As Australia and the European Union enter Free Trade Agreement negotiations, it looks like there may be some bumps in the road – specifically over a well-known type of wine: Prosecco.

Australians have long been big fans of prosecco. It's light, bubbly, and perfect for any occasion, whether you're celebrating something special or just want to add a touch of class to your next wine-and-cheese session.

But it looks like our love affair with prosecco may be coming to an end, as Italy is currently in the process of trying to claim full rights over the beverage.



In 2009, Italy changed the prosecco grape variety to ‘Glera’ and expanded the region to include a town with the same name.

And so the European Union is trying to claim exclusive rights to the name ‘prosecco’ by pushing it to join the list of protected names of food and drinks – or the geographical indication register. This means that any prosecco produced in the country can no longer be called ‘prosecco’.

But Aussie winemakers argue that losing the right to call the wine ‘prosecco’ would be ‘catastrophic’ to the Australian wine industry – which contributes over $40 billion annually to the Australian economy.


Local wine producers visited Parliament House in Canberra last Tuesday to state the importance of the prosecco variety on the economy and wine sector.

They argued that prosecco was ‘first and foremost’ a grape variety before it was established as a geographical location.

Lee McLean, General Manager of Australian Grape & Wine, said: ‘It would be like if the Canberra region suddenly decided they would rename the region Shiraz, and they’re banning every other producer of shiraz from using the variety name. It’s the same situation.’



He also stated that the prosecco grape variety skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, growing from a $60 million industry in 2007 to a $205 million industry.

‘The European Union’s approach to this issue is motivated by a desire to protect Italian producers from the competition and nothing more,’ he explained.


Twenty regions across the country grow the prosecco variety, but production is concentrated in Victoria King Valley and Murray Valley. Communities are built around these production areas and rely on them for income.

Local producers claim that politicians need to understand what the EU’s decision will entail, specifically the negative impact it has on their businesses and the consequences on regional communities and people.

‘If we don’t back our producers now, there is a real risk other varieties like Vermentino, Fiano, Nero d’Avola and Montepulciano will be next in the firing line.’



Otto Dal Zotto, the first person to grow prosecco in Australia and owner of Dal Zotto Wines, spoke up about the issue.

‘Prosecco is, and always has been, a globally recognised grape variety,’ he said. Dal Zotto Wines have been producing prosecco wines since 1999.

Natalie Pizzini, Brand Manager of Pizzini Wines said: ‘We’ve invested in this variety in good faith and the EU is trying to move the goalposts to protect Italian producers against fair competition.’ Pizzini Wines have been in the wine industry since 1997.

Katherine Brown from Wine Australia (the country’s largest producer of prosecco) shared how her family had invested millions into making prosecco.

‘Our family has invested millions of dollars in equipment, facilities, people and marketing to build up Australian prosecco to what it is today.’

Katherine’s great-grandfather started their vineyard in King Valley in 1885.

You can watch the news snippet below:




Well, members, what can you say about this? Let us know in the comments below! It also seems that negotiations are ongoing, with the next one scheduled early next year. We’ll keep you posted on future developments of this story.