Wine export crisis averted

Montalcino, Italy -- Italian authorities resolved a certification issue for Brunello di Montalcino wine, which will continue to be exported to the United States, authorities said.

Exports of the popular wine to the United States were in question until June 23, when the U.S. Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco and Trade Bureau posted rules that said the wine needed to be co-signed by the producer and an Italian official to certify its authenticity, ANSA reported Thursday.

Prior to that, the bureau had demanded the wine be certified through laboratory testing.

The final issue in the dispute was for the Italians to resolve which officials would certify the shipments.

Italians resolved the issue by choosing the Ministry of Agriculture.

''With this act we have not only reinforced our system to guarantee the utmost protection of the consumer, but also restored the image of Brunello, which is a symbol of Italian excellence not only in the United States but the whole world,'' Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia said.

Zaia signed the new order with U.S. Ambassador Ronald Spogli present.

"I believe this was an excellent example of how trade issues between Italy and the U.S. can be resolved swiftly,'' Spogli said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.