Wine Trade Archives

Top 10 Countries with the Heaviest Wine Import Tariffs in 2025

Examples of these challenges include the United States’ proposed 200% tariff on European wines, China’s recently lifted 218% tariffs on Australian wines, and the consistently high import duties imposed by emerging markets such as India and Indonesia (OIV, 2024). These key examples illustrate how wine often becomes entangled in broader economic and geopolitical conflicts.

Below are listed [from low to high] the ten most significant wine import tariffs globally, encompassing both Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs and retaliatory measures. Furthermore, distinctions between tariffs imposed on bottled versus bulk wine are discussed where relevant.

1. Russia – 20% on EU wines (potential 200% retaliation) (EU Commission, 2024)

Russia increased its tariff on wines from “unfriendly nations” (mainly the EU, US and UK) from 12.5% to 20% in 2023. This measure, in retaliation for Western sanctions, applies equally to bottled and bulk wine. Russian officials have threatened a 200% protective tariff on EU wines in response to continued sanctions, which would effectively eliminate European wine from the Russian market. Wine from “friendly” nations (e.g., Chile, Armenia, South Africa) continues to enter under lower or duty-free terms.

2. Brazil – 27% MFN tariff on all imported wine (WTO, 2024)

Brazil applies a 27% import duty under the Mercosur Common External Tariff, making it one of the highest base tariffs among major economies. This rate applies to both bottled and bulk wine, with no preferential treatment for large shipments. Additional state and federal taxes often push final retail prices far higher.

3. Morocco – 49% MFN tariff (Moroccan Trade Ministry, 2024)

Morocco imposes an approximate 49% MFN tariff on imported wine. While the European Union benefits from reduced rates due to a trade agreement, non-preferential nations face steep barriers. The tariff applies to all types of wine equally, without distinction between bottled and bulk.

4. Vietnam – 50% MFN tariff (phased reductions for trade partners) (Vietnam Ministry of Trade, 2024)

Vietnam applies a 50% MFN tariff on wine imports. However, it has gradually reduced tariffs for the EU, Australia and Chile through free trade agreements, with European wine set to enter duty-free by 2027. The 50% rate still applies to non-preferential wines, including those from the United States.

5. Indonesia – 90% MFN tariff on all wine categories (Indonesia Trade Authority, 2024)

Indonesia enforces a 90% import duty on all wines, whether bottled or bulk. Additional taxes, including excise duties and VAT, often make wine prohibitively expensive, with retail prices sometimes three to four times the import cost. The high tariff aligns with religious and social restrictions on alcohol.

6. India – 150% tariff on imported wines (Indian Ministry of Commerce, 2024)

India imposes a 150% import duty on all wines, one of the highest rates globally. Though free trade negotiations with the EU and UK are ongoing, no major reductions have been secured. Australia has managed to reduce duties for premium wines through a trade deal, but for most exporters, India remains one of the toughest wine markets due to state-level excise duties that further raise costs.

7. Iraq – 200% tariff on all alcohol imports (Iraqi Trade Authority, 2024)

Iraq levies a 200% import duty on all alcoholic beverages, including wine. This extreme tariff, in place since 2016, is one of the highest globally, effectively tripling the cost of imported wine. There are few exceptions, with only diplomatic imports and some tourism-sector imports avoiding the full tariff burden.

8. United States – Proposed 200% tariff on EU wine (unconfirmed)

US President Donald Trump has proposed a 200% tariff on European wine in retaliation for EU tariffs on US goods. While this tariff has not been formally imposed, its potential impact would be catastrophic for EU wine exports, as the US remains a key market for European producers. If enforced, it would likely eliminate most European wine sales in the US.

9. Malaysia – 150–250% effective tax on wine (Malaysian Trade Ministry, 2024)

Malaysia employs a complex tax system where import duties, excise taxes, and VAT combine to impose an effective 150% to 250% tax on imported wine. Unlike other countries with simple ad valorem tariffs, Malaysia calculates duties based on alcohol content and volume, making it one of the most expensive markets for wine imports.

10. Egypt – 1,800% MFN tariff on still wine, 3,000% on sparkling wine (WTO, 2024)

Egypt imposes a staggering 1,800% tariff on still wine and 3,000% on sparkling wine, making it the highest import tariff in the world for wine. These tariffs effectively ban foreign wine imports, with only limited exemptions for the tourism sector where a 300% tariff plus VAT applies.

Source: The Drinks Business UK

Nine Wine Regions Unite to Form “The Global AVA”

A few weeks ago, the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance (Global AVA) was announced, comprising nine prominent wine regions from around the world as its founding members.

The Global AVA has been established with the objective of fostering a mutually beneficial and sustainable alliance among the member regions. This collaboration unites wine regions from various parts of the world, promoting the exchange of experiences and the cultivation of robust relationships among partners. Through this cooperative effort, the participating wine regions aim to develop and fortify their respective industries.

