Wine Makers Fight New Website Suffixes

European wine producers, together with their Californian and Australian counterparts, are fighting a rear-guard action to prevent the introduction of Internet domain names such as .vin and .wine.

Producers of fine wines argue that making the .wine and .vin domain names available could make it easier for unscrupulous companies to pass off inferior wines as Champagne, Brunello di Montalcino or Napa Valley sparkling wine. European wine producers said they are ready to boycott the new domain names if they are issued.