Wine, Champagne and Truth in Labeling

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Doug is correct. On behalf of the Napa Valley Vintners, the non-profit trade association representing 375 Napa Valley wineries, we agree that place matters and that the names of wine regions merit respecting and protecting. As the story stated, 2 of our members, Schramsberg and Beringer, recently voluntarily revoked their "champagne" labels with the TTB, after years of non-use. Furthermore, but for one, every producer of sparkling wine in Napa Valley has voluntarily forgone the term champagne in lieu of Sparkling Wine. The Napa Valley, along with the famed wine regions of Champagne, Port, Sherry and well-known domestic regions in Oregon, Washington, including Walla Walla, created the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin in 2005. Since then, other regions have signed on: Chianti Classico, Paso Robles, Sonoma County, Tokay, Victoria and Western Australia. Two more significant wine regions are about to join the team. Consumers are invited to participate as well. Please review the Petition and, if you agree that place matters in the world of wine, sign your name to the petition. Visit www.protectplace.com.

Rex Stults of CA 12:19PM December 08, 2009

How would we feel if a French wine producer began marketing a "Napa" wine? We would say the producer was misleading people (unless the wine was made from grapes grown in Napa, of course).
Champagne may not be the be all and end all of wine, but I don't refer to a cava or prosecco as Champagne. It is either Champagne or it is not, and it's not appropriate for US wineries to refer to their sparkling wine as Champagne. Indeed, it's funny how many people I know who have had sparkling wine and say they don't like Champagne, but then are given a glass of Champagne and declare their appreciation for it.
It's not that hard to grasp. Audis are made in Germany, not Detroit. Bass Ale comes from the UK, not Boston. Champagne comes from Champagne. If you're a California winery, let your wine live on its own merits, not by misleading the consumer to believe your sparkling wine comes from Champagne.
With the Lanham Act in this country, I'm surprised this practice continues.

William Wilson of IN 11:04AM December 08, 2009

When was the last time you asked for a Kleenex only to be subjugated to some inferior brand of tissue? Oh, wait, that NEVER happens. Champagne is a region, yes. It has historic import, yes. However, it does not have the end all and be all to the name of the wine, just the location from whence it grows. Anyone who knows wine knows that if a Sparkling Wine is from Champagne, then it carries additional significance. Those that don't know wine don't care. They believe that a Champagne from Chili or California is less expensive than one from France. Champagne from the Champagne region has a unique flavor, and is recognized by the wine cognoscenti the world over. However, complaining about what amounts to a brand name to most people is a fools errand, and is better accomplished by marketing, not legislating.

Kevin of MA 1:48PM December 07, 2009

I am glad to hear that you didn't find any "port" from Portugal during your "closer examination." That means that the labeling laws are working well! To make a long story short, "Port" can be produced anywhere in the world and can be properly/legally called Port. If you are interested in "real" port from Portugal then you better be looking at bottles saying "Porto." You will not find any Porto from AU, US, etc...

Paul of NY 1:02PM December 07, 2009

Agreed. The grandfathering in of some sparkling wine brands is ridiculous. It's the equivalent of if I started producing wine in New York but called it Napa Wine. These vineyards need to be honest with the rest of us about what they're selling us. Champagne comes from Champagne, period.

Ben of IL 12:33PM December 07, 2009