> To Washington, Brussels' insistence on protecting GIs smacks 0f arrogance and greed.
The hubris is strong in this one. Too bad, Brussel does not have any natural oil reserves.
The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
131–140 of 265 posts
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#132Earlier quoted context omitted.
Just put where it's manufactured on the label - that's really all that matters.
That is literally what Champagne is: the name of a place in France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_(province)
Yeah, I know. But when we say Champagne, we clearly mean sparking wine of a certain style -- not the location.
No one is confused, and if people really care where it's made they can look at the label. This is just trying to use the force of law to limit competition and favor incumbents. They want to claim something is a trademark that isn't.
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#133Earlier quoted context omitted.
That is literally what Champagne is: the name of a place in France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_(province)
That's disingenuous. If I buy a wine labelled "Champagne" I expect a dry sparkling wine, not a random red wine from a certain region in France. It is used to indicate product type, not origin.
You can't buy red wine with the name champagne, that's a silly notion. I expect champagne to match not only the wine type, but also quality requirements, specific production methods, grape types, and yes also area of production.
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#134>"The Old World supplied the immigrants. It seems to be very weird that you’re saying that people can’t take culture with them," You can take the culture, not the terroir , that's the point. Actual buffalo mozzarella from Campania, to take something that would be familiar to an English-speaking audience, just tastes different. Using the same process isn't enough . And that's assuming the culture survives untouched, w…
I find it hard to believe we can’t figure out why it tastes different.
Soil is complicated. The bugs which live in it, more so.
If you can figure it out well enough to (for example) cheaply grow truffles in a backyard greenhouse, you could make a mint.
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#135Earlier quoted context omitted.
Beef made outside of England can be called beef, but not English beef, which is the point of protected geographical indications (although this case doesn't need PGI, it's already protected under other laws regarding the indications of the origin of products).
But we don't call it french champagne, we just call it champaign or cognac.
champagne is a region in france ie a location, no need to call it 'french' champagne.
so they're able to say champagne can only be made in the region of champagne
You're free to say sparkling wine - which is what champagne is
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#136> The wording is strange, it looks like they say that it is wrong to say that it is inauthentic. But, there is no doubt, if you buy Greek feta that is manufactured in Australia in addition with different recipes and ingredients origins, it is clearly inauthentic and deceptive.
You can buy australian feta though and package it in greek - and then its authentic.
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#137This isn’t just an EU/US thing - even within the EU people are unhappy about not being able to call their product Feta just because it’s created outside of Greece.
I'm sure some people are unhappy. But I am, as a consumer, very happy that I can easily distinguish proper feta from second-rate imitations that used to be sold with the same name. Same for a multitude of other cheeses: say, halloumi used to be some random chewy white blob, and now I know there's a certain guarantee behind the name.
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
Here's the thing: I'd argue in the US calling it "feta" is not deceptive, because most people I know have no expectation that feta cheese necessarily comes from some area of Greece. I have no problem labeling a cheese "feta" if the location of production is clearly indicated. "Feta" is just "shorthand" for "feta-style". Everyone will just call it "feta" anyway. Maybe it doesn't matter if it says "feta-style" or "feta…
Note that Cheddar isn't protected, but "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar" is. My cynical take is that it doesn't have a more general designation because companies couldn't profit from Cheddar the way they do if it had to be produced in Cheddar Gorge.
I'm surprised the town/ region of cheddar haven't tried to get geographical right to cheddar cheese
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#139> The wording is strange, it looks like they say that it is wrong to say that it is inauthentic. But, there is no doubt, if you buy Greek feta that is manufactured in Australia in addition with different recipes and ingredients origins, it is clearly inauthentic and deceptive.
You can buy australian feta though and package it in greek - and then its authentic.
no you can't.
Re: The EU’s disputed system of geographical indications is taking over the planet (2017)
#140The US argument against it, based on immigrants, is rather convoluted — and quite idiotic. How many poor Champagne producers do you think emigrated to the US? Not one, considering how it's always been a luxury product and it's not that ancient. Do they deserve protection? Well Coca Cola sure does, why not them?
"Champagne" does sound better and more exclusive compared to "sparkling wine".