Drinks producers could have to adhere to strict new rules on labelling after a survey found 85 per cent of alcoholic products are still not being labelled properly.
The independent report found consumers are not being given enough information about alcohol units and potential health harms.
And based on the results of the survey, the government has launched a consultation on the issue, which could see the rules being tightened.
The options are: do nothing and continue with the current voluntary agreement; renew and strengthen the self regulatory agreement, or introduce a mandatory requirement on labelling.
A voluntary agreement currently exists between the industry and the government, which means producers have to put five key pieces of information on labels.
Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: "Despite responsible efforts from some brands such as Bulmers, Fosters, Kronenbourg and the major supermarkets, overall progress on labelling is very disappointing.
"Whilst there should be no need to bring in legislation when the industry can clearly sort it out themselves, we will not hesitate to act decisively if industry does not deliver."
She expected to see "much more leadership" from major producers, she added.
The cider sector and supermarket own brand labels have made "substantial progress" , the Department of Health said.
Some major beer producers are also making good progress, such as Heineken and Molson Coors which are "providing good quality information on their labels", it added.
The British Beer & Pub Association said a voluntary appraoch was the "best way" pointing to a separate government stud last year that found that 91 per cent of beer cans and bottles have unit information.
Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said the results from the survey were "disappointing" but also "surprising" given its own recent research.
But he added: "We urge all companies in the sector to do this voluntarily. It is clearly in their interests to do this rather than face further labelling legislation."