The EU is doing it wrong.
Posted on 05/27/2007 9:59:57 PM PDT by Clemenza
California's premier Napa Valley wine region on Thursday became the first US terroir to have its name protected in the European Union.
Napa Valley's official "Geographic Indication" was announced by European Commission agricultural attaché Jean-Marc Trarieux at the German consulate in San Francisco.
"Europe does not have a monopoly on producing fine wines," Trarieux said. "Napa Valley has done an outstanding job."
The Napa Valley Vintners Association petitioned the commission in 2005 to have the names "Napa" and "Napa Valley" recognized with GI status to provide the US wine country names legal protection against trademark infringement.
In late January 2007 the EU Wine Committee approved the status for Napa Valley.
"This represents a significant win in the continuing fight to protect the Napa name around the world," said vintners association board president Peter McCrea.
The non-profit trade association represents nearly 300 wineries in Napa Valley, which is part of a campaign by vintners from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, and Australia to protect wine region names from misuse.
"We now have a new, international legal precedent on which to base our trademark protection efforts in Europe," said Napa vintners association board member Pat Stotesbery.
Ping!
This post brought to you by the "WTF is that word?" Club for Men, who note that the Napa Valley terroirists have won this round.
The EU is doing it wrong.
Much as I love Napa Cabs (Stags is still my fave), they have become WAY overpriced.
I’d swear I thought it was about a ring of terrorists busted in Napa valley
Making a wine tour of Napa Valley is well worth your time, but beware of the restaurants. Avoid “yuppie” joints, especially in Calistoga, where they’ve made an art of creating food fit for a dog, tacky ambience, and service that reviles POW treatment by sadistic guards.
I still vividly recall the unknown dish of apparent green frog guts, minced manzinita vinaigrette, topped with 10 year old dead goat cheese, with a side of ancient sourdough bread fit only as armor plate for an Abrams tank. And the house’s choice of wine was thinly disguised windshield washer whose bouquet could kill a Biblical plague of insects.
...and the portions were so small!
Be +/- on this low volume wine ping list.
Oenology news ping.
= = = =
Be +/- on this low volume culinary ping list.
Culinary news ping.
Your creative description is bum apetit!
I can imagine a bunch of left over bilge say from Languedoc re-labeled "Sonoma Style," or maybe "Columbia Valley Blend" or other such gimmick.
Just as Gallo called their swill "Chablis" before they got sued.
LOL!
Go ahead and tell him sergeantdave: Nobody likes a smart ass! ;-)
Which could dovetail into the debate about the EU allowing Primitivo to be labelled as Zinfandel.
- I agree. They are way out of my price range. When it comes to reds, I now prefer Australian Shiraz and some types of Chilean. At least they’re under $15. and I’m not enough of an expert to spot the difference with a $20. and up Napa Valley red.
Ah, yes. Some years back, we came across the first tasting room in Nevada City, where I discovered some great Syrah, and became introduced to Sangiovese. If I remember right, the label was Indian Springs.
Hard to find in the L.A. area, though.
A son-in-law works for one of the big-name wineries in Napa Valley. I believe he told me that they require 90% of the grapes to be from Napa to qualify for the appellation.
Some vintners may designate a higher internal percentage than what is required.
Indian Springs is just down the road from me. If you like their Syrah, try Montevina from Amador. It’s probably more widely available.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.