Aussie Exporters Unaffected by EU Rose Ruling

By Ian Neubauer

A decision by the European Union (EU) to backtrack on a plan to change the definition of what legally constitutes Rosé wine will have little to no impact on Australian exporters, according to industry sources.

The EU announced last week it would scrap a plan to change the definition of Rosé to include labels that simply blend red and white wines following pressure by the French Government on behalf of its winemakers, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

It means Rosé sold within the EU will still have to be made the old-fashioned way – by allowing grape skins to macerate in their own juice before fermentation begins.

Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC) general manager for compliance and trade, Steve Guy, said the decision would have no implications for Australian exporters.

“Producers of premium Australian Rose do not simply blend red and white wines, although such a technique is not illegal in Australia,” he told TheShout today (Jun 15). “The EU is merely maintaining the legislative status quo.”

A spokesperson for the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) voiced similar sentiments, saying the issue will “not have significant impact” on Australian wine exports to the EU.