Wine and the Law

Question 1

Wine laws are mostly concerned about 3 points:

Answer 1

• Safe levels of chemical used in viticulture & winemaking (SO2)
• Label integrity (GI, quality and style indications)
• Control of alcohol consumption (as toxic/ addictive)

Question 2

What is a GI?

Answer 2

A Geographic Indication referring to a region or place of origin within a country (small or large)

Question 3

What organization has developed a system for GIs to be used by all major wine-producing countries?

Answer 3

The World Trade Organization (WTO)

Question 4

What are 2 quality categories of GIs in EU?

Answer 4

• PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin)
• PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)

Question 5

What are some differences between PDO and PGI in EU?

Answer 5

PGI are larger and have few regulations
PDO are smaller and have tight regulations

Question 6

Why were GI developed?

Answer 6

To ensure a wine is genuinely a product of the grapes grown in the location stated on label, promote quality and prevent fraud

Question 7

What are GIs likely to cover in EU?

Answer 7

Production area, grapes permitted, viticulture method, yield permitted, winemaking techniques and maturation minimum

Question 8

What is an option for a producer unwilling to follow a restrictive PDO system for his wine?

Answer 8

Switch to PGI category as the production rules are less strict.

Question 9

What is an option for a producer unwilling to follow a restrictive PDO system for his wine?

Answer 9

Switch to PGI category as the production rules are less strict.

Question 10

What is a wine without GI in the EU?

Answer 10

It allows for EU producers the most flexible production rules, enabling the sourcing of grapes anywhere. Only following rules concerning safety and accurate labeling.

Question 11

How different are GIs outside of EU?

Answer 11

Large regions/ zones/ districts with no local laws to define and limit what grape varieties can be planted.
AVA, Zone or Wards rarely appear on labels

Question 12

Legal control on the consumption of alcohol usually focus on 4 areas:

Answer 12

-Minimum legal age for purchase and consumption
-Legal limit on the amount of alcohol someone can have in their blood when driving
-Mandatory warning/ guidelines on label
-Limits on advertising and marketing (place/time)