This is the last in my series on the issue of protect wine place names.
In my previous post, the movement began in 2005 in the United States when after 20 years of negotiations, the US and EU signed the first phase of a wine agreement. As a result, the US will seek legislative changes to limit the misuse of 17 names, including Champagne. In return, the EU will accept US winemaking practices that weren't previously accepted by EU regulations.
Since labels that incorrectly use the name Champagne have been "grandfathered" in the first round of talks, US consumers must continue to remain vigilant of those who mislead them by using the Champagne name on wines that do not come from the Champagne region of France. The growers and houses of Champagne believe that this agreement does not adequately protect the Champagne name. They remain committed to continuing their consumer education programs, an other efforts to ensure that the second round of negotiations comes to a prompt and successful conclusion that ends the misleading use of the Champagne name, misleading consumers to believe their purchase is from Champagne, France.
Below you will find supporting documentation. Next week back to Hudson Valley Wines.
March Dc Press Release Absolute Final
Joint Declaration
4 comments:
I believe your conflating two seperate issues here, the first being deception, or rather the intent to decieve, and the second is the common connotation of a word.
As Ive already said, for the majority of people on Earth, if you put a carbonated wine in a thick bottle with a metal tie on it in front of them, they will call it champagne (and they will be annoyed when corrected). Just as you and I drive a car or use a microwave with out the slightest care how it works, most people are able to enjoy wine with absoutly no knowledge about it.
But about my first point; the intent of the producer to deceive the buyer as to the origin of the wine. These are strong words, easy to type in a blog, not so easy to say to someone's face. I think you paint with too broad a stroke. Obviously a bottle simply labled "Champagne" with no other information would lead one to believe that it is from Champagne, France, and yes, that I would agree is a blatant deception. However, if the lable states in no uncertain terms, "Hudson River Region Champagne ... made from Seyval Blanc grapes ... Produced and bottled by Debbie Gioquindo's Vineyards,INC, Lagrangeville, Dutchess County, New York" ... then I ask you where is the intent to deceive? who is being misslead?
Rowland,
I don't think you understand this issue at all. Champagne is a region in France that grows grapes makes sparkling wine called Champagne named after their region. The use the Methode Champenoise. The method of which the people in Champagne use to make Champagne.
A winemaker from the Hudson Valley, California, Australia, wherever, can not use the term Champagne on their label, because the product was not grown, and produced in the Champagne region of France.
Hence, the same for Chablis, Burgundy, etc. These terms are not grapes like Merlot, Chardonnay. It would be the same for a person in North Carolina labeling their wine, Napa Valley Red, when the grapes were grown and wine was crafted in North Carolina.
It is just like Kleenex, Xerox - you are talking about a tissue and a copier. Kleenex and Xerox are brands, like Champagne, Chablis, Burgundy are regions in France that grow and produce wine bearing their regions name.
If other regions put on their bottle - XYZ Winery - Sparkling Wine - made using the Methode Champenoise - bottled and produced in New York - the consumer will understand what they are purchasing and not think they are purchasing "Champagne" which is sparkling wine made and produced in the Champagne region of France.
... yes I am so dense I dont understand this issue at all ...
just answer the question, are you saying the producers of the Hudson Valley Champagne shown in this picture ( http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ONJKKuyHIug/Sklxv9qtCkI/AAAAAAAABj0/DPlr8Wu2oJM/s1600-h/Weekend+in+Boston+036.jpg ) are intentionally trying to decieve their customers into thinking it is a French made produce?
It's not intentional but yes. By labeling it "Sparkling Wine" made using the Methode Champenoise would be correct.
Rowland, to gain a better understanding of this issue, please visit the Office of Champagne US - http://www.champagne.us/ and Protect Wine Name Place http://www.protectplace.com/page.cfm?pageID=6
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