Europe's efforts to protect the trademarks of famous food and drink products such as Beaujolais, Chianti, Stilton and Champagne may have failed.
The World Trade Organisation has found against the European Union in a dispute over products identified with famous regions, the Associated Press says.
That's a pity, because I prefer Champagne to champagne :( de
Well I do not! If the production follows the champagne tradition and the product is of excellent quality and reflects the nature of the wine than it should be judged on its merits not its geography. Now this one should start a discussion that could last a few days.
Take care
Bob Patrick
"patrickrj" wrote in news:EO7nd.9978$ snipped-for-privacy@read2.cgocable.net:
Oh, I mean the stuff that's currently labled in the US as "champagne" - "New York Champagne", "Andre Champagne"... eek. de
Hi Bob, To me "champagne" is just an over-priced wine. Never tried it, probably never will. In the mean time I'll drink the wonderful sparkling wines from Italy, Australia and the USA. Dom Perignon is probably very good, but it doesn't fit in my budget. I could care less about regions in France, let them eat Foie gras.
Just my $.02 cents worth (US), regardless of the Euro equivalent.
Dick R.
patrickrj wrote:
Judging a product on its own merits is one thing (and I agree with you there), but calling it what it isn't is another.
Oh Dear!
Trius Brute has won medals in competition with Champagnes. It is produced over a three year period from grapes in the field to bottle shipment. It is a Hillebrand Estates Wine, a division of Andres Wines. It is a very high quality product.
Take care
Bob Patrick
Ken,
I gather that Champagne is from the Champagne Region of France as well as being a method of producing the wine to get it effervescent, and that both are necessary for a wine to be Champagne.
I know that the Canadian Trius Brute is a sparkling wine. I am not aware of it being labeled as a champagne or sold as a champagne. I am happy with how it is marketed. I am pleased that it stands up to wines that are priced three times its price and that are Champagnes.
Personally believe that the method of producing the effervescence to be more important. I am not expecting any one to agree and certainly not anyone in the Champagne Region of France. I would not have ever challenged it to the WTO. Whomever did that has created a problem! Sleeping dogs should never be poked. Taking things to the WTO is a crap shoot at best.
Take care
Bob Patrick
Dick
I still detect that provocatory note in your post, but let's concentrate on the question of Champagne.
Yes, most Champagne is an over-priced mediocre brand product that gives me heartburn. But then again, most wine is mediocre too.
I used to stay away from Champagne, until I discovered the little known fact that there are hundreds, maybe thousands of small winemakers in Champagne, and some of these make truly delicious (sparkling) wines. One of them hangs out here on AFW. You can buy these wines for less money than a Prosecco or a Franciacorta from Italy, and they are incomparably better (and this is an italian writing). A truly mediocre Cartizze from Italy now goes for over 25 Euro here, that is RIDICULOUS. I can get smooth well constructed real Champagne made from organically grown grapes here for under 20, I am talking complex thrilling wines here, not pop.
If you ever want a list of names to look out for, and I have several dozen, divided up by Grand Cru area, I can provide this. I think that for serious wine, not just a pleasant bubbly quaff but a real wine, Champagne is still today a bargain. Unfortunately, unless you are "in" most people don't know this.
Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link
Mike, please send list. However I am sure they will be difficult to find in USA I will try.
thanks
I think this ruling was actually a mistake.
See when I get Florida Orange Juice it should really be from Florida When I get California Sunkist Oranges...it should really be from Florida When I get San Marsano Tomatos they should really be from italy When I get Canadian Bacon...it should really be from Canada.
So, now with this ruling we should be able to get:
Long Island Duck from Indiana Florida OJ from Mexico San Marsano Tomatoes from Canada...oops...we already do and have for 5 years now. California wine from France French wine from California....
When I vacation in Venice this year I guess we all know that is Florida or California too :-)
Hi Mike, Just another of my inane banterings. I didn't mean to provoke or be confrontational, just a case where my fingers moved faster than my brain cells. And I forgot the :-) I would be very interested in your list!
Thanks, Dick R.
I must add a word about Port
Real Port must come from Porto in Portugal...
Everything else may be very nice, high quality, but it is not PORTO...
Regards Ricardo
"Richard Neidich" escreveu na mensagem news:DdHnd.6661$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
Yup. That is the truth. Sorry I missed that one cause it is about he most obvious.
I really don't like the ruling as many of the Portlike products from California which have developed are quite nice...but they should yield respect to the originators.
What should happen is Portugal should start packaging Port called California Port or Napa Valley Port and make it great quality at 1/2 the price...then sell it in USA after getting great ratings....and you quickly will see how the regional trademarks will be enforced.
Is it the word Port or the word Porto that is trademarked?
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