In the meantime, the European Union is solving the file requesting the endorsement for this new name. The request would be transitory until Brussels approves or disapproves of what ABRA, the Rioja Alavesa Winery Association, is asking for.
The Association of Wineries of Rioja Alavesa (ABRA) asked it Basque government sell in Spain came with the label “Alava Vineyards”while the European Union resolves the file in which to approval for this new designation Executive sources have confirmed receipt of this request, which would be transitory until Brussels approves or not the new designation claimed by ABRA; In the event that the EU rejects this request, which is strongly opposed by the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin Regulatory Council (DOCa), the ABRA association would have to withdraw that brand.
The project to create its own designation for Álava wines dates back to 2016, when ABRA started the process at the request of some 40 wineries. This was paralyzed a year later, when the Regulatory Council of the DOCa Rioja agreed to a greater differentiation for its wines, with the possibility of indicating origin by area or by municipality on the labeling of the bottles.
In 2019, ABRA reactivated the request, on the understanding that this differentiation fell short of expectations, and in March 2021, the Basque government gave its approval to process the name “Arabako Mahastiak-Viñedos de Álava”.
The DOCa Rioja has appealed this “new and artificial” designation, but the Basque government rejected it, so it sent the file to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the competent administration to complete the registration with the EU. Even then, the Spanish Minister Luis Planas said that this new name was not to his liking, because the DOCa Rioja is “a real international reference” and “one of the most valuable quality brands in the European Union”.
Planas added that “anything that adds is fine”, and “what remains” does not seem “the most appropriate”, but he made it clear that it is an issue for the winemakers to resolve, and that the ministry had to process the petition to Brussels. .
Opposition of the government of La Rioja
The government of La Rioja has also opposed this new brand “based on confrontation”, “which aims to create confusion in the markets and consumers” and “misses distinguishing elements” justifying the need for “specific protection”. It has always defended itself against the unity of the DOCa Rioja as a supra-autonomous denomination, which includes Navarra, the Basque Country and La Rioja.
The file is already in the hands of the Community authorities, but since it may take some time to resolve it, ABRA has decided to ask the Basque government for the temporary use of the name “Viñedos de Álava”, limited in principle to Spain.
The Ministry of Sustainability, Economic Development and Environment, led by adviser Arantxa Tapia, will be responsible for resolving this request, within an unspecified time frame as, as Ministry sources explained to EFE, a case like this is not even settled. .
At this time, it is unknown how many wineries are willing to use the name “Viñedos de Álava” on their labels, as apparently many of the 40 wineries that supported the initiative six years ago have gradually withdrawn from the project.
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
