BOTTEGA, 'GREEN LIGHT FOR AUSTRALIAN PROSECCO'

A free trade agreement is being finalized between the EU and Australia, which provides for a reduction in tariffs on Italian wines in exchange for the Australians' ability to produce and sell locally produced Prosecco. Furthermore, they will be able to export it for 10 years, although it's unclear whether this will be done without considering that the Prosecco brand is exclusively owned by Italy, specifically the consortium. This paradoxical situation requires a reaction not only from all Prosecco producers and consumers worldwide, but also effective action from the Ministry of Agriculture and all relevant institutions. In this regard, however, we are bordering on the absurd, as the President of the Consortium for the Protection of Prosecco DOC has expressed satisfaction with the agreement, without considering the damage to its reputation and the resulting confusion it would generate. This was stated by Sandro Bottega , owner of Bottega SpA, the Veneto winery in Bibano (Treviso) that exports 86% of its wines, including the very famous Prosecco Bottega.

In this case, Italy is also demonstrating weakness towards France, which does not allow Champagne or Bordeaux to be produced in Australia. If the agreement is confirmed, it would also set a precedent, with the risk that other countries could also start producing Prosecco domestically. Imagine the damage and confusion that would be caused to the market if, alongside our denomination, "Australian Prosecco" or "Brazilian Prosecco" were authorized and marketed. Furthermore, the text seems to suggest that Australian producers can also continue to use the grappa denomination, provided they can demonstrate that they have used it within the last five years—a fairly common occurrence, given that they have not respected our denominations for much longer. If this agreement is ratified, it will result in hundreds of millions of euros in damages, once again borne by workers and businesses, victims of incompetent bureaucrats and a distracted Europe disconnected from objective reality. A Europe that we strongly desire and that we believe will save Italy, but which must protect its own denominations. of excellence, putting our foot down when necessary, without giving in to unacceptable negotiations,” concluded the Venetian wine entrepreneur Sandro Bottega.