RESOLUTION ECO 1/93

AGING OF SPIRIT BEVERAGES

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

based on the proposai of Commission III, “ Vitivinicultural Economies ”, taking into account the work of the Group of Experts, “Study of Grape Brandies and Alcohols of Vitivinicultural Origin ”, on the aging of vitivinicultural spirits *,

OBSERVING

• that there are major différences in the principles which govern, on one hand, the conditions of aging and, on the other hand, the use of indications of âge on labels of vitivinicultural spirits, thus sometimes creating distorions in compétition amongst these beverages, **

CONSIDERING

• that spirit beverages of vitivinicultural source constitute an important viticultural market for certain OIV Member Countries;
• that aging in réceptacles of appropriate character and dimension is a factor of prime impor­ tance to the quality of the said beverages and that it is therefore fitting to maintain a high level of quality for the resulting products;
• that appropriate aging involves production costs which far exceed the cost of the primary mate- rials;
• that the normal and customary means of informing the consumer about the length of time aged is by using a certain number of labeling indications evoking âge —terms, letters, signs and abbreviations - and that certain of these indications have a commercial value or may con- tribute to the prestige of the product;
• that, in the interest of the consumer, it is appropriate to harmonize the rules which are applied in the différent Member Countries,

DECIDES to undertake to harmonize the rules relative to the conditions and control of aging of spirit beverages of vitivinicultural source including labeling.

(*) By the information report on this subject distributed at the 72nd OIV General Assembly, Madrid.

(**) Theme of the San Francisco General Assembly.