VALPOLICELLA FIGHTS FOR ITS APPELLATION

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Michele Shah

Gold Hope Winery Co Ltd, based in Hong Kong, with outlets in China, has registered north-east Italy's regional name, Valpolicella, in China. It is selling a dry red and dry white Valpolicella under the labels Gold Valpolicella and Yu-lin Valpolicella, distributed within its mainland market. The wines are made in China and have nothing in common with the red, Corvina-based Valpolicella produced in Veneto. This follows the recent use of the term Moda Amarone' on the back label of a bottle of Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, produced by Australian winery Primo Estate and exported to Italy by Teatro del Vino Srl, in Florence. Amarone in Veneto is made from partially dried Corvina and Molinara grapes. We have alerted Italy's export and commerce bureau, ICI and action is being taken by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Fraud Squad and the EU,' said Emilio Fasoletti, director of Valpolicella's consorzio.

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