Assessing the use of Geographical Indications for the New England wine region in NSW

Geographical Indications (GIs) have increasingly been used as a marketing tool to create an image of quality and uniqueness, and so capture premium prices. Hedonic pricing studies have shown that indication of geographical origin of production (e.g. country, region, wineries, and location), can affect prices. However, Geographical Indications only work when they are backed up by quality products. The objectives of this study are to assess the potential of a proposed Geographical Indication for the emerging "New England" wine region in promoting local wines and to make recommendations on how that potential, if it exists, can be realised. The assessment is based on an overview of existing systems of Geographical Indications and conditions, both economic and regulatory, which are required for successful geographical indication applications.