A NEW ERA FOR LABELING

 There are some new labeling laws in effect. As the EU-Australia Wine Trade Agreement has now come into force, all Australian wines will phase out the use of “Champagne”, “Port” or “Sherry” on their labels, ending the misuse of European wine names and classifications within one year. In return for this action, Australia secured recognition of more than a dozen Australian winemaking techniques. Additionally, over 1OO Australian geographical indications will also receive protection in the European Union. More than half the sparkling wine sold in the United States is mislabeled Champagne, under a loophole in the US-EU Wine Accords signed in March 2OO7. Many US wine regions support the effort to protect wine names. Champagne has partnernered with seven US winemaking regions (Napa Valley, Sonoma, Oregon, Paso Robles, Walla Walla, Long Island, and Washington State) as well as seven other international regions (Jerez, Porto, Chianti Classico, Tokaj, Victoria, Rioja, Spain, and Western Australia). Together they signed the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin, which recognizes the importance of protecting wine locations and their names.