The discussions and political posturing over whether the EU will allow the blending of red and white wine make rosé continues and get more tedious and silly by the day.
Here is a piece written by follow journalist Hervé Lalau expressing similar exasperation over the French position on this issue:
'It is so very strange to hear French Minister of Agriculture Barnier phasing such negative comments about rosé blends (red + white) - the 'infamous' proposal made by the European Commission, in the framework of its new viticultural practices project. Nothing in this proposal seems to suit the French Minister, who sees it as an attack on authentic wines. So he wants to ban blended rosés in France, at least.
Apparently, though, Mr Barnier does not know the subtleties of this case - or so he pretends. The Brussels proposal only concerns non-appellation wines, so nothing prevents Côtes de Provence, Anjou, Tavel or other AOCs from banning coupage, or blending red and white wine, if that is what they wish (the main problem for them being to ensure that their winegrowers abide by the official rules - which is not even always the case today, as I am told).
And as concerns non appellation wines, a ban is ridiculous: blending would just mean that European vin de table (mostly brands) could at last compete with SA or Chilean rosés at the lowest price segment on export markets. One is not speaking here about heritage wines, or even terroir wines, so authenticity is not relevant. Price is.
And please, Mr Barnier, let us taste and judge by ourselves if all Côtes de Provence are really better that blended rosés.
Another surprising mistake by the Minister: doesn't he know that Champagne rosés have been using white-red blending for years? So are they artificial? Not authentic? Does he intend to ban them also?
Bah, this is only a political stand. Mr. Barnier is about to resign so that he can lead the UMP list for the European elections and he may wish to leave the impression that he has done something for the winegrowers - curiously enough, he was nowhere to be heard in the recent debate about wine & cancer. What a pity!
By the way, the French representative at Brussels did vote in favour of the Brussels proposal, which means that there was an agreement amongst French winegrowers at the time - negotiations did take place at the French national level, and the ministry surely knew it. A communiqué by the AGEV (French wine producers' association) confirms it.
This is a-only a smokescreen. But it won't improve France's credibilty in Europe.'
Hervé's original version in French can be found here.
Here is a piece written by follow journalist Hervé Lalau expressing similar exasperation over the French position on this issue:
'It is so very strange to hear French Minister of Agriculture Barnier phasing such negative comments about rosé blends (red + white) - the 'infamous' proposal made by the European Commission, in the framework of its new viticultural practices project. Nothing in this proposal seems to suit the French Minister, who sees it as an attack on authentic wines. So he wants to ban blended rosés in France, at least.
Apparently, though, Mr Barnier does not know the subtleties of this case - or so he pretends. The Brussels proposal only concerns non-appellation wines, so nothing prevents Côtes de Provence, Anjou, Tavel or other AOCs from banning coupage, or blending red and white wine, if that is what they wish (the main problem for them being to ensure that their winegrowers abide by the official rules - which is not even always the case today, as I am told).
And as concerns non appellation wines, a ban is ridiculous: blending would just mean that European vin de table (mostly brands) could at last compete with SA or Chilean rosés at the lowest price segment on export markets. One is not speaking here about heritage wines, or even terroir wines, so authenticity is not relevant. Price is.
And please, Mr Barnier, let us taste and judge by ourselves if all Côtes de Provence are really better that blended rosés.
Another surprising mistake by the Minister: doesn't he know that Champagne rosés have been using white-red blending for years? So are they artificial? Not authentic? Does he intend to ban them also?
Bah, this is only a political stand. Mr. Barnier is about to resign so that he can lead the UMP list for the European elections and he may wish to leave the impression that he has done something for the winegrowers - curiously enough, he was nowhere to be heard in the recent debate about wine & cancer. What a pity!
By the way, the French representative at Brussels did vote in favour of the Brussels proposal, which means that there was an agreement amongst French winegrowers at the time - negotiations did take place at the French national level, and the ministry surely knew it. A communiqué by the AGEV (French wine producers' association) confirms it.
This is a-only a smokescreen. But it won't improve France's credibilty in Europe.'
Hervé's original version in French can be found here.
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