Wineries that focus too much on removing imperfections could also lose the character and uniqueness of their produce, Louis Jadot's head winemaker has claimed.

Speaking to Decanter, Jacques Lardiere said the Australian approach to winemaking, which strives for technical perfection, also runs the risk of rewarding neutrality.

"It's easy to clean up a wine, but by removing faults, unless they're truly detrimental, you also remove its life," he told the publication.

"I refuse to go along with it."

The veteran vintner has been with Lois Jadot for 40 years and is due to retire at the end of 2012, to be replaced by Frederic Barnier of chateau de Chassagne-Montrachet.

The comments come soon after Bordeaux trade body Anivin de France suggested homogenising France's appellation system into a number of global, "Coca-Cola"-like brands.

Although the proposals were met with hostility from many growers in the Medoc, Anivin de France said it would ensure "a consistency of quality" that would retain consumer loyalty all year round.