NOOOOOOOOO! Prosecco and moscato could be BANNED from Australia
The shock new law that no mum wants to know about ...
- by
Amy Sinclair
A push from the European Union officials could result in a shock ban for all moscato and prosecco lovers in Australia.
As part of negotiations for a $100 billion trade agreement, the European authorities are insisting that Australian wineries be banned from calling their products prosecco and moscato.
Image: Getty
They believe only wines produced in Italy with the specific grapes grown in the region for moscato and prosecco should be able to use the names - providing a big headache for Australian producers of the two varieties of plonk.
And it’s not just wine - European Union officials are also pushing for several cheeses including feta, parmesan, mozzarella and gruyere to be re-branded also.
The new laws could mean that Australian-made moscato and prosecco will have to be renamed by local wineries - a move they’re fighting tooth and nail.
They say it could threaten their business - the sale of prosecco in Australia alone generates $100million a year - and will damage sales in the international market.
Image: Getty
Further, wine companies such as Brown Brothers don’t believe the use of the prosecco branding should be restricted as they first brought glera grapes - the fruit used to make the bubbly favourite - to Australian shores two decades ago.
The good news is that Trade Minister Simon Birmingham is still battling out the negotiations, so the war isn’t over yet. Fingers crossed!
Amy SinclairAmy Sinclair is a contibutor for New Idea Food.