RAY SMUTS A LENGTHY export hiatus has ended for the South African port industry after the European Union’s recent decision to once again allow producers to use descriptions of style - such as vintage , ruby and tawny - on their products. The EU added a proviso, though. All South African export port labels must carry the word ‘Cape’, which producers had agreed to anyhow in advance of the latest pronouncement. Outlawed Just as champagne may not be so called in South Africa, so the words port and sherry have been outlawed by the EU, following strong objections from those countries where the products originate. (Portugal and Spain). The news was all bad when the EU decided two years ago to forbid descriptions of style, resulting in SA port producers who were marketing their products in a number of European countries ceasing their exports. A sound argument for this move was that not only would importers be wary of importing products lacking in descriptions of style but consumers would regard them as unknown and probably opt for something more familiar. There is, however, some cause for optimism. In terms of the original agreement to abolish the words ‘port’ and ‘sherry’, the EU pledged to commit about euros 15 million for the South African wine industry.
