Bloody French

French winemakers have in recent times taken to objecting to the use of words like 'champagne' and 'burgundy' and now the buggers have gone and stolen the word 'kiwi' as well. Despite New Zealand label 'Kiwi White' selling in Europe before the establishment of LaChateau's new brand name 'Kiwi Cuvee', they are now banned from selling their product in Europe as French company LaChateau was the first to patent the word 'kiwi' as a trademark for wine. Since Kiwi White lack the money to wage a costly legal battle the French get to trade off on NZ's reputation as a stellar producer of sauvignon blanc.

- care of NZ Herald, 6/12/05