The Nine founding wine regions include:

Livermore Valley Wine Community, California;
Texas Hill Country Wineries, Texas;
Chilecito, Argentina;
Dalmatia, Croatia;
Chinon, France;
Alentejo, Portugal;
Vale dos Vinhedos, Brazil;
Badacsony, Hungary;
and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

“On behalf of the entire Livermore Valley Wine Community, we are proud to have pioneered the effort to create The Global AVA,” said Brandi Lombardi, executive director of the Livermore Valley Wine Community. “As one of California’s oldest wine regions, Livermore Valley has a rich winemaking tradition, but it also embraces new techniques and a new generation of winemakers. This alliance will enable all partner regions to expand opportunities for winemakers and wineries, and to boost tourism in their regions.”

The Global AVA promotes international collaboration and information exchange among winemakers, wine associations, government representatives, tourism and economic development organizations, and business associations. Representatives from partner wine regions actively participate in professional development opportunities, which also help to grow the global presence of participating wine regions.
“I have dreamed of creating a global network of wine region partners, and I am pleased to see that it has been possible to realize this through the hard work of my team and the Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association,” said David Haubert, Alameda County District 1 Supervisor. “This alliance will bring tremendous value and innovation into the future, and I am excited to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative.”

Wine Review: Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella 2021 – Liz Palmer

Tasting Notes:

This wine is a Symphony of Flavors, showcasing a deep, dark inky red hue that captivates. On the nose, it reveals an intricate bouquet of dark cherry, dried fig, and grilled herbs, intertwined with subtle hints of dark chocolate and spice. The palate is a harmonious blend of savory and sweet, with flavors of bacon, dark cherry, and dried figgy fruit, with a touch of dark chocolate and spice. The wine is full-bodied and balanced by velvety tannins and a long, lingering finish that leaves a lasting impression and wanting more.
93 Points
Liz Palmer

Food Pairing:

This Amarone is a versatile companion to a variety of dishes. Its robust flavors pair beautifully with roasted venison, beef daube, and leg of lamb. For a more traditional pairing, try it with polenta dishes or pasta with a rich tomato sauce. The wine’s complexity also makes it a delightful match for aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or Gorgonzola.

Austrian Wine: The 2024 Vintage – Ripe Wines, Small Harvest

After the weather proved to be particularly capricious during 2024, including late frosts, hailstorms and heavy rain, the year ended on a conciliatory note with a very beautiful late summer and autumn. Winemakers managed to bring in the majority of the main harvest in favourable conditions. Although harvest volumes were low, the wines they produced are very pleasing. In general, we can expect well-ripened, balanced white wines that display fine fruit, body and moderate acidity, clearly reflecting the typical varietal characteristics. The deep-coloured, concentrated red wines are expected to mature into an outstanding vintage that is likely to be one of the very best of the last few decades.

The vintage 2024 promises well-ripened, balanced white wines and concentrated red wines that are expected to mature into an outstanding vintage.

Weather conditions in 2024

In contrast to most previous years, sufficient rain fell during the relatively warm peak period of winter 2024. Spring followed, living up to its name with glorious weather in early April, marked by cloudless skies and high temperatures. This caused the vines to bud extremely early, which always brings with it a certain risk. This year was no exception with the dreaded late frosts striking in the second half of April, leading to a lower harvest volume.

However, the frosts varied greatly from one region to the next. While the frosts only struck the lower vineyards in most regions, they also damaged premium vineyards in the Kamptal and in certain parts of the Wachau and the Thermenregion. The necessary rain set in in all regions towards the end of May and beginning of June. Due to early budding, this precipitation coincided with the equally early flowering of the vines in most wine-growing regions. This led to coulure, which also caused a reduction in yields later on.

From the second half of June, high temperatures meant that the ripening process advanced rapidly. In Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) and Burgenland, these temperatures lasted almost the entire summer, up to the beginning of September. Some regions had virtually no rainfall. Unfortunately, the exception to this were localised storms including heavy hail, which struck the wine-growing villages east of Lake Neusiedl, several municipalities in Steiermark (Styria) and the north-western part of the Weinviertel. The final blow came in the form of a massive hailstorm that hit the Nussberg in Wien (Vienna) at the end of August, just before the harvest began. After September got off to an oppressively hot start, eastern Austria saw a dramatic change in the weather in the middle of the month. Heavy rainstorms lasted as long as four days in some places, bringing an unprecedented amount of rain and catastrophic flooding. This primarily affected the Niederösterreich wine-growing regions north of the Danube and the wine-growing enclaves of Oberösterreich (Upper Austria). The regions south of the Danube and northern Burgenland suffered significantly less. Because of the warm summer weather, ripening was fortunately well advanced by this stage, meaning that many winegrowers managed to bring in most of their grapes before being hit by the heavy rain. However, even the grapes harvested after the rain were in perfect condition, with a high level of sugar ripeness. Many winegrowers harvested healthy but relatively small, loosely clustered grapes with thick skins and a low juice content. Combined with the adverse weather conditions mentioned above, such as late frosts, coulure and, in some places, extreme dryness in the summer, this resulted in a significantly reduced harvest volume, which is considerably lower than the average of recent years.

