Bottled wine labelled with a vintage date of 2002 or earlier

There are new allergen labelling requirements in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) for all food including wine.

Despite these new allergen labelling requirements, bottled wine (including sparkling wine and fortified wine) labelled with a vintage date of 2002 or earlier will not have the presence of egg, fish, milk and nuts declared on the label.

Derivatives of egg, fish and milk may be used as fining agents in the wine production process.   While these substances are largely removed through filtration, very small residual amounts may be present in the final product.  

In addition, tannin derived from chestnuts is sometimes used as a wine additive.  

These substances will not be declared on bottled wine labelled with a vintage date of 2002 or earlier, because bottled wines have a very long shelf life and can remain in circulation for many years and prior to the introduction of the Code in December 2002, manufacturers of wines were not required to label their presence.   

Consequently, individuals who suffer from adverse reactions to egg, fish, milk and chestnuts should be aware that bottled wine (including sparkling wine and fortified wine) labelled with a vintage date of 2002 or earlier will not have these substances declared on the label, if present.

From 20 December 2004, bottled wine labelled with a vintage date of 2003 or later and all other alcoholic beverages must declare on the label derivatives of egg, fish, milk and nuts, when present.

 

March 2004