The answer is when the EU decides to change the rules and the French say NO! On April 27th, the European Commission is expected to approve the production of Rose wine by mixing red and white wines. The French, in their inimitable manner, have threatened to ban such production of what they call “artificial wine,” if the legislation is ratified. France, the worldwide leading Rose producer, fears that wine markets will become tainted with inferior Rose, thus reflecting poorly upon the renown Tavel region. Presently, Rose is produced using red grapes only and then permitting the juice to remain in contact with the skins for a limited period of time, thus producing the pink and refreshing alcoholic drink. This reform has been suggested as a tactic to increase Rose wine production in new and rapidly expanding markets such as China (see News above about Chateau Lafite Rothschild in China).