USA wine laws

Question 1

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)

Answer 1

-in the late 1970s finalized a new system that would, in theory, demarcate appellations based on distinctive geographical, physical, and climatic features.

Question 2

The bureau approved America’s first AVA

Answer 2

Augusta, in Missouri in late 1980

Question 3

Napa Valley gained AVA status in

Answer 3

1981

Question 4

The Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

Answer 4

Today, a new federal bureau created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, oversees the AVA system.

Question 5

AVA

Answer 5

• American Viticultural Areas
• an AVA is only an indication of geographic origin
• does not require producers to adhere to any additional guidelines in the vineyard or the winery

Question 6

Percentage of Grapes Required for Labeling by Appellation

Answer 6

If labeled by country, state, or county: 75%
If labeled by varietal: 75%
If labeled by AVA: 85%
If labeled with a single vineyard: 95%
-California, Washington and Oregon are exceptions

Question 7

TTB Vintage %

Answer 7

• 85% / 95%**
• *The TTB requires a minimum 85% of the stated vintage for wines labeled by state or county, and a minimum 95% for wines labeled with an AVA.

Question 8

USA label designation: Estate-Bottled:

Answer 8

• the wine is labeled with an AVA;
• the winery is located in that same AVA;
• the winery owns or “controls” the vineyard; and the crushed, fermented, finished, and bottled the wine on the same property.
• By “control,” the winery must have total viticultural control under a leasing agreement or similar arrangement for at least three years’ duration.

Question 9

USA label designation: Table Wine / Light Wine:

Answer 9

In lieu of an actual ABV declaration, a wine of 7-14% alcohol by volume may be labeled with one of these terms.