- At an event organized as part of the AIDV Annual Conference, 18 attorneys who represent and defend the Champagne PDO around the world were awarded this honor
MADRID, October 31, 2024.—Carlos Morán, a partner at Elzaburu, and Miguel Ángel Medina, an associate partner, attended the annual conference organized by the AIDV (Association Internationale des Juristes du Droit de la Vigne et du Vin) last week. This year’s conference focused particularly on issues related to trademarks and geographical indications.
During the conference’s closing dinner, both attorneys from Elzaburu, along with 16 other legal professionals from various countries who represent and defend the Champagne Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) around the world, were unexpectedly awarded the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne at the recommendation of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the equivalent of the Regulatory Council for the Champagne PDO, in recognition of their contributions to defending the legal protection of the Champagne PDO. The ceremony was attended by Charles Gomaere, Director General of the CIVC, as well as other executives from the world’s leading Champagne houses.
The CIVC took advantage of the AIDV conference held in Reims to invite its lawyers from around the world to an event that began with a visit to an interactive center where they were shown aspects of the history, production, and characteristics of wines from the Champagne PDO, followed by a meal and a tour of the CIVC’s offices and facilities.
On Sunday, the 27th, they visited the Henri Giraud cellars and other facilities, where they were shown how Champagne PDO wine is produced, as well as other practices aimed at achieving the highest quality and yield for PDO wines.
For Carlos Morán and Miguel Ángel Medina, “this distinction is a great honor; the Champagne PDO is considered the flagship of geographical indications and is distinguished by its commitment to working with the best and serving as a guide that paves the way for the protection of geographical indications worldwide.”