The Curious Capitalist, Justin Fox, Economy, Markets, Business, TIME

January 10, 2008 11:39

Gruesome video of 'champagne' destruction

Posted by Justin Fox | Comments (6) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

I just got an URGENT e-mail from the Office of Champagne U.S.A. informing me that

Belgian Customs authorities seized and destroyed a shipment of over 3,200 bottles of André sparkling wine. The shipment was seized at the port of Anvers, Belgium, on Tuesday. It is the latest in a series of seizures in the last four years, representing important quantities of bottles.

The bottles of Gallo’s André sparkling wine with references to “California Champagne” and “André Champagne Cellars” are in direct violation of export laws in numerous countries that protect the place names of wine regions.

But that's not the interesting part. The interesting part is that it's all on video.

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Reader Comments (6)

Dirk:

Please do not refer to the port in its french name "Anvers", but in its English name, "Antwerp", or its local name, "Antwerpen".

Posted by Dirk | January 10, 2008 5:28 PM

Justin Fox:

Yeah, I almost made a comment about the Office of Champagne's egregious anti-Flemish bias. Liever Antwerpen, zeg ik ook.

Posted by Justin Fox | January 10, 2008 6:38 PM

matt c:

i dont blame them. the rule is simple. "champagne" is a protected appelation used to protect the integrity of one of the worlds most famous grape growing regions. its like french people making scotch whisky, selling it to the scots and expecting them not to get pissed off

Posted by matt c | January 10, 2008 11:52 PM

Jay M:

Since the US was in prohibition when the Champagne treaty was signed, and therefore not a signatory, what other laws or treaties are being applied?

Posted by Jay M | January 12, 2008 1:18 PM

illustrateur:

A Californian Champagne... made by Mickey Mouse ? It sounds like a joke...
Hubert de la Vignerie du Bois, from Paris.

Posted by illustrateur | January 13, 2008 2:41 PM

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