In most markets, the alcohol statement is a mandatory component of wine labels and should be expressed as ‘X% alcohol by volume’ or words and expressions of the same or similar effect. In Australia, the tolerance (difference between the labelled alcohol content and actual alcohol content) is +/- 1.5% for table and sparkling wine, while fortified wine must be within +/- 0.5%.
For example, if a table wine is labelled as ‘13% alc/vol’, the actual alcohol content may be between 11.5% and 14.5%.
It is a condition of export that wines must first and foremost comply with Australian Labelling standards.
Internationally, the labelling rules and tolerances for the alcohol statement vary from country to country. Below is a summary of the current alcohol statement information for 33+ countries that Wine Australia publishes Export Market Guides for. Further information is provided in these guides which are updated as information becomes available from specific markets.
Where alcohol tolerances for specific markets are not specified, exporters should consult with their agent or importer in the specific market.
For further information or clarification, you can contact Wine Australia at labels@wineaustralia.com or (08) 8228 2000.
| Market | Tolerance (%) | Notes |
| Australia | 0.5 | Table wines and wine products between 1.15% and 6.5% alcohol by volume |
| | 1.5 | Table wines and wine products greater than 6.5% alcohol by volume |
| | 0.5 | Fortified wine |
| Brazil | Not Specified – contact importer/agent in market | |
| Cambodia | Not Specified – contact importer/agent in market | |
| Canada | 1.0 | For wines below 16% alc/vol |
| | 0.5 | For wines above 16% alc/vol |
| Chile | 0.5 | See guide for more information on types of products |
| China | 1.0 | |
| European Union (EU) | 0.8 | |
| Fiji | 1.5 | |
| Hong Kong | 1.5 | |
| India | 0.5 | For wines up to 20% alc/vol |
| | 1.0 | For wines above 20% alc/vol |
| Indonesia | Not Specified – contact importer/agent in market | |
| Japan | 1.0 | The label must list the ethyl alcohol content at 15°C as a percentage of total volume rounded to the nearest percentage point. Specific formatting applies to alcohol labelling, see export market guide for more information |
| Korea | 0.5 | |
| Malaysia | Not Specified – contact importer/agent in market | |
| Mexico | Not Specified – contact importer/agent in market | |
| Myanmar | 1.5 | |
| New Zealand | 1.5 | Table wine |
| | 0.5 | Fortified wine |
| Nigeria | 1.5 | |
| Norway | 0.8 | |
| Papua New Guinea | 1.5 | |
| Philippines | Not Specified – contact importer/agent in market | |
| Qatar | 1.5 | |
| Russia | 1.0 | For wine, sparkling wine, semi-sparkling wine and carbonated wine |
| | 0.5 | For aromatised wine, special wine & special fruit wine |
| Singapore | 1.5 | |
| South Africa | 1.0 | |
| Sri Lanka | 1.5 | |
| Switzerland | 0.5 | |
| Taiwan | 1.0 | Alcohol products other than distilled spirits including wine |
| | 0.5 | Distilled spirits |
| Thailand | 1.0 | |
| Turkey | 0.8 | For table wines aged 3+ years claiming a vintage |
| | 0.5 | For all beverages with an alcohol content of > 1%, see export market guide for specific formatting |
| UAE | 1.5 | |
| United Kingdom | 0.8 | |
| USA | 1.5 | For wines below 14% alcohol by volume |
| | 1.0 | For wines above 14% alcohol by volume |
| Vietnam | Not Specified – contact importer/agent in market | |