C11 - Wine and the Law

Question 1

What is the primary concern of authorities in charge of food and beverage legislation?

Answer 1

To ensure that what is sold is safe and fit for human consumption

Question 2

Give an example of an area of food safety which is particularly important in the area of wine

Answer 2

SO2 - High levels can be toxic
In most countries, the words ‘contains sulphites’ must appear on the label but fermentation produces an amount of sulfites so they may be required to put it on the label even if they do not at SO2

Question 3

What is the main responsibility of the entity that puts a product on sale when it comes to labelling?

Answer 3

That descriptions and claims made on packaging are accurate

Question 4

What is the result on labelling legislation stemming from the necessity of accurate information

Answer 4

Label information needs to be clear and able to be checked

Question 5

Which two aspects of label integrity are the most important?

Answer 5

Geographical indications

Legally defined quality and style indications

Question 6

Why are geographical indications a common feature on a wine label?

Answer 6

Because the area where grapes are grown can have a defining influence on the style and quality of the wine

Question 7

Literally speaking, what is a GI?

Answer 7

A designated vineyard area within a country

Question 8

Roughly how large are GIs?

Answer 8

They can cover an entire region (e.g. Bordeaux) or a single vineyard (e.g. La Romanee)

Question 9

What is a major risk for wines that sell at a premium price?

Answer 9

Fraud

Question 10

Why is GI law relatively complicated?

Answer 10

Because when more than one country is involved in the making of the wine, more than one jurisdiction is at play

Question 11

How are the complications of GI law managed uniformly?

Answer 11

A GI system has been created by the WTO which all major wine producing countries adhere to

Question 12

Give an example of a wine-labelling situation which has been changed as a result of WTO GIs/agreements

Answer 12

Australians no longer use the term ‘Chablis’ (or any EU GIs) for any of their wines

Question 13

List two important regulations enforced regarding WTO GIs

Answer 13

If a GI is stated on a label, then typically 85% of the liquid in the bottle will come from that GI (this is not a standard though)
There are significant variations between the way that GI legislation within the EU and outside of it

Question 14

How are standards different for PDOs?

Answer 14

100% of grapes must come from the stated region for PDOs

Question 15

How many quality categories are EU GIs split into? What are they?

Answer 15

Two
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) - AC or AOC in France - Appellation d’origine protegee
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
PDOs are smaller areas with more tightly defined regulations

Question 16

What is increasingly being used in France in place of Vin de Pays?

Answer 16

IGP (Indication géographique protegee)

Question 17

What makes european GIs unique?

Answer 17

Local laws will typically also state what grape varieties can be grown and what grape-growing and winemaking techniques can be used

Question 18

What is the theoretical result of european GIs combining with stringent local laws?

Answer 18

By identifying grape varieties and processes that were used create the region’s best wines, the system can protect what is seen as the unique identity of local wines

Question 19

What does the european GI system promote?

Answer 19

Quality and fraud prevention

Question 20

How is the principle that european GI laws prevent fraud, further reinforced by PDO law?

Answer 20

PDO rules state that 100% of grapes must come from the stated GI

Question 21

Give two reasons as to why many producers prefer to make wines in the PGI category as opposed to the PDO category

Answer 21

The PGI category allows the use of non-traditional varieties in the blend
Rules governing production are less strict

Question 22

Loosely describe PGI wines

Answer 22

They can range from wines of exceptional quality which simply fall outside of PDO boundaries, to inexpensive high-volume wines

Question 23

What is a notable labelling difference between PGI wines and PDO wines?

Answer 23

PGI wines will usually state grape variety on the label

Question 24

What category of wine offers european winemakers the most flexible production rules?

Answer 24

Wine without a GI

Question 25

Give an example of what a wine brand owner may be able to create without the restrictions of GI rules

Answer 25

Create multi-regional blends by sourcing grapes from different parts of a country, or even multi-national blends

Question 26

Nearly on non EU wines fall into what legal production category?

Answer 26

Wines with a GI

Question 27

What is the major difference between EU and non-EU GI wines?

Answer 27

Non-EU wines are not governed by local laws to define and limit what local varieties can be planted

Question 28

What is rarely seen on the label of a non-EU wine?

Answer 28

Legal terms such as Ward, AVA or Zone

Question 29

When is alcohol consumption not considered as harmful to health?

Answer 29

When consumed in moderation

Question 30

What is the behavioural effect of too much alcohol being consumed by one person?

Answer 30

It can significantly affect their behaviour, often in dangerous and socially unacceptable ways

Question 31

Besides behavioural connotations, what are the other potential undesirable effects of alcohol in excess?

Answer 31

It can be addictive

It can have negative effects on short-term and long-term health

Question 32

In which cultures is alcohol consumption banned altogether?

Answer 32

In those which consider it socially unacceptable

Question 33

How are limits applied to access and harmful effects of wine by governments?

Answer 33

By using legislation

Question 34

What are the two biggest focuses of alcohol legislation in most countries?

Answer 34

A minimum age being set for personal consumption

Blood alcohol levels when driving

Question 35

How is blood alcohol usually expressed?

Answer 35

mg of ethanol per ml of blood

Question 36

Why is drink-driving monitored? (What are the main effects which make drink-driving dangerous?)

Answer 36

Alcohol reduces co-ordination, slows reaction times and increases risk-taking, therefore driving or operating machinery under the influence of alcohol significantly increases the risk of injury or death for the operator/driver and those around them

Question 37

How else do governments sometimes encourage safe alcohol consumption?

Answer 37

By publishing ‘sensible drinking’ guidelines

Question 38

What is the main constituent of sensible drinking guidelines?

Answer 38

Recommended daily and weekly maximum consumption amounts expressed as fixed quantities of alcohol or ‘units’

Question 39

How may a government place limits on advertising and marketing of alcohol?

Answer 39

Through voluntary industry codes
Through direct legislation
A combination of both

Question 40

What are marketing and advertising legislation designed to do?

Answer 40

Place limits on lifestyle claims that can be made or encourage/require the use of responsible drinking messaging in advertising and on packaging