Overall – The 2024 vintage was a roller-coaster ride for Austrian winemakers with late frosts, hail storms and torrential rain sometimes testing them to the limit. Harvest volumes suffered as a result, yet the wines they produced are very pleasing. The white wines are well-balanced and approachable, with attractive fruit, body and moderate acidity. The deep-coloured, concentrated red wines are expected to mature into an outstanding vintage that is likely to be one of the very best of the last few decades.

Full report can be found at https://www.austrianwine.com/the-2024-vintage

Sources: Austrian Wine / Robert Herbst

Valpolicella Charts New Path: Amarone’s Journey from Volume to Value

On February 1 and 2, the Valpolicella Wine Consortium celebrated the 20th anniversary of Amarone Opera Prima with world-renowned tenor Vittorio Grigolo, a former Sistine Chapel soloist and Arena Opera Festival star since 2013.

The two-day event, hosted in the 17th-century Gran Guardia building on Piazza Brà, featured 70 producers. Consortium President Christian Marchesini focused his keynote on Valpolicella’s future amid shifting global markets and consumer preferences. Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi, the consortium’s vice-president, noted that while past Amarone production catered to demand for smooth, approachable reds in high volumes, today’s market seeks wines with stronger territorial identity and clear messaging. He emphasized the need for synergy between method, territory, producers, and communication, requiring cultural, legislative, and production changes to shift from volume to value.

Vintage 2020

In general, Amarone 2020 turned out to be soft and fruity with good structural balance, a true reflection of the vintage. The year began with normal bud burst timing and a warm, dry spring. Despite weather fluctuations—including June rains, July heat, and late-summer rainfall—skilled vineyard management ensured healthy fruit development. The mid-September harvest yielded grapes that produced an exceptional Amarone, characterized by perfect ripeness, balanced acidity, and profound aromatics that masterfully express both varietal and traditional appassimento characteristics. This exceptional wine promises remarkable aging potential, driven by its precise acidity and true-to-type expression. Its sophisticated bouquet weaves together authentic varietal notes with distinctive aromas from the appassimento process and barrel aging. In the glass, it commands attention with its profound color depth, impeccable structural balance, and harmonious alcohol integration.

Territory, Tourism, and Market Changes Shape New Strategy as Valpolicella Celebrates 100 Years

“The three wines of Valpolicella uniquely reflect the varied tastes across generations among Italian denominations. Amarone and Recioto appeal to mature consumers, Ripasso to millennials, and Valpolicella—a contemporary wine which Milo Manara fittingly depicted with a woman—to the younger generation,” said Christian Marchesini, President of the Valpolicella Wine Protection Consortium, at Amarone Opera Prima. The event celebrated the centenary of Veneto’s first wine consortium, which now represents over 2,400 companies, 360 bottlers, and approximately 8,600 hectares of vineyards.

The Valpolicella Wine Protection Consortium anchors Italy’s wine heritage, bringing together over 2,400 businesses throughout 19 municipalities in Verona province. This dynamic collective encompasses growers, winemakers, and bottlers who tend to 8,600 hectares of prestigious vineyards. With annual revenues exceeding 600 million euros—predominantly driven by Amarone’s success—the Consortium safeguards and champions the denomination’s interests both within Italy and abroad. Representing over 70% of the region’s production, it serves as the authoritative voice for one of Italy’s most distinguished wine regions.

Regional Characteristics and Denominations

Valpolicella’s distinctiveness stems from its location between the Dolomites and Lake Garda. The Monti Lessini plateau shields vineyards from Alpine cold, while Lake Garda provides mild winters and ventilation, enabling longer growing seasons that produce concentrated wines with high acidity. The region’s traditional appassimento method—grape drying—creates its flagship Amarone wine.

The region produces four wines: Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG. Each can originate from three territories: Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella DOC Classico, and Valpolicella DOC Valpantena.

Experiencing Valpolicella

The region offers diverse attractions beyond wine. Historic villages like San Giorgio di Valpolicella showcase 12th-century Romanesque architecture, while Fumane features the preserved Maso degli Orzi rural complex. San Pietro in Cariano’s Villa Serego Alighieri serves as both winery and museum.

Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides an ideal base for exploring. The city features the Roman Arena, Juliet’s House, and Piazza delle Erbe. Nearby Lake Garda offers water sports and scenic villages.

Local cuisine includes specialties like bigoli with duck ragù and paparotte (cabbage and bean soup), perfectly complementing regional wines.

