Greek Wine Federation

The Finance Ministry submitted to parliament on Tuesday an amendment abolishing an excise tax on wine as of 2019, in a move that was widely expected after the levy was reversed by a court earlier in the year.

The special consumption tax has been in place since January 2016 and sees 0.15 euros added to the cost of a 750 ml bottle of wine or 0.20 euros to a 1-liter bottle.

The government's 2019 draft budget does not include revenues from a controversial excise tax on wine, which means the measure has been abolished, Kathimerini understands.

Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Vasilis Kokkalis reportedly informed representatives of the Greek wine sector on the development during an ongoing meeting held in Athens on Thursday, sources told the paper.

Greece's top administrative court cancelled a widely contested excise tax on wine introduced by the government in 2016, the Greek Wine Federation (GWF) announced on Tuesday.

The tax had been challenged at the Council of State by the Greek Wine Federation, the National Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine of Greece (EDOAO), and other wine associations at the start of 2016.

UNESCO’s scientific symposium in Santorini from November 5 through to 7 will focus on the heritage and development of wine regions and their role in tourism.