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Why Italian Winemakers Are Fighting to Banish Prosecco From Your Wine Collection
A Spat Over a Name
Prosecco, one of the world's most popular sparkling wines, is at the center of a dispute between Italy and Croatia. Italian Prosecco makers are trying to stop Croatian winemakers from using the name “Prosek” for their own sparkling wines.
The History of Prosecco
Prosecco is a sparkling wine made from the Glera grape. It is produced in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. The name Prosecco comes from the village of Prosecco, which is located in the Valdobbiadene DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) zone.
The Croatian Connection
The Croatian wine region of Dalmatia has a long history of producing a sweet dessert wine called Prosek. This wine is made from dried grapes and is typically aged in oak barrels.
The Battle Begins
In 2013, the Italian government filed a complaint with the European Union (EU) over the use of the name “Prosek” by Croatian winemakers. The Italian government argued that the name Prosecco was protected under EU law and that Croatian winemakers were infringing on that protection.
The EU Ruling
In 2019, the EU ruled in favor of Italy. The EU ruled that the name Prosecco was protected and that Croatian winemakers could not use the name for their wines.
The Croatian Response
The Croatian government has said that it will not comply with the EU ruling. The Croatian government argues that the name Prosek is a traditional Croatian name and that it should be allowed to use the name for its wines.
The Future of Prosecco
The dispute between Italy and Croatia over the name Prosecco is likely to continue for some time. It is unclear how the dispute will be resolved, but it is clear that the name Prosecco is a valuable asset for Italian winemakers.
Conclusion
The dispute between Italy and Croatia over the name Prosecco is a reminder of the importance of intellectual property rights. It is also a reminder of the deep cultural ties that exist between wine and the regions where it is produced.