European Farm Ministers Back Reform
In an effort to win back market share from New World wine regions, the European Union Farm Ministers association overwhelmingly agreed on Monday that reform is necessary for the continent’s wine industry to improve. After the embarrassment last year of having to distill millions of gallons of wine into fuel, the EU is eager to avoid the same this year. The group is talking about the removal of 10% of the vineyards in the area, but some fear that farmers would be hurt even more by doing that.
What kind of reform do you think needs to be done in Europe?
One of my gripes has always been labeling. The lack of information and similar label designs make it difficult for the common consumer to choose a wine from Europe. Instead, your average consumer opts for a cute, informative label, from say Australia.
But simply changing labels isn’t going to be a save all. The region as a whole needs a new image, or at least, one that appeals the new consumer. A fun, relaxed, easy going image could attract the next generation wine consumer that isn’t interested in staunch elitism.
Read [International Herald Europe (Associated Press)]
