A decision has been handed down by IP Australia, in WFA’s opposition to the registration of “Avola” as a GI, which will provide Nero d’Avola producers with some needed comfort. The decision held that the evidence provided by WFA had “establishes that Nero d’Avola is used in Australia as the name of a variety of grapes”. However that “evidence does not establish that Avola solus is used in Australia as the name of a variety of grapes.” This means Avola will likely be protected as a GI in Australia, but more importantly, it is a significantly positive outcome, which will allow for homonymous use of the grape variety (Nero d’Avola) and the GI (Avola).
