Say g’day, bonjour, or hola to “American” wine
Trivia: When is an American wine not an American wine?
Answer: When it is from overseas!
According to federal regulations on labeling, for a wine to be labeled as generic “American wine” only 75 percent must come from the good old US of A. According to the TTB, they don’t have a rule on where the other 25 percent comes from. Hmm, truthiness…
This is now being exploited by California producers according to a story on Decanter.com. In the story, an unnamed source cites The Wine Group’s Franzia brand as exploiting the regulatory gap. The California Association of Winegrape Growers is lobbying against it. Bulk wine imports are up 229 percent in the past year according to the story. Meanwhile California had a bountiful harvest last year.
It’s hard to get fired up over jug wine. But American jug wine needs to be all American, dammit! Call your member of Congress and tell him or her to put this issue ahead of a flag burning amendment.
Or just tell the wine regulatory authority, the TTB, that you are for truth in labeling.
phone: (202) 927-8210
Fax: (202) 927-8525
ttbquestions@ttb.treas.gov
tags: wine | wine labels
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On December 15th, 2006 at 11:56 am ,Jack wrote:
In 5-10 years, perhaps this will eventually become like what the fashion industry does; any wine whose appellation isn’t mentioned in a catalog you’ll assume it’s Made in China. For now, why wouldn’t Franzia use cheap, Chinese grapes in 25% of his wine?
On December 15th, 2006 at 12:02 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
The Wine Group can certainly do what they want and is allowable by law.
I’m just sayin’ it’s silly to call it American. But then again even AVAs can have 15 percent from outside the AVA. But that’s silly too. Truth in labeling!!
For Franzia or others who make these global blends, what are the restrictions on “appellation Earth?”
On December 18th, 2006 at 4:43 am ,Paul Sharp wrote:
Wine regulations around the world are quite odd at times and often do not favor the consumer. Apparently some wineries in Australia can’t add enough water!!
http://www.wineconsultant.co.nz/?p=9