For years the US and Europe have been locked into a “trade tangle,” over naming of wines.  This argument stems from the 2006 agreement Europe and the U.S. had that limited the the use of such terms as “Chablis” and “Champagne” on American wines, thus preserving the geographic sanctity of those winegrowing regions.  In return, American wineries got the OK to keep selling wines in Europe using some 15 non-geographic terms, or so-called “traditional expressions”: chateau, classic, clos, cream, crusted/crusting, fine, late bottled vintage, noble, ruby, superior, sur lie, tawny, vintage, vintage character.

This law will affect American growers of port and sherry, and many large American wineries, like the popular Chateau Ste. Michelle and Napa’s famed Chateau Montelena, will no longer be able to sell wine in Europe.

Do you agree with what Europe is doing?