Entries Tagged 'Champagne' ↓

Campaign Expands To Ensure Wine Purchasers Know Where Wines Come From

The US Champagne Bureau has launched its “Unmask the Truth” ad campaign, rallying consumers and demanding lawmakers protect wine place names on wines sold in the United States. The ad, which can be viewed at www.champagne.us features a mask over a sparkling wine bottle mislabeled “American Champagne,” and asks consumers to voice their support for truthful, wine labels that ensure consumers know where their wine comes from.

“With consumers paying even more attention to how they spend their hard-earned dollars, we believe it is equally important U.S. consumers be clearly informed about where their wines come from,” said Champagne Bureau director Sam Heitner. “Support for truth-in-labeling is growing, with the involvement of consumer groups and Members of Congress weighing in on the issue for the first time this past year.”

Disclosure

A new ad campaign highlights a legal loophole in federal law that allows some U.S. sparkling wine producers to mislead consumers by labeling their products “Champagne” even though they do not come from Champagne, France. It also champions Champagne’s solidarity on this effort with leading American wine regions such as Napa Valley, Willamette, and Walla Walla – some of whose names have also been misused in Europe and Asia.

The main elements of Champagne’s advertising campaign includes a wrap of a city tour bus in Washington, D.C. and billboards in the heart of San Francisco’s downtown district. The campaign incorporates an aggressive online presence in top national newspapers such as NewYorkTimes.com, SeattleTimes.com, WashingtonPost.com and TheEconomist.com as well as placements on select American Airlines flights and drive time radio. The campaign also includes print advertisements in influential news magazines – The New Yorker and TIME – as well as in two prominent Capitol Hill publications – The Hill and Politico.

In December 2006, Congress passed legislation banning the future misuse of 16 wine place names, including Champagne. While that was a step in the right direction, the legislation did not address the grandfathering of labels currently misusing Champagne’s name and those of 15 other international wine regions.

Recently, U.S. policymakers have begun focusing on the issue. Members of Congress sent a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury urging a review of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s wine labeling system. Shortly after, the National Consumers League, America’s pioneer consumer organization, contacted Congress in support of reforming U.S. wine labeling laws to better protect consumers’ right to truth-in-labeling.

“Great wines are made all over the world. This campaign is designed to celebrate this and ensure that when shopping for the holidays, U.S. consumers remember that a Napa Valley wine is from Napa Valley, a Willamette wine is from Willamette, Oregon, a Walla Walla wine is from Walla Walla, Washington and Champagne is only from Champagne, France,” added Heitner.

Champagne is a founding signatory of the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin, a coalition of 13 wine regions from around the world committed to educating the public about the importance of place names. Six U.S. regions are part of the coalition – Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Oregon, Walla Walla Valley and Washington. The other member regions are Porto, Jerez, Chianti Classico, Tokaj, Victoria and Western Australia.

BAREFOOT BUBBLY^® PREMIUM EXTRA DRY

CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY CHAMPAGNE

Tickle your toes and your taste buds with Barefoot Bubbly Premium Extra Dry! The versatile and great-tasting Chardonnay Champagne is perfect for a special occasion or everyday celebration. Its delightful aromas and sweet flavors make a fun, flavorful and affordable addition to any meal.

Tasting Notes: This medium-bodied Chardonnay Champagne features aromas of ripe yellow apples, which complement the creamy texture. The tangerine and lime flavors will delight your palate.

Food Pairing: Champagne’s are often associated with festivities and celebrations, served with such treats as sweet cakes or pastries. Barefoot Bubbly also pairs perfectly with a variety of cheeses, crackers, simple appetizers, and even spicy dishes.

Winemaking Notes:

Varietal Content: 80% Chardonnay

Titratability Acidity: .68

pH: 3.38

Alcohol Level: 11.8%

Residual Sugar: 2.6%

Pricing:

Barefoot Bubbly Premium Extra Dry is affordably priced at $10 for 750ml bottle.

 

BAREFOOT BUBBLY^® CHARDONNAY CHAMPAGNE

Try a Chardonnay unlike any other – with a bubbly twist! Awarded a silver medal at the 2008 Los Angeles wine competition, Barefoot Bubbly Chardonnay Champagne has enjoyable aromas, all enhanced by the sparkling qualities of California champagne and a smooth finish.

Tasting Notes: This slightly creamy sparkling wine has hints of green apples and sweet honey.

Food Pairing: This sparkling chardonnay pairs well with many traditional appetizers including fresh fruits and mild cheeses and is delightful with seafood dinners and poultry dishes.

Winemaking Notes:

Varietal Content: 80% Chardonnay

Titratability Acidity: .68

pH: 3.30

Alcohol Level: 11.9%

Residual Sugar: 2.0%

Pricing: Barefoot Bubbly Chardonnay Champagne is attractively priced at $10 for a 750-ml bottle.

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BAREFOOT BUBBLY^® WHITE ZINFANDEL CHAMPAGNE

Kick back with an unexpected twist on a classic white wine varietal! Barefoot Bubbly White Zinfandel Champagne has all fruit-fill flavors of our popular White Zinfandel with an enjoyable effervescence.

Tasting Notes: This sweet wine has a variety of summertime tastes and aromas, ranging from fresh picked strawberries and juicy peaches with a fresh, lingering finish.

Food Pairing: While bubbly and delicious on its own, it’s great alongside light seafood dishes, such as crab cakes or fish tacos.

