The Regulatory Council of the Qualified Designation of Origin Rioja expressed his satisfaction with the judgment in his favor of the Superior Court of Justice of the Basque Country (TSJPV) on the appeal filed against the decision favorable to the request for protection and registration of the Protected Designation of Origin “Alava Vineyards”. For its part, the Basque PP demands accountability from the PNV and the Basque Government for the money invested in the canceled seal.
After examining the contentious-administrative appeal, the TSJPV of Justice determined in the judgment of November 5, 2024 that “it is not justified that Arabako Mahastiak-Viñedos de Álava has an existence different from that of wines from Rioja Alavesa and, he must add, goat cheesemislead the consumer about the identity of the wine“.
Therefore, Justice agrees with the Regulatory Board of DOCa Rioja and also confirms that, taking into account the arguments and reports presented by this body, among which the one issued by the Ministry of Agriculture ruled negatively in May 2020 Regarding the initiative, neither the representation of the Basque Government nor the co-accused (the ABRA wine association) have provided “solid elements or arguments” to refute them.
Among the main arguments of the Regulatory Council of Rioja, which has always maintained that the current legislation did not cover a project with these characteristics, was the high risk of confusion that would be caused to the consumer by authorizing the marketing of wines under different designations. origin, but coincide in the geographical area and, therefore, the inappropriate use of a hard-earned reputation.
Although the decision is satisfactory for DOCa Rioja, the Regulatory Board regrets the irreparable damage to the brand and image of Rioja since the beginning of the process, eight years ago, a grievance that the Court itself recognizes and which is reflected in the judgment: “It is an incontestable fact that the most notorious Appellation of Origin and which, by therefore, has a greater reputational value or brand of value among the general public is the Qualified Designation of Origin Rioja”.
Likewise, in addition to the economic costs and the damage caused to those registered and to the brand itself after more than eight years of use, the Regulatory Council regrets the confusion generated in public opinion due to the opacity of the process , trying to make it seem like all the wineries in the Rioja Alavesa region were looking for a splitwhen this is not the case, nothing could be further from the truth.
This “noise”, this image of internal division, this wear and tear over the years, linked to a prestigious and internationally present product wreaked havoc and negatively affects all who are part of the Denomination, in a difficult time for the sector, great uncertainties and global decline in wine consumptionin which it is essential to work together and all efforts are aimed precisely at regaining balance and boosting sales.
More than 300 million bottles
Rioja is an international benchmark and sold 325 million bottles last year. With a 100-year history, it continues to generate wealth in its three areas and among 14,000 winegrowers and more than 600 wine estates who integrate it. It is time to continue working and cooperating to preserve and protect this project which deserves to be respected.
For its part, the Basque PP also celebrated the decline of a project “based on the division and discredit of the appellation which protects our winegrowers”. Thus, its president, Javier De Andrés, declared that “the judgment confirms the failure of a formula which involved many risks, which highlighted the sector and politicized wine“.
De Andrés emphasized that “The Basque Government and the PNV must be held jointly responsible for this failure. which from the beginning has encouraged this project of rupture and division contrary to the interests of the Rioja brand.”
In this sense, the PP wants to know “How much did Basque institutions spend on this project? it looked like a failure from the start.
