Burgundy, Champagne gain UN protected status

[Robin Garr]

Unesco has granted World Heritage site status to Burgundy and Champagne. Will this finally put an end to US (and other) producers "borrowing" these hallowed place names?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/19/dinin ... il0=y&_r=0

[David M. Bueker]

Isn't "Hearty Burgundy of California" a trademarked name? Does the UN get to supersede (even dubious) trademarks?

My greatest hope is that the UN recognition of French wine and gastronomy will blunt the neo-prohibitionist zeal of the French public health authorities. There is a powerful section of opinion that seems to be saying the wine is OK for export but we should stop French people from indulging . Luckily the message seems to be lost on most French men and women whom I know.

IMO, Californian or Aussie, say, plonk masquerading as Burgundy or Chablis is a false problem. Who is fooled? Most producers from these places with any pride are keen to foster their own identity. However I do support the continuing effort to stop the use of "Champagne" as a universal name for sparkling wine.

IMO, Californian or Aussie, say, plonk masquerading as Burgundy or Chablis is a false problem. Who is fooled? Most producers from these places with any pride are keen to foster their own identity..

Sure. But at least from an American perspective, I know there are plenty of people who aren't aware of the distinction. They are most likely to purchase on the low end of the market, and probably won't be competing for high-end Burgundy anyway. But one never knows and presumably it limits their interest in migrating up the chain.