ITALIANS are using "devious means" in trying to stop Australian winemakers using the term prosecco, a legend of the vine told a Beechworth forum on Wednesday.
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Brown Brothers director Ross Brown made the comment during a talk at a free trade agreement seminar attended by Assistant Trade Minister Mark Coulton.
"Prosecco is a grape variety that came to Australia 20 years ago...and has now become globally successful and the Italians, through rather devious means have decided they want to try to make it a parallel to champagne which has no parallels whatsoever and claim the name prosecco back for their own purposes," Mr Brown said.
"Prosecco...is probably the fastest growing wine category in Australia and it is principally owned by this region through the King Valley, so we've got a little cause to make sure when negotiating the FTA with the EU that everybody is very mindful of the fraudulent approach of the Italians," Mr Brown said.
He later spoke to Mr Coulton about the issue when the minister visited his winery at Milawa.
About 20 North East businesses, including Lucas Mill and the Australian Pumpkin Seed Company, attended the event.
Mr Coulton urged them to further their export horizons, pointing to Canada and Mexico who have "nervous" relations with the US.
"Don't turn your nose up at Mexico, they are the largest producer I think of SUVs, TVs and beer in the world," he said.
Australia has 11 free trade pacts with 18 countries.
