Wine Law

3 It might be worth noting that, in the mid-1980s, the European agricultural policy changed its tact. Since those behind the drawing up of the Treaty that instituted the then European Economic Community prioritised in its agricultural policy “increasing agricultural productivity”, food supply came to be, at some stage, fully guaranteed (there was even some disruption caused by surplus). That led to what we could describe as the quality-oriented approach to agro-food farming , focused on health and safety as well as quality issues. This shift gain ground in the overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy, in 1992. It was then that the designations of origin (and the geographical indications) were integrated into European Law, quickly becoming the cornerstone of the quality- oriented food production in the European Union. That said, it should be pointed out that, in dealing with the legal concept of designation of origin, two elements appear to strike us as seemingly at odds with each other. For one thing, that legal status has been garnering increasing support and standing in Europe ever since the EU began regulating it in 1992. However, many are the concerns that its regulation has raised, casting some doubt as to the viability and establishment of these geographical designations. We should start off with their legal categorisation, how they are pigeonholed conceptually from a legal point of view. In a short essay, which was published over a decade ago, French Professor Norbert Olszak asserted that the designation of origin was “a little odd”. He went on to say that was because it resisted being fitted into our “preconceived legal moulds”. It should be noted that although its legal status is unquestionably unique, Professor Olszak did not hesitate to reiterate that designations of origin are “highly appreciated” 5 . It is undeniable that its nature, legal implications and distinct regulation differs across sectors. Note that the current Regulation (EU) No. 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs 6 stands alongside remarkable peculiarities governing wine designations of origin, provided for by an exceptional legal 5 OLSZAK, N. (2006), “L’appellation d’origine, un bien sublime?”, Études offertes au doyen Philippe Simler , Dalloz-Litec, París, pp. 777-788. 6 DOUE L 343, of 14 December 2012.