The Catalan Wine Regulatory Councils, representing the 12 designations of origin, believe that the public television's toast should have been made with wine or cava, products they consider "emblematic of the country". This complaint was formalized through a joint letter sent to the president of the Generalitat, the minister of Agriculture, the director of INCAVI, and the president of 3Cat.
To disassociate this emblematic moment from the country's own products, especially on a publicly owned television, transmits a worrying message far removed from the public service function.
In the statement issued this Monday, DO Empordà emphasized that Catalonia has a "deeply rooted" wine tradition, with 12 designations of origin that contribute decisively to rural development and international projection. Therefore, the New Year's Eve toast should be considered "a gesture of strong symbolic, cultural, and identity value".
Representatives of the wine sector point out that the responsibility of public media goes "beyond audience or advertising revenue". They demand that public media prioritize the promotion of local culture and production, preventing such decisions from responding to "strictly economic, commercial criteria or possible product placement practices".
The letter was jointly signed by the 12 regulatory councils of the designations of origin Alella, Catalunya, Cava, Conca de Barberà, Costers del Segre, Empordà, Montsant, Penedès, Pla de Bages, Priorat, Tarragona, and Terra Alta, who request a review of the product selection criteria for future broadcasts.
