The Argentine Viticulture Authority has issued new regulations related to the (i) approval of a new product, (ii) the analytical control of products entering Argentina, (iii) the approval of a new seal of quality, and (iv) the circulation of products in bulk.
1. Resolution C 34/2012
The Argentine Viticulture Authority ("Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura" or "INV") issued Resolution C. 34/2012, published in the Official Gazette on August 8, 2012, approving a new product named VINO MOSCATO (moscat wine), bearing in mind the sustained demand for the product both internally and for exportation purposes.
Resolution 34/2012 defines VINO MOSCATO or VINO MOSCATEL as the product obtained after fermentation of the fresh grapes derived from at least 85% of the following varieties: White muscat (or Muscat blanc), Alejandria muscatel (or zibibbo muscatel), yellow muscatel, Pink muscatel, Hamburg muscatel, Giallo muscat.
2. Resolution C 36/2012
The INV issued Resolution C 36/2012, published in the Official Gazette on August 15, 2012. The resolution modified section 3 of Resolution C. 121/1993 regarding analytical control of products entering Argentina.
Resolution C. 36/2012 states that the entering products must be accompanied by an analytical certificate issued by the corresponding authorities of the country of origin. However, exceptions apply with respect to products originating from countries that have signed an Agreement regarding enological practice and certification requirements with Argentina.
It should be taken into account that Argentina has signed with Australia, Canada, Chile, Georgia, New Zeland, South Africa and USA, the Agreement on reciprocal acceptance of enological practices, celebrated in Toronto (Canada) on December 18, 2001, in force since December 1, 2002 and ratified by Law No. 25,960; as well as the Agreement of the World Wine Trade Group (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand and the USA.) on the requirements for wine labelling signed in Canberra (Australia) on January 23, 2007 and ratified by Law No. 26,633, facilitating International trade in wine among the Parties.
3. Resolution C 38/2012
The Tourist Wine and the Varietal Tourist Wine, as defined by Resolution No. C. 9/2012 issued by the INV, are those wines with sensorial characteristics obtaining a minimum of 80 points in the evaluation made by the Consejo Consultivo Sensorial of INV.
In this regard, the INV issued Resolution 38/2012, published in the Official Gazette on August 15, 2012, which approved the Certified Seal of Quality for Tourist Wine. The approved sign is the following:
The Certified Seal will be binding and must be incorporated into the main label of the consumer products, in a visible manner and with the obligatory requirements. It must have a minimum diameter of 15 mm as stated in the resolution.
Failure to comply with the provisions of Resolution C 38/2012 will result in the application of the penalties stated by the general Law of Wines No. 14,878 and by other applicable laws.
4. Resolution C 40/2012
The INV issued Resolution 40/2012, published in the Official Gazette on September 7, 2012, which approved the Certificate of Transit for products in bulk.
The Resolution states that as of October 1, 2012, any product falling under the Argentine Law of Alcohol No. 24,566 and/or its regulation that circulates in bulk without complying with the satellite control system (set forth by Resolution C. 4/2012), must be accompanied by the Certificate of Transit approved by the new resolution.
The original printed certificate will be valid only for one journey and will serve to prove the circulation of the product at destination.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
