EC-US Bilateral on Wine: Lower standards quid pro quo for GI protection?

This issue of Trade Hot Topics examines the wine negotiations between the European Communities and the United States. The bilateral wine talks commenced in 1999, in response to US concerns over EU requirements on winemaking standards. This paper considers the legal issues of the EU–US negotiations, looking specifically at EC oenological standards and the WTO rules, geographical indications and traditional terms, and WTO rules and bilateral arrangements.