Press Release: EU-Australia wine trade agreement enters into force

A new agreement governing the wine trade between Australia and the European Union entered into force on 1 September 2010. This agreement replaces the one signed in 1994. The new agreement safeguards the EU's wine labelling regime, gives full protection to EU geographical indications, including for wines intended for export to third countries, and includes a clear Australian commitment to protect EU traditional expressions. It also provides for the phasing out of the use of a number of important EU names such as Champagne and Port on Australian wines within a year of the agreement coming into force.