A saga over the use of the name "prosecco" by King Valley winemakers is set to come to a head, with a trade deal between Australia and the European Union slated to be unveiled in Canberra.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are expected to sign a free trade agreement on Tuesday, March 24, subject to last-minute negotiations.

It will cover a broad range of goods and services, but the ability of vignerons to continue to use the prosecco label for their sparkling wines has been a focus in the North East.

In 2009, Italy moved to register "prosecco" as a geographic indication, rather than a grape variety, and has since argued it should have exclusive use to the name worldwide.

Australian winemakers have rejected that and campaigned to have their prosecco rights protected in a trade deal that has been the subject of long-running discussions.

Albanese and European Commission

Indi MP Helen Haines said the final announcement would be pivotal.

"With a deal imminent, there is a lot at stake for Australian prosecco producers - especially those in the King Valley, which produces more than half of the nation's prosecco," Dr Haines said.

"Losing the name prosecco would cause real economic damage to regional communities, putting jobs, tourism and family businesses at risk.

"This is a $200 million industry and a genuine Australian success story, built over decades and now a staple on wine lists and shelves across the country.

"Selling out on prosecco would be unacceptable - the government must stand firm and ensure any trade deal protects Australian producers."

MP Helen Haines

Wines of the King Valley chair Dean Cleave-Smith said on Monday, March 23 that he was hopeful

"We do expect tomorrow's announcement to be positive and that we'll be able to retain the right to use the name prosecco," Mr Cleave-Smith said.

The trade deal may involve Australian winemakers being allowed to continue to sell prosecco domestically but not internationally.

Mr Cleave-Smith said if that occurred the industry could adapt to that scenario, but would be seeking an industry assistance package from the federal government to help with the transition to a new name for exports.

Between two and five per cent of King Valley prosecco is exported, mainly to New Zealand and South East Asia.

King Valley

Adopting another name for a wine was something Rutherglen fortified producers went through in 2009 when sherry and tokay were replaced with apera and topaque due to the European origins of their previous descriptors.

Meanwhile, Dr Haines will miss a second week of Parliament on medical advice.

She outlined to ABC Goulburn Murray radio on Monday, March 23, the nature of her ailment.

"I'm well and truly on the road to recovery," Dr Haines said.

"I did get a sudden illness which affected every muscle in my body, actually, which meant I had to stop [as] I do thousands and thousands of kilometres of travel.

Dr Haines

"My medical team have been fantastic [and they] just said, righto, complete rest for you.

"So I've been following orders and done that, but I'm on my way back now."

With a deal imminent, there is a lot at stake for Australian prosecco producers - especially those in the King Valley, which produces more than half of the nation's prosecco.

Why this lands now

What ends up in the glass is only half the story. Packaging, pricing and placement decide how far a drink actually travels.

Key takeaways

  • A saga over the use of the name "prosecco" by King Valley winemakers is set to come to a head, with a trade deal between Australia and the European Union slated to be unveiled in Canberra
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are expected to sign a free trade agreement on Tuesday, March 24, subject to last-minute negotiations
  • Australian winemakers have rejected that and campaigned to have their prosecco rights protected in a trade deal that has been the subject of long-running discussions
  • Indi MP Helen Haines said the final announcement would be pivotal
  • "With a deal imminent, there is a lot at stake for Australian prosecco producers - especially those in the King Valley

By the numbers

  • In 2009, Italy moved to register "prosecco" as a geographic indication, rather than a grape variety, and has since argued it should have exclusive use to the name worldwide
  • "This is a $200 million industry and a genuine Australian success story, built over decades and now a staple on wine lists and shelves across the country
  • Rutherglen fortified producers went through in 2009 when sherry and tokay were replaced with apera and topaque due to the

The bottom line

None of this settles the wider question. It does make one thing harder to ignore: the pressure on the drinks list has shifted, and others will have to respond to it.