I'm not surprised at all. The way the European Union polices language use on products is right out of Monty Python.

well we are preventing Roquefort from being sold here so who can blame them for wanting a little revenge ?

CMD, I was thinking the same thing. It's becoming a playground war game. If I can't have this, then you can't have that!

Childish much? And I mean that one both sides of this issue.

i kind of feel like it's almost too petty - but i guess if they are trying to make a point then they will. i know that there are a few certified champagne producers here in the states - but in general, most folks know not to use the name. as for vintage and things like that - those words are too common/generic that it'll really infringe on a lot of varities

Seriously? This is just petty playground stuff.

It seems a little high school to me. And I feel really bad for the US winemakers who will no longer be able to sell in Europe. I know I will no longer purchase any wine from Europe, I'll just stick to the US from now on!

what are they trying to say? There are no true Chateau's in America? Nothing in America could be considered "fine" or "superior" or "vintage"? How snobby is that?

My intent was to make the same comment at CMD about Roquefort -- this is another move in a game of import politics. However, petty bans by policians can economically destroy entire regions. Everyone should note that U.S. is no innocent but a leading champion at using bans and sanctions.

You mean you won't be able to find Chateau Montelena in France anymore?!? Weak!

Are you kidding me?! I understand "Chateau" or "Sur Lie" but "superior"...what the heck? Are they impying that only European wines are "superior"...well, I can show them a few Australian and American wines that kick bottom!

sounds a bit snobbish to me.

oh and all the more wine for us to drink here in the US

This is so freakin' snotty.

Is it just American wines that won't be able to use that terminology within the European Union or all wines from other countries bought into Europe. As strange as the argument is it seems even weirder to me that they would have this just for American wines...

My family runs a vinyard and this story absolutely doesn't sound ridiculous at all. All these words have a specific meaning and come from the traditions of wine making. It's always something in relation to the region or the grapes or the culture and identity of the way they are and where the wines are made. This is european wine identity and it hurts our business when when you try and steal it. The way we look at it, it can't be copied and shouldn't be. We have our own wine culture, thank you...

well well...

there's nothing snobby or childish here. protectionism has always existed. every country has tried to limit the import of foreign products, when they felt that those could hurt the local products, or sometimes for ideological reasons. doesn't sound like free market and it's perhaps not the best option to improve the economy in the long term, but the US did it as well the EU. snobbish? i would say some nice economic interests. the world is cruel.

btw, i personally won't miss the US wine, i have too many italian ones to try still
and believe me, the wine that is sent to the US and not typically wine-drinking countries it's not first quality, even if it's labelled the same. transportation affects it as well of course. i personally tried some wine i knew in sweden... same label, but tasted like crap.
i will stick to your JD.

cheers

Valerio

Excuse me, if I'm wrong, but doesn't this simply mean they'd have to use special labels for the wine they want to export to Europe? I honestly don't think that's THAT big of a problem. Nowhere does it say that the EU actually wants to ban those wines.

hum.....I'm from Europe...and I have never heard of this law...I'll check it out...

The list of European products banned in the USA is endless. Don't pretend this is just a one way direction.

This is a direct attack by the French against Chateau Montelena who embarrassed and enraged the snooty bastards so many years ago, when this Napa wine beat out all others in a blind tasting.

This is an outrageous sanction, and something must be done!

I think it's perfectly reasonable to prohibit American wine having terms like Chateau on it. It is not only pretentious but misleading for a wine that comes from no where near France to have a French word on the front of the label. As for banning imports, I'm sure America has a ban on all sorts of things being imported in, such as tobacco from certain areas, and some stuff from Mexico, they partly do it to minimise competition with their own tobacco industry. If America can do stuff like this, why shouldn't Europe try to monopolise its wine industry. Oh, and why don't they ban the terms from being on Australian and South African wines while they are on, I would if it was up to me.

Sounds like a case of "sour grapes" to me. What's the point? I'll bet they will never ban the word "Crappy". Would anybody like some Vine De Crappy wine? "Hey! We Europeans are the only ones allowed to sell Crappy wine around here because have been selling it for centuries and so we exclusively claim it all!"
Look, If anybody doesn't know the difference between American and European wines, then protecting these stupid names and terminologies isn't going to do any good. The way to compete and protect your business is to make better wine. Not try to manipulate the system to exclude the competition in spite of the demand. If anything, it's only going to piss off the customers by taking away their choices- or making it more difficult. I think this is just a sign that Europe just can't handle friendly competition. And, as usual, it's going to backfire. And it is such a pity because most of the people of America are descendants of Europe and so we are so much alike in so many ways- which is why we tend to use common names and terminologies. Not because we are trying to confuse people or trick them into buying our products which is absurd. Can't they ever learn how to take a compliment?