The Wine Label - American The Federal Regulations Code that controls the wine label in the United States is Title 27 Part 4 of the Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms Bureau, a Department of the Treasury, known as "ATF." Under Part 4 of the ATF, Labeling and Advertising of Wine is controlled and standardized. The ATF sets standards for the Application (similar to French "A.O.C." - Appellation d'Origine Controlee). This standard identifies the blends of wine, cellar treatment, and alteration of class or type on the label. The labeling must specify the Varietal (grape type) as to generic, semi-generic, and non-generic designations of geographic significance. The origin of the wine, as to place grown and place made with the year produced and any significance of the varietal used, must be included on the label.
The wine label will list some 14 or more standards. Each standard aids the consumer in understanding the agricultural product or products contained in the wine presented. The information can assist the consumer in making an informed decision in choosing and purchasing wine. It helps the consumer to know the dominant grape. The dominant grape can and does influence the over all quality and taste of the wine. The dominant grape and the percentage used is what makes one wine different from another. The other standards are just as important in helping the consumer narrow their choices.
Although the ATF regulations are detailed and apply to wine of at least seven percent of alcohol or more, the consumer must still read the label to gain the advantage and protection of the application standards. The consumer should know and look for the 14 major standards. The standards are as following:
BRAND The brand name can be any name the bottler of the wine wishes to use. It must not confuse or mislead the consumer and needs to registered.
ESTATE BOTTLED The meaning of "Estate Bottled" has the same meaning as in Europe. Estate Bottled means that 100 percent of the grapes where grown at the stated location and that no wine from any other area has been added to make the wine either before or during bottling of the wine.
VINTAGE DATE When the vintage date is placed on the label it means that 95 percent or more of the wine was produced during the year shown on the label. If the appellation of origin is smaller than a country, then this information must also be shown.
NAME AND ADDRESS The trade name or company with the address of the bottler or importer must be shown to assist the consumer if contact needs to be made. Domestic wines must state "Bottled By" followed by the name and address of the bottler. Imported wines must state "Imported By" followed by the name and address of the importer.
APPELLATION OF ORIGIN The place where the dominant grapes where produced is the Appellation of Origin. The Appellation of Origin can be a country, state, county or geographic region with the viticultural area. The more detailed the easier it is for the consumer to determine that place where the grapes where grown. If a country, state or county is listed as the Appellation of Origin, then 75 percent of the wine must grown and produced in the place named.
ALCOHOL CONTENT An indication as to the alcohol content may be presented as a percentage by volume or 7 to 14 percent alcohol or an alternative statement referring to this range of alcohol content by either "Table Wine" or "Light Wine."
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN If the wine is a domestic, the city and state is sufficient. If the wine has been imported into the United States, the country of origin must be stated. Example, "Product of France.
VITICULTURAL AREA In the United State a viticultural area is defined as grape-growing region with a specific soil type, climate, history and specific geographic features that sets the region apart from any other specific region. There must be 85 percent or more of the wine produced from grapes from this particular area.
DECLARATION OF SULFITES The requirement of sulfites must be listed on all wine products that contains 10 or more parts per million (ppm) of sulfur dioxide. If the wine is intended to be sold only in intrastate commerce this label is not required although it still may be on the label.
NET CONTENTS The amount of wine in the container is measured in the metric system and must contain the amount as labeled.
VARIETAL DESIGNATIONS
Varietal designations are the names of the dominant grapes used in the wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Merlot are examples of grape varieties. There must be 75 percent of the designated varietal as listed on the label. An exception to this requirement is the Concord grape varietal that need only have 51 percent.
HEALTH WARNING STATEMENT Required on all alcoholic beverages containing .5% or more alcohol by volume. “GOVERNMENT WARNING” must appear in capital letters and bold type. The remainder of the statement may not appear in bold type. The statement reads as follows:
GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic
beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
OTHER DESIGNATIONS Wine may be designated as "Red Wine", "White Wine", "Rose Wine", or "Table Wine." Or the wine may be designated as to a type of wine like "Burgundy", Chablis", or "Chianti." which may indicated an original geographic region where the wine was produced but now produced elsewhere in that style. There may be other distinctive names used in place of a region or within a country of origin.
Research From:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/regulations/27cfr4.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appellation_of_origin
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