USA & CA Wine Law/History

Question 1

Who currently and previously regulates wine labeling

Answer 1

TTB (Tax & Trade Bureau)

BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms)

Question 2

What are the requirements for varietal labeling in any category?

Answer 2

75%

Question 3

How many wineries in U.S.?

Answer 3

10,000

Question 4

What country is first in Alcohol consumption by volume?

Answer 4

U.S.

Question 5

CA accounts for what % of U.S. production?

Answer 5

81-85%

Question 6

What are the top 4 wine producing states by volume?

Answer 6

1. CA
2. NY
3. WA
4. OR

Question 7

What are the laws for origin of grapes for:

Country
State
CA
County
AVA
Vineyard

Answer 7

75
75
100
75
85
95

Question 8

What are the laws for vintage accuracy for:
Country
State
CA
County
AVA
Vineyard

Answer 8

Prohibited
85
85
85
95
95

Question 9

When can a wine not be listed with an ABV on the label?

Answer 9

If it’s between 7-14% and labeled “Table Wine”

Question 10

What ABV laws for 14% or less

Answer 10

+- 1.5% as long as not over 14%

Question 11

What ABV laws for 14.1% or more

Answer 11

+- 1% as long as not under 14.1%

Question 12

Organic generally refers to…

Answer 12

No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides etc.

Question 13

If “organic” is on the label…

Answer 13

• must bet 100% from certified organic vineyards and winery
• No sulfites may be added
• max sulfites <10 ppm
• May use USDA organic seal

Question 14

If “made from organic grapes” is on the label

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

Biodynamic wines are certified by what body?

Answer 15

Demeter

Question 16

Does U.S. wine law govern the term “biodynamic”

Answer 16

No

Question 17

Does U.S. wine law govern the term “sustainable”

Answer 17

No

Question 18

Name some organizations and regions sustainability programs:

Answer 18

Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing
Napa Green
Certified Green
SIP (Sustainability in Practice)

Question 19

What is IPM

Answer 19

Integrated Pest Management

Question 20

What are common characteristics of “Natural” wine?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

“Estate Bottle”/ “Estate Grown” requires 3 things.

Answer 21

1. Winery and Vineyards must be located in the same AVA
2. Winery must own or control the vineyards in which the grapes were grown
3. Winery crushes, ferments, finishes, ages and bottles wine in a continuous process

Question 22

Who owns the term “Meritage”?

Why does it exist

Answer 22

Meritage Alliance

To protect Bordeaux

Question 23

What reds allowed in meritage

whites?

Answer 23

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)

Question 24

What rules for Meritage?

Answer 24

• At least 2 grapes.
• No grape can be more than 90%
• 1 of your 2 best wines

Question 25

While there is no legal requirement for these terms, what may they infer?
Old Vine
Ancient vine
Century Vine

Answer 25

25 yr
50 yr
100 yr

Question 26

What was first U.S. AVA and in what yr

Answer 26

Augusta AVA in Missouri

June 1980

Question 27

When was Napa Valley AVA approved

Answer 27

1981

Question 28

How many wineries in CA?

Answer 28

4600+ (3900+ bonded)

Question 29

1990-2010 increase in wineries?

Answer 29

210%

Question 30

CA wine sales/per yr?

Answer 30

31 billion

Question 31

What % of U.S. wine purchases are from CA

Answer 31

60%

Question 32

How many people employed in CA wine industry?

Answer 32

325K