Legacy in Motion: Protecting Valpolicella’s Appassimento Tradition

The Valpolicella community seeks UNESCO Intangible Heritage status for its appassimento tradition—not for commercial gain, as Amarone already generates over 600 million euros in revenue, but to preserve the practice for future generations. The application process has unified the community while respecting individual approaches to tradition and innovation. Visitors can experience this heritage through various accommodations, from intimate farmhouses to luxury wine resorts in converted Renaissance villas, all within 30 minutes of Verona.

My Choices of Valpolicella’s Producers

Below are a few notable producers that caught my eye and palate during this year’s Amarone Opera Prima event. They range from historic estates to new state-of-the-art wineries, and small, passionate producers focused on terroir and sustainability.

CONTRADA PALUI – www.contradapalui.com Contrada Palui is a relatively new producer created by the innovative and passionate Hannes Pichler. After studying renewable energies in London and Milan, Hannes discovered a naturally organic green meadow in the Valpolicella region, just northeast of Verona, which had never seen pesticides. He planted a vineyard there. The unique location benefits from 500 meters elevation and 180 degrees of sun exposure. The soil composition includes clay, limestone, flint, and black basalt, allowing Hannes to produce very terroir-driven wines. He converted an old hay barn to store his barrels and amphorae.

LA COLLINA DEI CILIEGI – www.lacollinadeiciliegi.it Nestled in the hills of the Valpantena territory, the charming Collina dei Ciliegi is the dream of winemaker Massimo Gianolli. He began his journey in 2005 with a small production of grapes that became the first Amarone produced in the small village of Erbin. Now, La Collina dei Ciliegi produces three collections exported to over 20 countries worldwide. They have some of the highest vineyards in Valpolicella (750m) with chalky soils that produce wines with excellent acidity and minerality. Their modern approach includes new blends that combine traditional and international varieties. A visit to the winery offers a memorable journey through the land, culture, and flavors of Valpantena. Their beautifully restored farmhouse, Ca’ Del Moro, welcomes visitors for tastings, vineyard walks, fine dining, and stays in six finely refurbished rooms, each named after symbolic wines of the region (Amarone, Valpolicella, Recioto, Ripasso, Garganega, and Corvina).

LE GUAITE DI NOEMI – www.leguaite.it Noemi Pizzighella, the driving force behind Le Guaite, is a young and highly respected winemaker in Veneto. Growing up in the vineyards of Mezzane di Sotto, north of Verona, Noemi was immersed in the rich viticultural traditions of her family. Her father, Stefano Pizzighella, started a small olive oil production in 1987, making the most of the family’s olive groves. Inspired by her father’s dedication, Noemi developed a passion for winemaking as a child.

Le Guaite’s portfolio includes the celebrated Amarone della Valpolicella, known for its rich, robust profile with notes of dark fruit, spice, and a velvety finish. The Valpolicella Superiore is another standout, offering a harmonious balance of red berries, herbs, and subtle oak. Noemi’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that each bottle embodies the essence of the region. Her wines include Recioto della Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso, Valpolicella Superiore, Amarone della Valpolicella, and Tano IGT Rosso Veronese. These wines are celebrated for their fresh and fruity nuances, distancing themselves from the opulence of certain other Valpolicella wines.

MASSIMAGO – www.massimago.com Hidden in the valley of Mezzane in Valpolicella is the Massimago winery which dates back to 1883. The name comes from Latin meaning “maximum wellness” and that is certainly what they have created here. Current owner and winemaker Camilla Rossi Chauvenet renovated the entire estate in 2003, expanding their cellars and creating a Wine Relais with seven elegant country-style suites, a pool, a private spa, and a restaurant serving dishes created from ingredients grown on the property. Visitors can enjoy a variety of tasting experiences from a vineyard walk to a picnic or e-bike tour.

TENUTA SANTA MARIA di Gaetano Bertani – www.tenutasantamaria.wine Tenuta Santa Maria, a historic estate dating to the 16th century in Arbizzano di Negrar, stands as one of Valpolicella’s most significant cultural and viticultural landmarks. Under the stewardship of brothers Giovanni and Guglielmo Bertani, who inherited the estate from their father, legendary winemaker Gaetano Bertani, the winery continues a centuries-old tradition of excellence.

The estate’s neoclassical complex, featuring a frescoed villa and monumental cellar, is recognized as a national monument. Tenuta Santa Maria combines historical significance with modern innovation. The Bertani brothers focus on indigenous varieties and sustainable practices, producing wines from both their Valpolicella estate and ventures in Soave’s Colognola ai Colli, as well as a high-altitude project in Valpantena. Their portfolio reflects both tradition and innovation, showcasing the diversity of Veneto’s terroir through wines that blend historical techniques with modern precision.

Filippo Magnani