Starting January 1, Ukraine will cease the use of names for a number of alcoholic products that have protected geographical origins in the European Union. As a result, familiar labels such as “cognac,” “champagne,” “port wine,” and “sherry” will disappear from store shelves.
This is reported by Finway
Reasons for the changes and new labeling
These changes are a result of international obligations: Ukraine has agreed to protect the geographical indications of EU countries in the same way that the European Union does. There is a clear norm in the World Trade Organization system, according to which geographical names are protected at the same level as trademarks.
Producers will need to update their labels, as products under the banned names will no longer be sold. Instead of the familiar names, shelves will feature “brandy,” “sparkling wine,” and “fortified wine.” Despite the changes in labeling, the production of these beverages will continue.
Reactions from Ukrainian producers
Among the largest producers of cognac and brandy in 2024 are the companies “Vynokurnya Akkermana” (Albo Group), “Odesa Cognac Factory” (Global Spirits), “Shabo,” and “Mykolaiv Cognac Factory” (Bayadera Group).
“In 10 years, not all producers have managed to adapt to the changes. Among them is the cognac producer Aznauri. It was not the right time to address this issue. There were other tasks: how to survive the business after losses, find people, and purchase generators,” says Ilona Nadvodska, director of “Vynokurnya Akkermana.”
At the same time, some producers are ready for the new market realities. In particular, Dmytro Sheludko, director of “Shato Chizai,” reported that their company has already prepared for the transition: in 2025, they plan to sell 150,000 bottles of cognac and brandy, and in 2026-2027, they will increase production by an additional 50,000 bottles annually.
For Bayadera Group, which owns brands such as Koblevo, Metaxa, and Saint Remy, the transition to the term “brandy” has been a long and challenging process. According to the company’s CEO Anatoliy Korchynskyi, the production of the last batch of Koblevo cognac is nearing completion — this is a limited edition of 20,000 bottles aged for ten years.