New wine deal with Europe will see an end to Australians exporting "prosecco"

A new Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement will see the removal of tariffs on Australian wine exports to EU member states - but will mark the end of exporting Australian wines labelled as Prosecco. 

Australian wine exported to the European Union will not be subjected to tariffs upon entry, resulting in an expected saving of $14.5 million per year, a deal welcomed by umbrella body Australian Grape & Wine (AGW).

But the deal means the EU's position that prosecco is a protected trade mark means Australian sparkling wines will have to use a new name for their product in those markets. 

I recommended the adoption of OzSecco, or AusSecco, a couple of years ago but the wine industry is very slow to pivot. 

AGW said today: "The industry position is that prosecco is a grape variety, in the same way that shiraz or chardonnay is, and they shouldn’t have to change the name of it; consumers know what it is. etc."

The body says it has “welcomed key elements of the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement, including the removal of tariffs on Australian wine exports to EU member states” while highlighting the “significant implications” the agreement will have for producers exporting Australian prosecco.

The CEO of AGW, Lee McLean, said that the tariff outcome was a “commercially meaningful result for the sector”.

“The removal of tariffs on Australian wine entering the EU is good news for our exporters and for the long-term competitiveness of Australian wine in a major global market."

Australian prosecco producers will retain the right to call their wines prosecco in the domestic market but will no longer be able to export Australian wine labelled prosecco to Europe, following a 10-year phase out period.

“We continue to maintain that prosecco is a grape variety and that efforts to restrict its use are nothing more than protectionist measures used to distort trade to the advantage of EU producers," McLean said. 

"This is clearly a blow for those Australian producers who currently export Australian prosecco, who will need to transition away from using that term for export markets."

Sparkling success: regional wine innovator recognised

Otto dal Zotto, who pioneered prosecco in Australia, has been named the 2025 Victorian Legend of the Vine by the Wine Communicators of Australia.

The Dal Zotto Wines founder was recognised for his contribution to the Australian wine industry.

The award coincided with 21 years since Dal Zotto produced its first Australian-grown prosecco from its base in Victoria's King Valley.

What began as a vision to bring a taste of northern Italy’s prosecco tradition Down Under has evolved into one of Australia’s most significant wine success stories.

In 1999, Otto Dal Zotto planted the first prosecco vines in Australia, inspired by his hometown of Valdobbiadene in Veneto, Italy. 

Five years later, in 2004, the family released their inaugural prosecco vintage, L’immigrante.

Two decades on, Prosecco has become synonymous with the King Valley, with Dal Zotto Wines at the forefront of the variety’s rise in popularity nationwide.

“I am surprised at how popular prosecco has become," Dal Zotto said.

"I wanted to grow some because I grew up with it. I used to walk through the vineyards to school, eating bunches of prosecco grapes; it’s a taste that’s part of my culture.

"To start a new variety takes a lot of time and effort, and it’s been wonderful to see Australians embrace it.”

Dal Zotto’s chief winemaker, Michael Dal Zotto, says: “This is an exciting industry to be a part of anyway, but to contribute the way the family has and introduce a variety into the market that has been
so well embraced makes us all so happy.

"The success of the wines and that we have helped to put King Valley on the map makes us extremely proud.”

“Dad didn’t just plant vines; he planted a dream,” says Dal Zotto marketing director Christian Dal Zotto.

“He turned bubbles into a movement and the King Valley into Italy’s southern outpost.

"Now he’s officially a legend - which he’s been reminding us of daily.”

Dal Zotto Wines remains family-owned and -operated.

The VIC Legend of the Vine Award is presented by WCA to recognise a Victorian who is of excellent character, who is held in high regard by their peers in the world of wine, and who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian wine industry.

Otto Dal Zotto is the eight Victorian to receive Legend of the Vine status. He joins a list that includes Lindsay McCall, Alister Purbrick, Steve Flamsteed, Jeni Port, Eric Vivian Thomson, Kathleen Quealy, Ross Brown and Colin Campbell.

