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Click here to download CIVC Communication Director Daniel Lorson's June 2010 teleconference.

The Sparkling Wine War; Pitting Trademark Rights Against Geographic Indications. Business Law Today. By Carol Robertson:

"But European producers have long recognized the importance of "terroir"—that wine made from grapes grown in a particular location will have a unique taste. The word "terroir" has no English translation. It means place, certainly, but also it implies soil characteristics, climate, and altitude, for example."

The Office of Champagne, USA is now the Champagne Bureau. Along with our name change, we will be unveiling a new logo and Web site in the very near future. Check back often to learn more about this and other exciting developments. For daily updates, follow ChampagneBureau on Twitter!

Australia stops mislabeling Champagne

Producers can no longer use European names on Australian wine

Sept. 1, 2010--As the EU-Australia Wine Trade Agreement come into force today, all Australian wines will phase out the use of “Champagne,” “Port” or “Sherry” on their labels, ending the misuse of European wine names and classifications within one year.

In return for this action, Australia secured recognition of more than a dozen Australian winemaking techniques. Additionally, over 100 Australian geographical indications will also receive protection in the European Union.

“This agreement between Australia and the European Union is a step forward for protecting consumers,” said Sonia Smith, director of the Champagne Bureau. “When consumers buy a bottle of wine, they should be able to rely on the truth of the label.”

More than half the sparkling wine sold in the United States is mislabeled Champagne, under a loophole in the US-EU Wine Accords signed in March 2007. “U.S. consumers deserve the same protection as Australians”, said Smith. ”It’s only Champagne when the wine is from Champagne, France. Australia joins the European Union and a long list of nations, all of which have agreed to recognize and protect wine regional names such as Champagne. ”

Many U.S. wine regions support the effort to protect wine names. Champagne is proud to partner with seven U.S. winemaking regions (Napa Valley, Sonoma, Oregon, Paso Robles, Walla Walla, Long Island and Washington State) as well as seven other international regions (Jerez, Porto, Chianti Classico, Tokaj, Victoria, Rioja, Spain and Western Australia). Together they signed the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin, which recognizes the importance of protecting wine locations and their names.

To show your support for this cause, visit the newly re-launched petition website, http://petition.champagne.us.