(Wines&Vines) - Napa Valley may produce only a small percentage of U.S. wine, but it has a huge reputation. That was demonstrated last week, when Matthias Fekl, the French minister of state for foreign trade, tourism and promotion of French nationals abroad, visited Napa Valley during a trip to to discuss globalization and trade.

Fekl met at Silverado Vineyards with members of The Napa Valley Vintners including president/CEO Linda Reiff and government relations director Rex Stults, plus board members including Susan Boswell of Chateau Boswell Winery, Pat Stotesbery of Ladera Vineyards and Russ Weis, general manager of Silverado Vineyards.

Napa Valley initiated the 2005 appeal to protect designations of origin for wine in international trade, and Fekl said he visited the area “to take part in a discussion with members of the Napa Name Protection committee,” which now includes 19 designations of origin including Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Champagne.

“France lends considerable support to this system to protect agri-food production at the international level. The Napa Valley producers whom I had the pleasure of meeting expressed their support to me for this shared demand in support of promoting expertise and the quality of products. Their appeal and their struggle is a legitimate demand, consistent with the increasing demands of consumers and the right of producers to make a decent living. It was a key moment for me during this visit,” he said.