Monk goes all bubbly with [yellow tail]

TV celebrity Sophie Monk and prosecco would seem to be a match made in heaven.

Both have reputations for being bright, bubbly and just a little frivolous.

No surprise, then, that [yellow tail] has teamed up with Monk to launch a new prosecco range, featuring a Prosecco Classic and Prosecco Rosé.

Following the success of the [yellow tail] Easy to Love x Sophie Monk campaign in 2023, this marks the third year of the vinous partnership and showcases a wine style that Mon "genuinely loves".

Both wines are made using grapes sourced from the Alpine valleys in high country Victoria and aim to cash in on the fastest-growing wine category in Australia.

“We’re thrilled to team up with Sophie Monk to launch a Prosecco that’s as vibrant and fun as she is,” said brand manager Madeleine Legoe.

"We wanted to create a prosecco that reflects the energy of Australia: and Sophie was the perfect person to help us tell that story.”

The singer, actress and model is fully on board.

“I’ve always loved a glass of prosecco: it’s fun, fresh, and perfect for any occasion," she says. "For me, wine has always been about sharing laughs with friends or celebrating special moments with family.

"It doesn’t need to be stuffy or complicated- just really enjoyable. That’s why this collaboration with [yellow tail] felt like such a natural fit.”

Yellow Tail Prosecco and Yellow Tail Prosecco Rosé have been made to identical technical specifications, with an 11.5% abv and 15g/L of residual sugar.

Both are non vintage and are available nationwide now at an RRP of $19 per bottle.

I am clearly not the demographic, but have asked to see the wines. I will report back. 

Regional winery restaurant icon closes after 13 years

It is time for a change at one of regional Victoria's most popular winery restaurants.

After 13 years of sharing regional Italian cuisine, the Dal Zotto family will close down their much-loved Trattoria in the King Valley later this month.

The change will make way for a revamp of their cellar door which will continue to celebrate the Dal Zotto family's legacy as Australia’s "First Family of Prosecco".

While the Trattoria will close its doors on July 13, the cellar door will remain, alongside the on-site accommodation - Dal Zotto Homestead and Studios.

The reimagined space will feature a prosecco-focused destination with Italian-inpsired wine and food pairing.

The closure of the Trattoria does not mean the food offering will disappear entirely. Instead, the family said in a satetment, t will evolve, serving antipasto platters and select food pairings that complement Dal Zotto wines.

Second-generation custodians Michael and Christian Dal Zotto said: “To our incredible teams, past and present, thank you for bringing the Trattoria to life.

"And to our guests, who filled our tables with love and support, we say a heartfelt thank you. You have been the heart of this journey, and we are forever grateful for the friendships forged and the stories shared.”

See www.dalzotto.com.au

Singapore says "no" to Australian prosecco

A Singapore court has slammed the door shut on Australian wine producers looking to use the word "prosecco" to describe their sparkling wines.

The Court of Appeal said this week that the term “prosecco” can be used in Singapore "exclusively for wines produced in a specific region in Italy", as requested by Prosecco producers.

It rejected the arguments of Australian winemakers opposing the move, The Straits Times reported.

Australian producers argue that prosecco is the name of a grape variety, while the Italians say it is a geographic indicator.

So Australian winemakers wanting to sell prosecco in Singapore may have to label their wines OzSecco, or AusSecco - my idea, payment to GOTR please. 

A five-judge court ruled that while Australians could demonstrate that “prosecco” was the name of a grape variety, it failed to show that the proposed GI is likely to mislead Singapore consumers as to the true geographical origin of the wine.

It is the first ruling by the Court of Appeal on geographical indications, a type of intellectual property protection which identifies a product as having originated from a particular territory that has given the item its unique characteristics.

Australia claiming victory in prosecco conflict

They've been celebrating all week at Dal Zotto and other prosecco wine producers across Australia.

With the collapse of trade talk with the European Union, Australian prosecco producers are now free to keep using the name prosecco for their wines rather than being forced to change to Ozsecco, or another alternative name.