Winemaking Notes:

Varietal Content: Blended with Symphony & Malvasia

Titratability Acidity: .66

pH: 3.15

Alcohol Level: 10.6%

Residual Sugar: 4.2%

Pricing: Barefoot Bubbly White Zinfandel Champagne is attractively priced at $10 for a 750-ml bottle.

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BAREFOOT BUBBLY^® PINOT GRIGIO CHAMPAGNE

The refreshing taste of Barefoot’s Pinot Grigio has been given a new twist – bubbles! Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio Champagne has the crisp flavors of traditional Pinot Grigio with an enjoyable effervescence. Ours is the ONLY sparkling Pinot Grigio from California.

Tasting Notes: This light bodied sparkling wine is crisp and with yellow apple flavors complementing its citrus, tangerine finish.

Food Pairing: A wonderful accompaniment to a light dinner of seafood or chicken, Pinot Grigio Champagne pairs nicely with pizza and BBQ as well.

Winemaking Notes:

Varietal Content: Blended with Chenin Blanc

Titratability Acidity: .71

pH: 3.23

Alcohol Level: 12.2%

Residual Sugar: 1.8%

Pricing: Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio Champagne is attractively priced at $10 for a 750-ml bottle.

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BAREFOOT BUBBLY^® BRUT CUVÈE

CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY CHAMPAGNE

Celebrate with the Champagne that tickles your toes! Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée features a sweet flavor profile that will delight your palate. With fruit-filled aromas and flavors, our most traditional, great-tasting Chardonnay Champagne will be an instant favorite for any occasion without breaking your budget. Tasting Notes: Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée is a dry bubbly that opens with the delightful aromas of Chardonnay and flavors of green apples and jasmine. Savor the hints of kiwi and peach while you enjoy the crisp, lingering finish.

Food Pairing: Champagne’s are often associated with festivities and celebrations, served with such treats as sweet cakes or pastries. Barefoot Bubbly also pairs perfectly with a variety of cheeses, crackers, simple appetizers, and even spicy dishes.

Winemaking Notes:

Varietal Content: 80% Chardonnay

Titratability Acidity: .68

pH: 3.38

Alcohol Level: 12.0%

Residual Sugar: 1.3%

Pricing:

Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée is attractively priced at $10 for 750ml bottle.

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About Barefoot Barefoot Winemaker Jennifer Wall has created an approachable portfolio of 15 unique award-winning wines. Barefoot still wines and Barefoot Bubbly Champagnes offer fruit-forward varietals that are easy-to-enjoy and affordably priced. Over the past 5 years, Barefoot wines have been awarded over 1,000 medals, including many Gold and Double Gold medals. California Table Wine and Charmat Method California Sparkling Wine, ©2009 Barefoot Cellars, Modesto, CA.

Disclosure

 

The 2009 harvest has commenced in Champagne, France as the region predicted another high quality season.

“The recent warm and dry weather is just what the Champagne winegrowers ordered for the grapes to ripen and eventually be blended to become the wines of Champagne known the world over,” said Champagne Bureau Director Sam Heitner. “As we embark on this promising harvest season, the unique region where true Champagne comes from is well poised to continue their tradition of producing quality wines that are versatile enough to be enjoyed for a special occasion or every day.”

The rules of the harvest are strictly set in the more than 300 villages in the Champagne appellation. The harvest began with the hand-picking of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, according to the schedule released by the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC). While the majority of the grapes are set to begin being picked this week, some regions began picking their first grapes early last week. The precise picking schedule for each of the three grape varieties is based on the location, soil conditions and the date of the spring flowering in each village.

Each year, grape-pickers from across Europe come to Champagne’s 34,000 hectares to pick the grapes by hand. Machine harvesting is strictly forbidden in Champagne and the quality regulations of the appellation demand that only grapes grown in the Champagne appellation can be used in bottles labeled Champagne.

While the region experienced some difficult weather conditions earlier in the year, it has enjoyed warm and dry weather for more than a month which allowed the grapes to grow and mature exceptionally well. The Champagne growers have noted that the grapes are maturing at a rate faster than last year.

True Champagne comes only from the Champagne appellation, located approximately 90 miles northeast of Paris. The Champagne region’s distinctive chalky soil, cool climate and strict regulations come together to create a unique sparkling wine impossible to duplicate anywhere else in the world. For a wine to bear the Champagne name, all the grapes used in its production must come from approved parcels and the wine must be elaborated, manipulated, stored and labeled within the appellation.

However, a loophole in U.S. law allows some domestic winemakers to continue to use the name Champagne and 15 other internationally recognized wine regions on wines that are not produced in those regions. “We are very proud to see more and more U.S. wine producers embracing the importance of location, yet until all practices change, we urge U.S. consumers to carefully review labels to insure they are not mislead,” continued Heitner. “When the time is right to pick a bottle of Champagne, it is important to remember that Champagne only comes from Champagne.”

Support is growing to improve U.S. wine region truth-in-labeling practices. Earlier this year Members of Congress sent a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury urging a review of their Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau’s wine labeling system. Shortly after, the National Consumers League, America’s pioneer consumer organization, contacted Congress in support of reforming U.S. wine labeling laws to better protect consumers’ right to truth in labeling.

About the Champagne Bureau

The Champagne Bureau is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), a trade association which represents the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France. The Bureau works to educate U.S. consumers about the uniqueness of the wines of Champagne and expand their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name. For more information, visit us online at www.champagne.us. Follow us on Twitter at ChampagneBureau.