Two days ago I posted a story about the fact that people are drinking more rosé wines, and now we have this story coming from Europe.

The European Commission announced on Monday that it had dropped plans to allow rosé wine to be made by mixing red and white wines. This is considered a victory for wine producers in France and Italy, who claim that the practice of mixing will usher in the “industialization” of the wine industry.

The decision came following intense lobbying of the commission, the European Union's executive arm, by organizations representing Europe's wine-making sector.
'It's important that we listen to our producers when they are concerned about changes to the regulations,” EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said in a statement. “It's become clear over recent weeks that a majority in our wine sector believe that ending the ban on blending could undermine the image of traditional rosé . I am always prepared to listen to good arguments, and that's why I am making this change,” she said.

Winegrowers fear such a move could lead to thousands of job losses and endanger their traditional rosé, made by the more time-consuming method of leaving crushed red wine grapes to soak with their juice.

The practice of mixing reds and whites is used by New World wine-makers in countries like Australia, South Africa and the US.

Let the debates begin. It’s always the traditionalists vs. those pesky nonconformist radicals who like and invite innovation. My two cents: change can be good. Although I generally like a traditional rosé made from red grapes, I have tasted some exceptionally interesting and unexpectedly pleasant rosé blends.