Socialism run amok!

[Thraz]

Foodie we do agree on one thing (more than one in fact), fraud needs to be weeded out. However I disagree that the AOC system helps do that. In the end it is only a matter of whether what is on the label is true or not. The fact that you are mandated to put things on a label or prevented from doing it does not change much. In both cases you need honesty and investigation. I would even say that without the 75% regulation, lawsuits would have forced wineries to state the exact chard percentage on the bottle by now. The regulation is one factor behind the lack of full information. Same in France, again the example of St. Emilion where the appellation does not tell you what most of the grape mix is and vastly different mixes can have the same appellation.

As for the stainless vs. wood etc.: some producers say it on the label. Apparently there are not enough consumers clamoring for it (I would be one too, but you and I and a few more are apparently not enough) for many wineries to add it - but then, this is also not mandated by the AOC system. So, again, it is a matter of putting the information the wineries feel the customers want to see. I believe the wineries should be the decision makers there - again, what they say should also be true but that is another matter.

Also, remember that I do like the idea of a labeling or AOC system - something else we agree on. I just wish the French one were more information oriented, less top-down-we-know-better-than-you-how-you-should-produce-and-market-your-wine.