OIV – what is it?

In the last issue of The Brief we mentioned that Montenegro has joined the OIV. Unfortunately we were a little bit imprecise in explaining what OIV is. Federico Castellucci, general secretary of the OIV, has asked us to clarify that OIV stands for Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin, or in English: International Organisation of Vine and Wine, and that OIV is an intergovernmental organisation of a scientific and technical nature and a recognised competence for its works concerning vines, wine, wine-based beverages, table grapes, raisins and other vine-based products. It is composed of 43 member countries who have an economic interest in wines and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic products derived from grapes. Clarification now done. More info on their site: www.oiv.int