"Clyde Gill" wrote............
> >
> >> I heard through the rumor mill that the term "Methode
> >> Champenoise" is no longer allowed on the label of non-Champagne
> >> wines and is being replaced with "Methode Traditionelle" (sp?).
> >> Has anyone else heard this?
> >
> >That's EU legislation for some years now.
> >

>
> Yes, but what effect does EU legislation have on wines produced
> and purchased across the pond?


The only effect is that any wine labelled thus cannot be exported/imported
into the EU.

In fact, even if that specific wine was not being exported, but the
producing winery exported other wines into the EU - they *may* experience
*problems*.

It may come as a surprise to some US contributors to this ng - but the UK
market is vastly more important than the US market to most antipodean
wineries.

I know that here in NZ when the EU says "Jump!" - we just say "How high!!!"

Mind you - some NZ wineries export up to 50% of their production - so they
are "sensitive" to say the least.

The word "Méthode" is the locally used word to describe sparkling wines made
from the Méthode Traditionnelle.

"Méthode Champenoise" is now *never* used (even in the local market) for
fear that its use will jeopardise exports.



And use of the geographic words "Burgundy", "Chablis" or "Champagne" to
describe NZ made wine is illegal.



..................

st.helier