Chile’s Decree 78 creates “vino bajo alcohol” at an 8.5° floor
Diario Oficial published the Agriculture Ministry decree on 11 Sep: a new special category of fermented grape juice (no table grapes), authorised practices, minimum 8.5° GL real alcohol. Classic wine stays at 11.5° GL.
Chile did not lower classic wine. It opened a parallel door.
La Tercera reports that on 11 September the Diario Oficial published the Ministry of Agriculture decree creating “vino bajo alcohol” — a special category of wine made only from partially or fully fermented grape juice, excluding table grapes, with authorised oenological practices, a real alcohol floor of 8.5° GL and potential strength below the classic wine line. The traditional wine minimum remains 11.5° GL. The text is the modification path tied to Supreme Decree No. 78 under Law 18.455.
The decree cites healthy lifestyles, moderation and younger preferences, and notes that national rules already covered dealcoholised and partially dealcoholised wines plus some low-ABV sparkling styles — but not low-ABV wines made by authorised cellar practices. It quotes a global no/lo market of about US$1.18 billion in 2023, heading toward roughly US$7.9 billion by 2032 (about 23.5% CAGR). Comparative law points to lower floors elsewhere, including Argentina, the EU, the US and Australia.
Some small- and mid-grower groups argue the change should have gone through Congress rather than decree. The legal text itself insists the new lane recognises and regulates without rewriting the definition of classic Chilean wine.
Mini-concept: a special category is a label lane, not a cut to the old bottle. 8.5° sits beside 11.5° — shoppers need both numbers on the shelf story.
Keep: Diario Oficial 11 Sep; 8.5° floor / 11.5° classic; Decree 78 path; ~US$1.18bn → ~US$7.9bn by 2032; decree-vs-Congress dispute.
Remember: Chile “vino bajo alcohol” at 8.5° GL; classic wine still 11.5°; Diario Oficial 11 Sep 2026; Decree 78 lane.
Source: La Tercera