Italian producers had argued that prosecco was the name of a region and Australian winemakers had no right to use it. Aussies argued that prosecco was a grape variety, even though Italians now use the name glera for the grape.

"Prosecco is Prosecco, no matter where it’s made, and the home of Australian prosecco is thrilled by the news that it can stay that way," the Dal Zotto family said in a statement.

"The trade deal talks between Australia and the European Union (EU) in Osaka, which were set to restrict the use of the name prosecco in Australia, have collapsed.

"While there are complexities to that, we are joyous that prosecco is always prosecco."

Christian Dal Zotto said: “What an exciting day it is for not just our family, but for all the prosecco producers across the country. Thank you to all the people who have supported us along the way.”

The Dal Zotto family was Austalia’s first prosecco producer, created by Otto Dal Zotto, who was born in Valdobbiadene. He sparked a trend in the King Valley in north-east Victoria that has now spread across Australia.

In a statement by Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive, Lee McLean, he said: “We commend the resolve of Trade Minister Don Farrell in walking away from a free trade deal that was not in the best interests of Australian prosecco producers.

"The Government has made the right decision. We are fully supportive of the Australian Government’s decision to step away from ongoing negotiations rather than accept deal that is not in the interest of Australian prosecco producers or the broader agricultural sector.”

Michael Dal Zotto added: “From my perspective, it gives us more security in the medium-term. We’ve had capital investment on hold and this gives us the freedom and security to move forward."

The Australian argument is: For Italy’s sparkling wine, there is no legally protected prosecco region, i.e. prosecco does not have a geographic indicator like Champagne does.

Consequently, anybody who produces a sparkling wine from the glera grape using a minimum 85% of that grape can currently call it prosecco.

Academics weigh in over bitter prosecco row

Academics have declared that prosecco is the name of a grape variety, not a geographic name.

The news comes as Australian winemakers continue to fight for the right to use the name prosecco on their wines. Italian makers and the European Union want them to cease.

But the academics are from Australian universities. One wonders if Italian academics would have a very different view.

New research from Monash University and Macquarie University entitled The European Union’s attempts to limit the use of the term ‘Prosecco’ says that prosecco is a grape variety name.

The report is the culmination of five years of research conducted by Professor of Law Mark Davison and the team at the Faculty of Law at Monash University and the Macquarie Law School, Macquarie University.

Using evidence dating as far back as the 1700s, the report says there is extensive historical proof of prosecco being a grape variety and its broad international acceptance as such, including evidence from the Italian wine industry and the European Union (EU).

It also says a lack of evidence has been made available to justify the Italian Government and the EU changing the name of the prosecco grape variety to the name glera in the EU in 2009.

Davison says “the evidence speaks for itself, prosecco has been recognised as the name of a grape for centuries, but not as a geographical indication (GI).

"Protecting the term as a geographical indication is a cynical attempt to avoid competition from Australian wine producers."

Lee McLean, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Grape & Wine, said: "We thank the universities and the authors personally for all the effort they have made over this time in going above and beyond to expose this evidence."

He added: “With the Australian Government undertaking a public objections process on EU GIs, including prosecco, this report confirms the importance of making sure the Government receives as many submissions into this process as possible.

“The risks of banning the ability of our industry to use well-established grape variety names are significant and have to potential to cause widespread damage to our sector and the regional communities it underpins.”

Australian prosecco production has grown to over $200 million dollars in value, with regions like Victoria’s King Valley investing millions in vineyards, production facilities and associated tourism infrastructure.

The variety is now grown in 20 regions across Australia.

Rathbone speaks out as fight over the name Prosecco continues

The fight over the name Prosecco - and whether it is a region or gape variety - continues to make wine industry waves.

Australian Grape & Wine is urging anyone with an interest in the name Prosecco, or the ongoing rights to use other grape variety terms, to make sure their voice is heard as the Australian Government opens a public objections process in a range of proposed European Union (EU) wine geographical indications (GIs).

