Petition Launched Calling for Truth in
Wine Labeling
Effort
aimed at protecting consumers globally,
follows effort by U.S. and
European wine regions to promote the importance
of location to wine
Washington,
DC - In an effort to gain consumer
support for the clear and accurate labeling
of wine, producers from seven well-known
wine regions launched the Wine Place &
Origins online petition today. Aimed at
wine consumers around the globe, the petition
asserts the importance of location to
wine and articulates the need to protect
place names as a priority of consumers
and wine regions alike.
"Consumers rate location as one of
the most important factors in determining
which wine they will purchase. Accurately
and honestly stating the location of a
wine's origin should be required by law
to protect the consumer," said Shannon
Hunt of Center for Wine Origins. "Idaho
potatoes cannot be from Virginia anymore
than Virginia peanuts can be from Idaho."
Grapes are grown under conditions unique
to each location - land, air, water and
weather. Known as "place names"
- these geographic labels should only
be applied to wines or spirits produced
in those true, unique locations and assure
consumers that a product is of a particular
origin. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court,
the California Supreme Court and the California
Legislature acted to protect or reinforce
truth in labeling laws mandating that
the correct "source," or location
where wine grapes are grown be accurately
cited on wine labels. These laws ensure
accurate labeling and better protect the
consumer.
"Wine is now a $100 billion global
industry and consumers worldwide should
not settle for anything but authentic,
unique products. Accurate labeling is
critical to ensuring consumers of a wine's
unique qualities and attributes to help
them make an informed buying decision,"
said Linda Reiff, executive director of
Napa Valley Vintners. "Consumers
have a right to know that any wine that
carries the name Napa is indeed from the
Napa Valley Appellation."
A new national survey released last week
shows that an overwhelming majority of
consumers understand that location matters.
Conducted by Fairbank, Maslin & Associates,
the poll's key findings include:
> 85%
believe that the region or location where
a wine comes from is an important factor
in their decision to buy a particular
bottle of wine.
> 81%
agree that wines should only be allowed
to use a specific geographic location
on their labels if they are actually made
in that location.
> 78% agree that the
region or location from which wine comes
is extremely important in determining
its quality.
The online petition gives voice to these
consumers who are clearly concerned about
wine authenticity. By signing the petition,
consumers are demanding clear and accurate
labeling, stating that "We, as wine
consumers, want clear label laws. This
ensures we know where our wine comes from
and protects the integrity of wine growing
regions worldwide."
The petition was initially signed by the
seven regions of Champagne (France), Jerez
(Spain), Napa Valley (California), Porto
(Portugal), Oregon, Walla Walla and Washington
State and follows their historic adoption
of a set of joint principles to protect
wine place names on July 26, 2005---the
Joint Declaration to Protect Wine &
Place.
The Wine Place & Origins online petition
can be found at www.protectplace.com
and is available for signatures beginning
today.
Read below what other supporting
wine regions are saying about the Wine
Place & Origins petition.
"This effort comes at a time when
there is a growing concern about mislabeling
in the United States. Consumers, in particular,
have the right know that the label on
the bottle accurately reflects the place
and origin of the wine inside," said
Robin Pollard of the Washington Wine Commission.
"It is simply not fair to mislead
consumers."
"It is significant that wine regions
from around the world have come together
in an effort to protect the "place
names" associated with many of the
world's finest wines. These distinctive
characteristics cannot be replicated nor
copied," said Daniel Lorson of Comité
Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne
(CIVC). "This petition gives consumers
a chance to make their voices heard on
that point."
"The Walla Walla Valley wine community
is proud to be part of an effort that
will help consumers make informed decisions
about their wine selections," said
Elizabeth Martin-Calder, executive director
of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance.
"Research shows that Americans are
increasingly knowledgeable about wine.
They want to know that what they are buying
is authentic. Making sure that wine consumers
- the ultimate decision makers on this
issue - have the opportunity to weigh-in
only strengthens the integrity of our
industry."
"Global consumers understand what
a powerful role location plays in shaping
the unique characteristics of the wines
that they love. This petition gives voice
to those who feel authenticity and integrity
in wine labeling is critical," said
Cesar Saldana of the Consejo Regulador
de las Denominaciones de Origen Jerez-Xeres-Sherry.
"Over the last 18 months, we've seen
a real change in interest and concern
on this issue in the United States. Clearly
from a trade, legal, and legislative perspective,
more and more people are realizing there's
a problem. And indeed, from a consumer
protection point of view, it's essential
we all work together to address it,"
said Jorge Monteiro of Instituto dos Vinhos
do Douro e Porto (IVDP). "Hopefully
the petition will be yet another stride
toward advancing the discussion on name
protection."
"The Oregon wine industry has been
adamant about strict labeling regulations
for more than 30 years and we are honored
to be a part of this global partnership,"
said Ted Farthing, executive director
of the Oregon Wine Board. "Oregon,
as well as the other wine regions participating
in this petition, understands the tremendous
value of place and wine origin. We have
all spent considerable time and energy
to educate wine consumers on the unique
qualities of our wine. This initiative
will further those efforts and give consumers
an opportunity to voice their support."
Contacts:
Napa Valley Vintners
Terry Hall
707-968-4217
Center for Wine Origins
Laura Lightbody
202-777-3559
llightbody@clsdc.com