USA Wine Label Information

Wine labels in the United States, like other new world wine producing countries, are straightforward and easy to understand. Since the wines are not classified according to quality, the US wine labels are often basic source of information although the widespread use of back labels as effective communication tool means that the consumer can get a far broader understanding of the product.

The American labeling laws are enforced by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). It ensures that all the wines produced in the country are within the framework of the US wine laws.

The minimum information required on the American wine labels are as follows:

• Brand identification or brand name: This may be the producer's name, winery name, growing area, the name of the appellation where the wine originated, the grape variety, or a trademark name.
• Class or type of wine: It is mandatory that all wine labels identify the contents as being one of several classes, namely table wine, sparkling wine, fruit wine, aperitif wine or carbonated grape wine among others.
• Name and address of the bottler or producer: The words 'bottled by' must precede the name and address of the bottler. 'Produced and bottled by' is allowed if the bottler fermented and clarified at least 75% of the wine.
• Appellation of origin: The appellation system in the US is commonly referred to as AVA or American Viticultural Area. These AVAs are based on distinct climate and geographical features and are important source of information although the statement can be broad or as specific as a vineyard, or it could include both. In order to have an AVA appear on a wine label, the following specifications have to be met:
  • For the majority of US States the State Appellation requires 75% of the grapes in the wine to be grown in the state.
  • With the larger state and county appellations the laws vary depending on the area. For a County Appellation, 75% of the grapes used must be from that county.
  • If a wine label specifies an officially designated viticultural area, (eg. Sonoma Valley), a minimum of 85% of the grapes must come from within the named region.
• Varietal labeling: For bottles labeled by varietal at least 75% of the grape must be of the varietal although there are some exceptions, like in Oregon, this requirement is 90%.
• Vintage labeling: At least 95% of grapes must be from a particular vintage for that year to appear on the label.
• Alcohol content: For wines under 14%, either the alcohol content may be stated or the designations 'Table Wine' or 'Light Wine' may be used, both phrases implying alcohol content within a range of 7% to 14%. On the other hand, alcohol content is mandatory on any wines containing more than 14% alcohol by volume and are often considered 'fortified'.
• Volume of contents: A mandatory information that may appear as 'Liters', 'Fluid Ounces' or 'Milliliters'.
• Declaration of sulfites: This information appears if the sulfur level in a wine is above a certain limit. Wines labeled as 'Organic' will be free of any artificially added sulfites and those that display 'Made with organically grown grapes' will have more sulfites than 'Organic' wines.
• Government health warning: Any wine bottled or imported for sale or distribution in the United States, must have a health warning statement on the label.

Please have a look at the illustration below for a typical US wine label. You may find it helpful to compare the information with the ones listed above.

Please also have a look at the wine label information for the European Union, France, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Alsace, Champagne, Italy, Germany, Australia or a general information regarding wine labels.

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