“It’s absolutely critical that Australian grape growers and winemakers submit their views to Government through this public objections process” said Lee McLean, chief executive of Australian Grape & Wine.

“Prosecco is a grape variety just like shiraz or chardonnay” said McLean. “We need to let political decision makers in Australia and the EU know that maintaining our ability to use grape variety names is an essential element of rules-based trade and investment in our sector.”

Through the negotiation for the Australia-European Community Agreement on Trade in Wine (Wine Agreement), the EU is seeking protection for 50 new wine GIs - including Prosecco and Picpoul de Pinet - as well as updates to existing GIs.

The public objections process is a way for interested stakeholders to provide submissions of objection to the wine GIs for which the EU is seeking protection for in Australia.

It is the second time the grape variety name Prosecco has been subjected to a public objections process in Australia under the agreement.

The last attempt by the EU to stop Australian producers from using the name Prosecco was quashed by the Registrar of Trademarks in legal proceedings in 2012 and 2013 on the grounds that Prosecco is a grape variety name.

Italian producers say the name of the grape is glera and that Prosecco is a defined region.

“We understand some will be frustrated by the requirement to re-prosecute the arguments they made in 2012-13, particularly given the common-sense outcome delivered by the Registrar of Trademarks at the time” said McLean.

“It is critical, however, that every grower and every winemaker with an interest in Prosecco takes the time to lodge a submission into this process.”

Darren Rathbone, CEO and winemaker at the Rathbone Wine Group, whose labels include Yering Station, Mount Langi Ghiran and Xanadu, is vocal on the issue. 

"It is important to protect the names of the grape varieties that we use in Australia," Rathbone says.

"Prosecco is the name of the grape that the Australian winemakers use to make the wine we call Prosecco. Unfortunately the EU are claiming that Prosecco is a region rather than a grape variety.

"Protection of regional names, such as Margaret River, Yarra Valley or Burgundy (there are obviously thousands of them across the world) need to be defined and protected.

"Grape variety names, such as chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon or prosecco also need to be defined and protected."

Australian Prosecco has grown to over $200 million dollars in value, with regions like Victoria’s King Valley - home to Prosecco producer DalZotto (above) - investing millions in vineyards, production facilities and associated tourism infrastructure. 

The variety is now grown in 20 regions across Australia.

Submissions must be lodged before noon on April 21 via the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Have Your Say webpage.

Film festival gets a little added Italian fizz

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore, the Italian wine brand will be the official Gold Partner of the 2022 St Ali Italian Film Festival taking place nationally from September 13-October 16.

One of the largest celebrations of Italian cinema outside of Italy, the film festival will present Italian blockbusters and classics on the big screen. 

Throughout the festival partnership, Santa Margherita will pay homage to the first Prosecco Superiore made in 1952 by Santa Margherita in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene (where I happened to visit last month). 

Cinemagoers attending opening nights across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane will experience a pop-up bar experience from Santa Margherita. 

"The 70th anniversary of the Prosecco Superiore is a momentous occasion for Santa Margherita," said brand ambassador Erika Gallon. "We can’t wait to transport cinema goers to the world of Italy and experience the la dolce vita way of life.”

Which may just be gilding the lily a little bit. 

2022 dates and locations

Sydney September 13 - October 12: Palace Norton | Palace Verona | Chauvel Cinemas | Palace Central

Canberra September 14 - October 12: Palace Electric

Melbourne September 15 - October 12: Palace Balwyn | Palace Brighton Bay | Palace Cinema Como | Palace Westgarth | The Kino | The Astor | Pentridge Cinemas | Cinema Nova

Adelaide September 21 - October 16: Palace Nova Eastend | Palace Nova Prospect

Perth September 22 - October 16: Luna Leederville | Luna on SX | Windsor Cinema | Palace Raine Square

Brisbane: September 21 - October 16: Palace James St | Palace Barracks

Byron Bay: September 23 - October 9: Palace Byron Bay

See www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore is available at Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores nationally with an RRP of $20.