It’s positive news for Australian Prosecco as Australia walks away from EU Trade Deal.
It’s great news for Australian Prosecco producers as the European Union (EU) trade deal talks in Osaka, which were set to restrict the use of the name Prosecco in Australia, have collapsed.
The trade talks had been in deadlock since July and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell had hoped for an improved offer from the EU, but they remained immovable on their terms and it could be years before talks are entered into again.
Austalia’s first Prosecco producers, the Dal Zotto family, based in the the country’s home of Prosecco, the King Valley in North East Victoria are thrilled with the news.
Christian Dal Zotto says, “What an exciting day it is for not just our family, but for the all prosecco producers across the country. Thank you to all the people who have supported us along the way.”
In a statement by Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive, Lee McLean, he says, “We commend the resolve of Trade Minister Don Farrell in walking away from a free trade deal that was not in the best interests of Australian prosecco producers. The Government has made the right decision. We are fully supportive of the Australian Government’s decision to step away from ongoing negotiations rather than accept deal that is not in the interest of Australian Prosecco producers or the broader agricultural sector.”
Michael Dal Zotto adds, “From my perspective, it gives us more security in the medium-term. We’ve had capital investment on hold and this gives us the freedom and security to move forward. It’s very good news. I’ve done a lot of work with both sides of Government on this and we’ve received great support all the way through.”
For Italy’s sparkling wine, there is no legally protected Prosecco region, i.e. Prosecco does not have a Geographic Indicator like Champagnedoes. Consequently, anybody who produces a sparkling wine from the Glera grape using a minimum 85% of that grape can currently call it Prosecco.
Australia’s Proseccoindustry is currently worth over $205 million and this proposal would have restricted the use of the name Prosecco in Australia effectively preventing local producers from using the name to market their own sparkling wines made from the same grape variety.
