Next year the agreement between Hungary and the EU will come into effect that will reserve the name “Tokay” (in its various spellings) to wine coming from the region of Tokay in Hungary. The use of Tokay d’Alsace or Tokay Pinot Gris in Alsace will no longer be allowed, nor in any other regions in Europe. They will simply have to call the wine Pinot Gris (which is often already the case). Vitisphere.com
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This is not a big deal in Alsace, where many producers have (I think) already weened themselves of ”Tokay”. BUT, in Friuli, it’s a HUGE deal; Tocai Fruliano is the name of the most(?) popular white wine and they now have to call it Fruliano. To say they’re unhappy about this is a huge understatement, and, perhaps I’m wrong, but they seem to have just as much right to use Tocai as anyone in Hungary.
I would certainly agree about Alsace. You haven’t seen much of that name for quite a while in Alsace. Interesting comments about Friuli. Not so familiar with the situation there so thanks for the info. So what will they call their wines now? Pinot Grigio Friuliano I guess.
And the question in principle: ”who has the right to a name” is interesting. There are other examples, Champagne for one: Wasn’t there a wine producing villiga in Switzerland that was called Champagne?… I guess fame, size and history counts for a lot.