In message .
au>
"Martin Field" > wrote:

> Australian winemakers have a long history of cultural cringing - that is,
> using European, mainly French names for their wines.
Was it then cringing or an honest recognition, if not of roots, at
least of grafting at a time when there was much more to be learnt from
Europe than to teach?
> Most finally stopped
> this pathetic practice after being dragged into the late twentieth century
> by litigation and international trade treaties.

You mean the lawyers, diplomats and politicians actually achieved
something?


> But a few winemakers have short memories - a stroll through retail liquor
> aisles will reveal the increasing usage on Australian labels of the
> Frenchified term syrah (Ooh bloody la la) instead of the good ol' Aussie
> shiraz.
Just as well - we don't want any confusion between the two for the
poor ignorant fellow who might buy the wrong one of the two and expect
to get wine.


> Consumers beware, Australian wines labelled syrah will undoubtedly
> carry a premium price. Wine marketing tosseurs (******* in Australian) have
> a lot to answer for.

Thanks for the warning - I think I may stick to the Rhone with or
without varietal labels.



Tim Hartley