Australia and the European Union have concluded negotiations to finalise a new wine agreement that promises to cut red tape, improve market access, and reduce costs for Australian winemakers exporting to Europe.
The proposed Australia-EU Wine Agreement builds on existing trade arrangements by simplifying certification requirements and modernising export processes. This includes:
- fewer testing requirements,
- electronic documentation,
- and the ability for producers to self-authorise certifications.
The changes are expected to make exporting wine to the EU easier and less expensive for Australian producers.
As part of the Agreement, protection of geographical indications (GIs) was addressed, including the future use of the term 'Prosecco'. Under the proposal, Australian winemakers will be able to continue using the term on wine sold domestically, while exports using the name would be phased out over a 10-year transition period. Australia agreed to protect 50 new EU GIs. The EU is protecting 7 new Australian GIs determined since the previous Wine Agreement came into force.
The Agreement also safeguards the continued use of grape variety names even if they become EU GIs in the future.
Australia exported $2.4 billion worth of wine in 2025, with $159.3 million going to the EU. The European Union remains one of Australia's largest wine export destinations.
The Agreement is still subject to domestic treatymaking processes and final approval by the Governor General in the Federal Executive Council. Entry into force will take place alongside the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.
