Is Rhum Agricole Under Siege?
Luis Ayala
It is our tradition each year to dedicate the November issue of “Got Rum?” to Rhum Agricole. I believe that these rhums represent a critical aspect of the industry, a form of time capsule that preserves traditions and flavors that would almost certainly have disappeared if it had not been for the creation of the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C.).
The “Rhum Agricole” denomination, however, is facing its toughest challenge yet: defending its essence against dilution by similarly-named products distilled in countries or by standards other than those clearly specified by the norm.
We are happy to interview Mr. Marc Sassier from Saint James once again, to better understand his views on the matter. Defining standards is relatively easy, compared to the challenges of enforcing them. Please read his interview, which starts on page 46.
Will the European Union and the World Trade Organization step in to enforce the “Agricole” A.O.C. standard? Will producers in the USA, Haiti, Brazil and many other countries be allowed to use (often very loosely) the “Agricole” denomination on their labels?
The threat to “Agricole” is not an issue just for producers, but also for consumers who should know what the name means from a production perspective and how this controlled denomination can guarantee a consistent level of quality, now and in the future.
In this issue Marco Pierini also starts us on a new journey of historical research, based on the notion that the origins of rum may be French indeed! You can read Part I of this new series starting on page 34.
Cheers,
Luis Ayala, Editor and Publisher