Agriculture: Commission approves new geographical indication from the United States

The Commission has approved the inclusion of ‘Willamette Valley' wines from the United States in the register of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). ‘Willamette Valley' are still wines (red, rose and white) and sparkling wines produced in the north-western part of Oregon, bordered on the north by the Columbia River, on the west by the Coast Range Mountains, on the south by the Calapooya Mountains, and on the east by the Cascade Mountains. The unique organoleptic characteristics of the ‘Willamette Valley' wines include brightness and fresh fruit aspects, with the acidity provided by the protected cool climate.

The Willamette Valley, by virtue of its high northern latitude, proximity to a cold ocean and rain shadowed sloped vineyards, presents a unique style of North American wine. This new denomination is the second American product to be protected, and will be added to the list of 1,621 wines already protected. EU quality policy aims at protecting the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional know-how. More information on the EU quality schemes and in the database eAmbrosia.

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