Facing ongoing downward pressure on appellation wine values, Inter Rhône has secured EU approval to publish non‑binding price guidelines for certified organic (AB) and High Environmental Value (HVE) wines beginning with the 2025 vintage. The move leverages a “sustainable agreement” framework championed by Cooperating Winegrowers in Brussels, allowing the sector to communicate reference prices capped at production cost plus 20%.
Philippe Pellaton, president of Inter Rhône, cites recent mercuriale data showing a €20/hl premium for organic reds and €40/hl for organic whites versus conventional volumes—bonuses that still fall short of real production differentials. With organic plantings representing roughly 25 % of Côtes‑du‑Rhône output but under‑represented in bulk transactions, producers face a volume gap that threatens long‑term viability for certified growers.
In early April, Inter Rhône’s board formally agreed to lead the application process, with Cooperating Winegrowers drafting and submitting the dossier to the European Commission. Eligible appellations will initially include Côtes‑du‑Rhône and Côtes‑du‑Rhône Villages reds, chosen for their robust cost‑of‑production studies and sufficient operator numbers to ensure confidentiality. The Commission’s review is expected to take three to four months, aiming for a September launch of 2025 vintage orientation prices.
The initiative is designed to restore market benchmarks and narrow price dispersion in uncertain times, offering a shared reference point for both growers and négociants without imposing legally binding rates. Inter Rhône believes clear guidance on sustainable‑certified wines will reaffirm their added value, stabilize mid‑market levels, and protect premium segments from distortion—while broader Egalim reforms and producer‑organization tensions remain under separate review.