USA & CA Wine Law/History Flashcards
Who currently and previously regulates wine labeling
TTB (Tax & Trade Bureau)
BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms)
What are the requirements for varietal labeling in any category?
75%
How many wineries in U.S.?
10,000
What country is first in Alcohol consumption by volume?
U.S.
CA accounts for what % of U.S. production?
81-85%
What are the top 4 wine producing states by volume?
- CA
- NY
- WA
- OR
What are the laws for origin of grapes for:
Country State CA County AVA Vineyard
75 75 100 75 85 95
What are the laws for vintage accuracy for: Country State CA County AVA Vineyard
Prohibited 85 85 85 95 95
When can a wine not be listed with an ABV on the label?
If it’s between 7-14% and labeled “Table Wine”
What ABV laws for 14% or less
+- 1.5% as long as not over 14%
What ABV laws for 14.1% or more
+- 1% as long as not under 14.1%
Organic generally refers to…
No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides etc.
If “organic” is on the label…
- must bet 100% from certified organic vineyards and winery
- No sulfites may be added
- max sulfites <10 ppm
- May use USDA organic seal
If “made from organic grapes” is on the label
- Must be 100% from certified organic vineyards and winery
- May add Sulfites up to 100ppm
- Must be labeled “Contains Sulfites”
- May not use USDA organic seal
Biodynamic wines are certified by what body?
Demeter
Does U.S. wine law govern the term “biodynamic”
No
Does U.S. wine law govern the term “sustainable”
No
Name some organizations and regions sustainability programs:
Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing
Napa Green
Certified Green
SIP (Sustainability in Practice)
What is IPM
Integrated Pest Management
What are common characteristics of “Natural” wine?
0 or low sulfur Native Yeast 0 additives Unfined, unfiltered, no cold stabilization Skin Contact/Orange No Barrel Topping No Malo Fermented in quevri/kvevri
“Estate Bottle”/ “Estate Grown” requires 3 things.
- Winery and Vineyards must be located in the same AVA
- Winery must own or control the vineyards in which the grapes were grown
- Winery crushes, ferments, finishes, ages and bottles wine in a continuous process
Who owns the term “Meritage”?
Why does it exist
Meritage Alliance
To protect Bordeaux
What reds allowed in meritage
whites?
red: CS, CF, Merlot, Malbec, PV, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, Carmenere.
white: SB, Semillon, Muscadelle (Sometimes referred to as Sauvignon Vert but this is NOT Friulano)
What rules for Meritage?
- At least 2 grapes.
- No grape can be more than 90%
- 1 of your 2 best wines
While there is no legal requirement for these terms, what may they infer?
Old Vine
Ancient vine
Century Vine
25 yr
50 yr
100 yr
What was first U.S. AVA and in what yr
Augusta AVA in Missouri
June 1980
When was Napa Valley AVA approved
1981
How many wineries in CA?
4600+ (3900+ bonded)
1990-2010 increase in wineries?
210%
CA wine sales/per yr?
31 billion
What % of U.S. wine purchases are from CA
60%
How many people employed in CA wine industry?
325K
