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EC drops rosé reform plans
Controversial plans to change the rules on producing rosé have been scrapped by the European Commission.
The proposals, which would have allowed rosé to be made from a blend of white and red wines, were met with anger and disbelief by producers in France and Italy who feared the changes would open the gates for cheaply-produced wines to flood the market.
Agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel admitted that the arguments put forward by the industry proved too strong to ignore.
“It’s important that we listen to our producers when they are concerned about changes to the regulations,” the commissioner said.
“It’s become clear that a majority in our wine sector believe that ending the ban on blending could undermine the image of traditional rosé. I am always prepared to listen to good arguments and that’s why I am making this change.”
Alan Lodge, 08.06.2009