Wine Laws / GDD

Question 1

US labels: Appellation

Answer 1

if labeled by country/state/county: 75%**
if labeled by AVA: 85%**
if labeled by single vineyard: 95%

**CA, OR, WA exception: if labeled by these states, 100% (CA/OR) and 95% (WA)

**OR exception: 95% if labeled by AVA

Question 2

US labels: Vintage

Answer 2

if labeled by state/county: 85%

if labeled by AVA: 95%

Question 3

US labels: Variety

Answer 3

75% (51% if Vitis Labrusca, ex. Concord)

OR exception: 90% for grapes excluding Bdx, Rhone, Zin, Sangio, Tannat, Tempranillo

(so Pinot, Riesling, etc must have 90% to label as varietal wine)

Question 4

US labels: abv / other

Answer 4

alcohol
+/- 1.5%

“Contains Sulfites” if 10ppm or more

Question 5

US labels: Estate Bottled

Answer 5

100% grapes from land owned/controlled by winery

Winery and all vineyards from same AVA

Question 6

Degree Days (GDD)

Answer 6

Degree days are calculated by multiplying the days in each month of the growing season (defined as April 1 through October 31) by the mean number of degrees over 50°F for that month. The months’ totals are then added together to arrive at the heat summation.

Question 7

Degree Days Regions

Answer 7

Region Ia
1,500-2,000° days F (850-1,111° days C)
Region Ib
2,000-2,500° days F (1,111-1389° days C)
Region II
2,500-3,000° days F (1,389-1,667° days C)
Region III
3,000-3,500° days F (1,667-1,944° days C)
Region IV
3,500-4,000° days F (1,944-2,222° days C)
Region V
4,000-4,900° days F (2,222-2,700° days C)