A Prosecco debate rages in both Australia and New Zealand. The big question is whether Prosecco should be considered as being a grape variety or a geographical origin. Up until 2009, Prosecco was the name of the grape with which the sparkling wine Prosecco was produced in north-eastern Italy. But then the Italians changed the name of the grape to Glera and decided that Prosecco was a geographical name in order to protect the name and prevent others within the EU from using it.
Now the EU wants to extend this protection to countries outside the Community.
The EU is currently renegotiating its trade agreement with New Zealand. If the country accepts EU’s requirements, it would mean the end of domestic Prosecco production and the import into New Zealand of the Australian Prosecco. However, the risk seems small.
New Zealand, and Australia, consider prosecco to be a grape and nothing else. And a grape name cannot be protected.
Read about the discussions between the EU and New Zealand on Prosecco: meininger.
Travel: Come on a wine tour to New Zealand with BKWine.
