| An alliance of 13 wine-producing regions has been formed with a Joint Declaration by all the members to protect wine origins and the name of the region.
Sonoma County , Paso Robles, Chianti Classico, Tokaj and Victoria in Western Australia are part of the group. Founding members include Napa Valley, Oregon , Washington State and Walla Walla Valley (all US; Champagne , Porto (Port) and Jerez (Sherry).
'Americans are more knowledgeable than ever about wine and will not settle for anything less than authentic products,' the Sonoma County representative Pete Downs said.
According to Downs , consumers have a right to know that the information printed on a bottle's label accurately reflects the origin of the wine they are purchasing.
When a place name is misused, consumers are misled and a part of the identity of that distinctive wine region is lost.
Perhaps, the alliance will be able to stop the production of cheap ' Champagnes ' and Goa will be rid of the desi Port. Burgundy might want to join in soon to protect against the cheap imitations, especially in California. |
