United States
July 24, 2009
Geographic Indicators
The United States generally opposes protection of geographical designations of origin (since many of these that are protected elsewhere are commonly used generic terms in the United States, such as parmesan cheese). For example, one can buy American champagne, feta, gruyère and camembert. However, there are some groups that have some degree of protection for their regional designation. For example, Vidalia onions must be produced within a certain region around Vidalia, Georgia, as defined by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
For and against Protected Status
July 24, 2009
Geographic Indicators
The EU strives to promote this kind of protection within WTO, e.g., via a database of multilateral registers. The general aims of the regulation are to allow regional producers of goods to maximize both quality and profits on local goods. They also intended to allow local know-how and expertise to continue and thrive and to prevent the over standardization of different foodstuffs. While having supporters, there is also some opposition to these regulations. The following arguments are amongst those put forth:
- The potential complexity of the registers may be abused
- Emigrants may want to continue to make their native products
- Many producers will be affected by the necessary rebranding to avoid narrowing or even closing the markets
- Extra costs may be incurred by governments, businesses, and consumers
Aromatized drinks
July 24, 2009
Geographic Indicators
The Regulation laying down general rules on the definition, description and presentation of aromatized wines, aromatized wine-based drinks and aromatized wine-product cocktails institutes a system of protected denominations for aromatized drinks which is very similar to that for spirits. The association of general names with specific countries is weaker: a drink labelled simply “Sangria” must have been produced in Spain or Portugal, for example, but it is permissible to label a drink “Sangria produced in the United Kingdom: aromatized wine-based drink” if the drink meets the other requirements to be described as sangria. Similarly, the denomination “Clarea” on its own is reserved for drinks produced in Spain. The protected geographical designations are:
- Nürnberger Glühwein (Germany)
- Vermouth de Chambéry (France)
- Vermouth di Torino (Italy)
Spirits
July 24, 2009
Geographic Indicators
The Regulation laying down general rules on the definition, description and presentation of spirit drinks provides for a double system of protection of spirit descriptions. Spirits are divided into 21 categories, which each have rules for fabrication and minimum strength. Within these categories, certain names are reserved for drinks from particular countries, for example ouzo, which is aniseed-flavoured spirit drink that must have been produced exclusively in Greece or Cyprus, or grappa, which is a grape marc spirit produced in Italy. The Regulation also defines a number of geographical designations, which are reserved for drinks that “acquired their character and definitive qualities” in the area denominated.
Appelations
July 24, 2009
Geographic Indicators
Despite (or perhaps because of) the traditional importance of appellations for wine, there has been little harmonization of national provisions within the European Union. Member States delimit the specified areas of production and determine the rules and appellations that apply: the European Commission restricts itself to publishing the information provided by the Member States. Appellations are usually the geographical name of the area in which the wine is produced, although there are some historical exceptions: muscadet and blanquette in France, cava and manzanilla in Spain and vinho verde in Portugal. The appellations are not necessarily unique: Cava may refer either to a quality sparkling wine psr produced in Spain or to a Greek table wine which has been aged
