The names of wines made in countries that are members of the European Union (EU) are protected by EU laws within the Protected Geographical Status framework. The laws, which are enforced within the EU and are being gradually expanded internationally via bilateral agreements of the EU with non-EU countries, ensure that only products genuinely originating in that region are allowed in commerce as such. These laws also protect the names of cheeses, hams, sausages, olives, beers, Balsamic vinegar and even regional breads, fruits and vegetables. It is stated that the purpose of the laws is “to protect the reputation of the regional foods and eliminate the unfair competition and misleading of consumers by non-genuine products that may be of inferior quality or of different flavour”… or is it?

Commodities such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Camembert de Normandie and Champagne can only be labelled as such if they come from the designated region. What we now call Champagne did not originate in the place it now calls home — evidence exists to show that the British documented sparkling wine long before anyone in Champagne even heard about it. Somehow some smart individuals decided to take this product, improve on it, market it, then after everyone fell in love with it laws were passed so that no one could use the name that made it popular, even if it was made the exact same way and sometimes by the exact same winemaker. Port from Portugal and Sherry from Spain are among some other products that have benefited from these laws. Again, Port was created by the British for the British.

Blue Mountain Coffee

Jamaica has also benefited from these types of Protected Geographical Status laws with our world-famous coffee. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is a globally protected certification mark, meaning that only coffee certified by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica can be labelled as such. The coffee must come from a recognised growing region complete with boundaries in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica and its cultivation is monitored by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica. Coffee grown at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 feet (1,700 m) can be called Jamaica Blue Mountain. Coffee grown at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 feet (910 m) is called Jamaica High Mountain, and coffee grown below 1,500-foot (460-m) elevation is called Jamaica Supreme or Jamaica Low Mountain. There are several grades assigned to different lots, based on factors such as bean size, appearance, and defects allowed.

Protecting Reggae

While I have not made any legal consultation on the matter, I can’t help but wonder: “What if we could give Reggae music the same type of geographic protection similar to what the EU does with its products and we give to our coffee?” I attended the launch of the latest edition of Jamaica Journal which focused on our music. At the same event veteran radio disc jockey and musicologist Dermott Hussey handed over his music collection to the newly created Jamaica Music Museum. Several presentations from persons like Dr Alfred Sangster, Herbie Miller, head of the Jamaica Music Museum and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange raised concerns about our losing our grip on the music that we created. A recent article in this newspaper titled “The business of reggae and dancehall music”, raised the issues of copyright, intellectual property and the legalities related to the business.

What if we could redefine reggae as Jamaican Reggae — a genre of music produced (some of the technical music terms like beats and measures, etc could be included) in Jamaica by Jamaican artistes — similar to what the people of Champagne did for the sparkling wine? Think about it, over a period of time, all these ‘reggae artistes’ from Europe will need to find a new name for their product, just like all the producers who used to make ‘port-styled wine’ before the EU laws came into effect.

Cheers! Please listen to some Jamaican Reggae music and sip on some good Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee today.

Chris Reckord is an independent wine consultant who operates DeVine Wine Services with his wife Kerri-Anne. Chris & Kerri are also part owners of Jamaica’s first and only wine-only bar -Bin 26 Wine Bar. Please send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com . Follow us on twitter.com/DeVineWines