This speech in the context of a panel devoted to the harmonisation, mutual recognition and impact of the various bodies of international regulation governing the wine market outlined developments in wine law over the past thirty years.

This international meeting gathering brought together in Santorini, Greece, a hundred or so jurists from 20 countries, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the A.I.D.V – I.W.L.A ., to discuss legal topics connected with the introduction of new technologies, the protection of geographical indications, the protection of vine varieties, international trade conflicts, counterfeiting and Internet, planting authorisations and the law governing successions.

At this meeting, the President of the A.I.D.V – I.W.L.A ., Rein-Jan Prins presented members with the results of an international survey among the membership, which showed the vitality of the Association and the importance of this network with its 300 jurists in some thirty countries. A special role to which Jean-Marie Aurand drew attention, while expressing pleasure at the activity of this organisation with observer status in the OIV and stressing that the vine and wine sector was unique in benefiting from a worldwide network of specialised jurists.

In the course of a working meeting attended by, inter alia, Ms Chrysoula Papadimitriou, Director for Rural Development and Food, Ms Evangelina Komenta, delegate to the OIV, Mr Yannis Voyatzis, President of the National Inter-Professional Organisation for Vines and Wine and Mr Theodore Georgopoulos, Director of the Greek Wine Federation, the Secretary-General spoke of Greece’s contribution to the work of the OIV (of which Greece has been a member since 1929) and confirmed the country’s unstinting support for the Organisation. He went on to speak of Greece’s firm intention to develop its viticulture by upgrading wines produced from native varieties, which are part of Greece’s historical heritage.

Mr Jean-Marie Aurand gave a presentation of the OIV’s Strategic Plan and expressed his pleasure at the active presence of Greek experts in the organisation and the delegation’s contribution to the decision-making process.

He drew attention to the importance the OIV attaches to maintaining the diversity of vine and wine production and improving and upgrading native varietal wines by means of the research and development programmes now being carried out in many countries.

With 110 000 hectares planted to vines, Greece produces some 3 million hectolitres of wine under highly varied soil and climatic conditions.

A land with a millenary wine tradition, Greece has succeeded in building up a modern viticulture sector with international vine varieties while at the same time continuing, from among nearly 300 local varieties, to produce unique wines based on Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Agiorgitiko or Xinomavro grapes. It is also the land of the Cretan diet, based on cereals, olive oil, vegetables and world-renowned wines.

Following an introduction to the OIV and its activities by the various heads of unit, they were received by Director General Jean-Marie Aurand who stressed the original character of this training and the openings to which it gives rise, thanks to the network of universities and companies associated with it.

This diploma is unique in that its field of study is at one and the same time single-sector, multidisciplinary, itinerant, international and experimental, while drawing on one of today’s most highly developed networks in the wine world. Since 1987, more than 500 “movers and shakers” in the wine world have received this training.

Before the members of this class left OIV headquarters, Jean-Marie Aurand insisted on the international dimension of a course which every year enables students to discover more than 20 key countries in Planet Wine, situated on 5 continents.

To attend this press conference, journalists are kindly asked to send an email with their name and their professional contact details to press@oiv.int.

Date: Wednesday 28 May 2015

Time: 11am

Location: International Organisation of Vine and Wine, (OIV), 18 Rue d'Aguesseau, Paris 75008 - Metro station Madeleine or Concorde

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The 2015 edition awarded Trophies to the 14 best films selected from among 130 competing films from 16 countries. The 2015 awards confirm the international character of the Festival and go to productions from Australia, America, Belgium, Spain, France, Georgia, Mexico and Switzerland.

Consult the complete 2015 list of award winners for the best films on vines and wine

Consult the 2015 award for Terroirs d’Images