Label Reading Flashcards
T/F
A New World wine label requires:
A brand name
True
T/F
A New World wine label requires:
The class or type of wine
True
T/F
A New World wine label requires:
The name and address of the bottler
True
T/F
A New World wine label requires:
The alcohol content of the wine
True
T/F
A New World wine label requires:
A sulfite statement
True
T/F
A New World wine label requires:
A health warning
True
T/F
A New World wine label requires:
The net content of the bottle
True
What are the two types of generic wine allowed under American law?
Vermouth and Sake
T/F
Producers of vermouth do not have to indicate the geographical source of their grapes
True
T/F
Producers of sake do not have to indicate the geographical source of their rice
True
After _____ , many US producers attracted market interest by naming their wines after well-known European appellations
Prohibition
The ___ juggles long time domestic usage with pressure from European wine interests in deciding which wine descriptions it will permit
TTB
T/F
A fully generic term may not be used in any form on an American wine label
True
A semi-generic term must be used in conjunction with __ _________ _____ ____
An American place name
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Rioja
Fully
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Beaujolais
Fully
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Bordeaux
Fully
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Port
Semi
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Sherry
Semi
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Marsala
Semi
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Sauterne
Semi
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Tokay
Semi
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Chianti
Semi
Fully- or Semi- Generic?
Chablis
Semi
Can a wine labeled “California Sherry” be exported to Europe?
No
Can an American sparkling wine that wishes to avoid “semi-generic” status use the word “Champagne” on its label?
No
Can an American sparkling wine that wishes to avoid “semi-generic” status use the words “méthode champanoise” on its label?
No
Can an American sparkling wine that wishes to avoid “semi-generic” status use the words “naturally fermented in this bottle” on the label?
Yes
Can an American sparkling wine that wishes to avoid “semi-generic” status use words like “Brut” or “Extra Dry” on the label?
Yes
T/F
All US wines must show some indication of the type of wine they contain
True
If a US wine is varietally labeled, the wine must contain at least ____% of grapes from that variety
75%
If an Oregon wine is varietally labeled, the wine must contain at least ____% of grapes from that variety
90%
If an EU wine is varietally labeled, the wine must contain at least ____% of grapes from that variety
85%
Will the EU allow US varietally labeled wines to be imported?
Yes
If a wine made from Native American Grapes is varietally labeled, the wine must contain at least ____% of grapes from that variety
51%
T/F
In the case where no one grape variety makes up 75% or more of the wine, a varietal label is permitted only if all the blended varieties are named, with their percentages
True
T/F
In the US, there is no requirement that a wine labeled as a varietal indicate the other grapes that have been used to fill in the other 25% (or less)
True
T/F
A US producer may indicate the full blending proportions on the back label if they choose
True
_____ wines are those protected by trademark
Proprietary
American or European?
Stress the importance of terroir
European
American or European?
Belief that great wine is made in the winery, using the best grapes, no matter where they are grown
American
In 1978, the first American ____ were established
AVAs
What does TTB stand for?
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Who approves new American AVAs?
TTB
Should an AVA be able to be precisely defined on a US Geological Survey map?
Yes
Should an AVA use a name that has been commonly or historically associated with the area?
Yes
Should an AVA have climate, soil, aspect, elevation, and other geological features that make it distinct from surrounding wine producing areas?
Yes
Where was the first AVA awarded?
Augusta, Missouri (June 20, 1980)
What is the second AVA to be named?
Napa Valley, CA
Is a vintage date optional on an American wine label?
Yes
What is the caveat if a vintage date is included on a wine label?
The place indicator must be more specific than a country
If an AVA or equivalent foreign appellation is named with a vintage date, _____% of the grapes are required to be from that year
95%
If the wine is not an AVA (or foreign equivalent), what is the threshold amount for vintage labeling?
85%
Is Bottling Date required on an American wine label?
No
US: A wine labeled with a country name must contain at least _____% content from that country
75%
A _____ on a wine label may be a winery, a wine merchant, an importer, or even a retailer that has contracted for the wine to be produced under its own label
Bottler
New World: “_____ _____” on a label means 75% of grapes were crushed by the producer indicated
Produced By
New World: “_____ _____” may be indicated if at least 10% of the fruit is crushed by the listed name
Made By
New World: “_____ _____” is an alternative name allowed if less than 10% of the grapes are crushed by the name listed (3 options)
Cellared By
Selected By
Vinted By
New World: “_____ , _____ , and _____ by” indicates that the winery grew 100% of the grapes on land it owned and controlled (for a three-year minimum lease), crushed them, made, finished, and bottled the wine, under a specific AVA indication
Grown, Produced, and Cellared By
New World: “_____ _____” wines must come from a vineyard or vineyards owned or leased (for at least three years) by a winery, within a single AVA, in which the winery itself is located, on a 100% basis
Estate bottled
In the American system, why is the 14% alcohol level important?
Tax reasons
In the American system, wines with an alcohol level under 14% are considered “ _____ _____” and taxed at a lower rate
Table wines
In the American system, wines with an alcohol level above 14% are considered “ _____ _____” (no matter how sweet) and taxed at a higher rate
Dessert wines
In the US, what the minimum alcohol level to be called “wine”?
7%
If an alcohol percentage is indicated, how much variation does the TTB allow?
1.5%
Under the American system, do you need to put the percentage of alcohol if your wine is under 14%?
No
Under the American system, do you need to put the percentage of alcohol if your wine is over 14%?
Yes
If a US wine is under 14% alcohol and does not state the exact alcohol percentage, what can the label read instead?
Table wine
If a wine is over 14% alcohol in the US, how much variation in alcohol percentage is allowed from the one stated?
1%
The law requires that any wine containing more than _____ parts per million of sulfur dioxide must indicate on the label that it “Contains Sulfites”
10
Why do most organic certification bodies still permit the use of sulfites?
Producing a wine that will not rapidly spoil without adding sulfites is nearly impossible
What are the two Health Warnings that must be displayed on a US wine label?
- Drinking when pregnant increases the risk of birth defects
- Alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems