2117) have significantly changed how wineries present their products to consumers. At the forefront of this change are wine QR codes and e-Labels, essential tools for ensuring compliance and enhancing the overall wine experience.
Mandatory Information on E-Labels
New EU regulations require that wine labels include product identification details such as the name, image, volume, and vintage. They should also list ingredients in descending order, highlighting potential allergens. Additionally, the e-Label must provide nutritional information, including energy, calories, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugar, salt, and protein, based on a 100ml serving size.
E-Labels allow wineries to present all required information in a user-friendly digital format.
The Advantages of QR Codes
While wine e-Labels provide necessary information, QR codes offer benefits beyond mere compliance. They are incredibly space-saving, allowing wineries to maintain the aesthetic appeal of their labels without compromising on required details.
Moreover, wine QR codes are dynamic, meaning the information behind them can be updated at any time. This flexibility enables wineries to adapt to changing regulations or provide additional details, such as grape varieties, quality indicators, and logos and comply with Italian recycling regulations.
Furthermore, the automatic translation of QR codes provide consumers with relevant information based on their location and preferences.
Implementing QR Codes and E-Labels
Sierra Hos is a platform designed to offer transparent product information through QR codes, enabling wineries to share comprehensive insights about their wines, from nutritional information to sustainability practices, all in compliance with EU regulations. It offers automatic translation to all 24 EU languages and mobile-friendly design. It is an easy-to-use platform with professional support.
Once a winery inputs product information into the platform, a unique QR code and URL are generated. QR codes are printed on the wine’s back label, allowing consumers to scan the QR code and access a detailed product page with all the information provided by the winery.
Wineries can visit the e-label website, enter their details, and upload the necessary nutritional and ingredient information. The platform will then generate a dynamic QR code that can be downloaded and printed on wine labels, brochures, and sales shelves.
Avoid these common mistakes with QR codes for wines
Implementing wine QR codes and e-Labels is a straightforward process, but there are a few essential things to keep in mind when choosing the right partner as your QR e-Label provider.
Regulatory Compliance: Wineries are not allowed to direct customers to their own websites via a QR code to prevent tracking individual customers or targeting them with sales and marketing messages. For more information, refer to the European Commission Note (p.10, section 30).
Reliability Service: Over 50% of e-Labels become inactive within a year, leading customers to non-working links. This often occurs because many QR label providers are technology companies rather than wine professionals. The costs of running such a service, including server hosting and maintaining a sales team, add up quickly. To avoid this issue, choose a wine-focused QR code provider like Sierra Hos. Our small team of wine professionals is dedicated to maintaining our reputation and relationships in the industry. We specialize in technological innovations in the wine industry, produce a wine podcast, and assist wineries with communication and distribution.
Educational Content: Wineries are allowed to provide additional technical information about the wine in a neutral tone, such as details about the winery and the winemaking process. However, they must avoid soliciting sales or using any language that influences sales or marketing.
Optimizing QR Code Design
To ensure the best scanning experience, follow these guidelines for QR code design and placement. The recommended size range is between 13mm x 13mm and 16mm x 16mm, with a surrounding empty space, often called the "quiet zone," of 1.5-3 mm around the barcode. For optimal results, use a black QR code on a white background. Additionally, the QR code image should be printable at 300 dpi or higher to ensure successful scans.
The Future of Wine Labeling
The adoption of wine QR codes and e-Labels is not just a matter of compliance but a strategic opportunity for wineries to differentiate themselves, enhance transparency, and create a more sustainable and consumer-centric wine industry. By embracing these innovative tools, wineries can enhance the overall wine experience and foster stronger connections between wineries and their customers.
Do You Have Any Additional Questions About Wine QR Codes and e-Labels?
We are more than happy to help you create your first e-Label and QR code free of charge or discuss any questions about regulations you may have. We want to connect with you and learn about your winery and wines the old-school way. Please send any questions you have via sierrahos@sierrahos.com, and we will get back to you right away.
