C11 - Wine and the Law - Micky - completed Flashcards
What is the primary concern of authorities in charge of food and beverage legislation?
To ensure that what is sold is safe and fit for human consumption
Give an example of an area of food safety which is particularly important in the area of wine
SO2
What is the issue if SO2 levels are not monitored?
High levels can be toxic
Name a safety measure taken pertaining to SO2
In most countries, the words ‘contains sulphites’ must appear on the label
Why is it unlikely that a winery will not need to write ‘contains sulfites’?
Because fermentation produces an amount of sulfites anyway
What is the main responsibility of the entity that puts a product on sale when it comes to labelling?
That descriptions and claims made on packaging are accurate
What is the result on labelling legislation stemming from the necessity of accurate information
Label information needs to be clear and able to be checked
Which two aspects of label integrity are the most important?
Geographical indications
Legally defined quality and style indications
Why are geographical indications a common feature on a wine label?
Because the area where grapes are grown can have a defining influence on the style and quality of the wine
Literally speaking, what is a GI?
A designated vineyard area within a country
Roughly how large are GIs?
They can cover an entire region (e.g. Bordeaux) or a single vineyard (e.g. La Romanee)
What is a major risk for wines that sell at a premium price?
Fraud
Why is GI law relatively complicated?
Because when more than one country is involved in the making of the wine, more than one jurisdiction is at play
How are the complications of GI law managed uniformly?
A GI system has been created by the WTO which all major wine producing countries adhere to
Give an example of a wine-labelling situation which has been changed as a result of WTO GIs/agreements
Australians no longer use the term ‘Chablis’ (or any EU GIs) for any of their wines
List two important regulations enforced regarding WTO GIs
- 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
How are standards different for PDOs?
Typically when a GI is stated on a label, then typically 85% of the liquid in the bottle will come from that GI
But some PDO wines by local laws require 100% of the grapes must come from the stated region.
How many quality categories are EU GIs split into? What are they?
- Two
- Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
- Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
Broadly speaking, what is the difference between PDOs and PGIs?
PDOs are smaller areas with more tightly defined regulations
What is the term most commonly used in place of PDO in France? What does it stand for?
- AC
- Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (原產地法定管制)
What is increasingly being used in France in place of Vin de Pays?
IGP (Indication géographique protegee)
What makes european GIs unique?
Local laws will typically also state what grape varieties can be grown and what grape-growing and winemaking techniques can be used
What is the theoretical result of european GIs combining with stringent local laws?
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
What does the european GI system promote?
Quality and fraud prevention
How is the principle that european GI laws prevent fraud, further reinforced by PDO law?
PDO rules state that 100% of grapes must come from the stated GI
Give two reasons as to why many producers prefer to make wines in the PGI category as opposed to the PDO category
The PGI category allows the use of non-traditional varieties in the blend and rules governing production are less strict
Loosely describe PGI wines
They can range from wines of exceptional quality which simply fall outside of PDO boundaries, to inexpensive high-volume wines
What is a notable labelling difference between PGI wines and PDO wines?
PGI wines will usually state grape variety on the label
What category of wine offers european winemakers the most flexible production rules?
Wine without a GI
Give an example of what a wine brand owner may be able to create without the restrictions of GI rules
Create multi-regional blends by sourcing grapes from different parts of a country, or even multi-national blends
Nearly on non EU wines fall into what legal production category?
Wines with a GI
What is the major difference between EU and non-EU GI wines?
Non-EU wines are not governed by local laws to define and limit what local varieties can be planted
What is rarely seen on the label of a non-EU wine?
Legal terms such as Ward, AVA or Zone
When is alcohol consumption not considered as harmful to health?
When consumed in moderation
What is the behavioural effect of too much alcohol being consumed by one person?
It can significantly affect their behaviour, often in dangerous and socially unacceptable ways
Besides behavioural connotations, what are the other potential undesirable effects of alcohol in excess?
- It can be addictive
- It can have negative effects on short-term and long-term health
In which cultures is alcohol consumption banned altogether?
In those which consider it socially unacceptable
How government control access to alcohol and limit its potential harmful effects?
By using legislation
What are the two biggest focuses of alcohol legislation in most countries?
A minimum age being set for personal consumption
Blood alcohol levels when driving
How is blood alcohol usually expressed?
mg of ethanol per ml of blood
Why is drink-driving monitored? (What are the main effects which make drink-driving dangerous?)
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
How else do governments sometimes encourage safe alcohol consumption?
By publishing ‘sensible drinking’ guidelines
What is the main constituent of sensible drinking guidelines?
Recommended daily and weekly maximum consumption amounts expressed as fixed quantities of alcohol or ‘units’
How may a government place limits on advertising and marketing of alcohol?
- Through voluntary industry codes
- Through direct legislation
- A combination of both
What are marketing and advertising legislation designed to do?
Place limits on lifestyle claims that can be made or encourage/require the use of responsible drinking messaging in advertising and on packaging
Why Australia can no longer use the terms “Fino” and “Amontillado” on their Sherry styled fortified wines?
EU has limited these labeling terms copied in other countries.
French term for PDO?
AOP - Appellation d’Origin Protégée (原產地法定保護)
