Chennai: An Italy-based entity, a competitor of the famous champagne of France, has approached the country seeking the coveted Geographical Indication status for its wine ‘Prosecco’. The Italian consortium for protection of ‘Prosecco, ‘Consorzio Di Tutela Della Denominazione Di Origine Controllata Prosecco,’ has filed the petition before the Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai, for protection of ‘Prosecco’ under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registrations and Protection) Act, 1999.
The wine, low in alcohol (11 to 12 per cent by volume) is known for its intensely aromatic and crisp taste, bringing to mind the yellow apple. Italy’s most famous wine is brewed in three varieties – still, semi-sparkling and sparkling. The sparkling wine, famous in several countries, including the US, Australia and Brazil, was launched in India in 2006 and is priced between Rs1,300 and Rs1,800 a bottle.
The wine has been named after Prosecco village near Trieste, Italy. It is brewed in Veneto, Friuli Venezia regions (north-eastern Italy) and other areas including Belluno, Gorizia, Padua, Treviso and Trieste. The area is characterised by level land and some hilly terrain. The Alps in the north protect the vineyards from cold winds.
Over 150 million bottles of the wine are produced annually in Italy. More than 100 producers are involved in brewing wine in the region. They have formed the consortium to protect and promote Prosecco, and are authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, Italy. The wine has obtained GI status in Italy and Europe.
The consortium has filed the application for coordinating, representing and managing the controlled designation of origin of the wine. The petitioner has sought to protect the wine from abuse, unfair trade competition and forgeries in the country.
The petition, filed with the assistant registrar, Geographical Indications Registry, Chinnaraja G. Naidu recently, would be scrutinised by the department soon. The registry will take up the matter and appoint experts to study the details mentioned in the petition. It will make announcement regarding the petition to receive any objection. The process will take a few months.
