Maybe it’s the EU that needs to change
The SF Chronicle picked up the story I commented on last week regarding the signing of a declaration by wine makers from around the world. The issue at hand comes back to trademark and branding. They argue that because Champagne (among other wine brand names), comes only from the Champagne region in France that it shouldn’t be used by anyone else. Makes since right?
Bruno Paillard of Champagne Bruno Paillard, representing Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC)argues “Just as it doesn’t make sense for Florida oranges to come from New Mexico or Idaho potatoes from Georgia, a wine bearing the name of Napa Valley or Champagne should not come from China,” Paillard says.
The only problem with that is most people know Champagne by THAT name, not by the product it represents. If wine makers from Champagne had originally bottled their product by PRODUCT NAME, Sparkling White Wine, then added the region, Champagne, this debate wouldn’t be happening. The problem is Champagne is the brand name now, like ketchup, and that’s what the people recognize the product as. Maybe it’s the Europeans that need to change the name on their labels from Champagne to “Sparkling White Wine, Champagne” so as not to cause confusion. Then in the U.S., labels produced by Andre or Korbel could read “Sparkling White Wine, California” and these producers could feel confident people will not miss the point of their product.
August 10th, 2005 at 6:26 am
??? Champange is from Champange! No debate, Korbel needs to get over it! Napa is even getting in on this, due to 2 buck chuck. I don’t think turning over something that all but one country goes along with, will help out in the long run. Every region should have it’s own name. Why doesn’t Korbel make their own special name, instead of stealing from someone else. Even when Korbel was set up back in the 1800’s Champange was a distinct product.
If you want Champange to change because of Korbel, then maybe burgundy should, and bordeaux, not to mention Sherry, port and many others.
August 10th, 2005 at 10:37 am
Thanks for the comments, however, this is the same argument that has been presented by everyone else. The problem I have with it is the public perception of the name. Let’s say Pleasanton was a great Viognier growing region, and they made Late Harvest Sparkling Viognier, and that’s pretty much all they did. Now let’s pretend they bottled their Late Harvest Sparkling Viognier as Chateau [enter last name here] Pleasanton and all Chateaus in thee town followed suit. Now let’s asume that this bottle became world renowned and everytime someone wanted a bottle of Late Harvest Sparkling Viognier, they referred to it by it’s region, Pleasanton, because that’s what is on the label. Now let’s pretend other people wanted to make the same wine in other parts of the world (heaven forbid), but unfortuneatly the mass market only knew this varietal as Pleasanton. This is the delema we have, and yes, this is EXACTLY the same scenario.
If you notice in my post, I don’t recommend calling Korbels wine Champagne, that is wrong and misleading to consumers and should not be done. However, I feel better labeling on the part of the aforementioned offenders, Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Sherry, Port, etc is the answer. They are the ones that have caused the confusion.
Maybe this is another testimate to why the french have been losing ground in the world market of wine.
August 16th, 2005 at 1:03 am
You are so right. Last year when I went to France I couldn’t believe it but they didn’t speak american. They wouldn’t take my dollar I had to buy play money called the Euro (just happens to be worth more than the dollar). It should all woork so that the mass market (stupid americans) can figure it out. Oh heck it be like callin a coke, pepsi or worse goin in micky d’s and orderin a whopper. Just plain unamerican. Do you really think that the entire world of wine should change because this country just found out that this stuff is better than Bud. Sir would you like Champagne or sparkling wine? Just give me the one with bubbles!!
August 16th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
Yes you are right, the whole world doesn’t revolve around the US, and that is one thing internet use has taught us.
But just because Europe started by calling their wine by place, doesn’t mean that should be the hard and fast rule for the rest of the world. If that name, champagne is indeed synonymous with the product worldwide, then I don’t see the problem with calling a bottle California Champagne, just as long as their isn’t any confusion with the place. I’m sure the Europeans are smart enough to know California Champagne isn’t coming from France.
August 20th, 2005 at 6:09 pm
then all the power in the world for 2 buck chuck to say napa cab.
August 22nd, 2005 at 1:01 pm
I would agree with you, but there is one difference. Napa puts the varietal name on their label. There is no confusion on what the wine is and where it is from. I would say then, using the Term Napa WOULD be misleading, given that people understand that Napa is the place and not the varietal. With Champagne, most uneducated wine drinkers don’t make the separation.