RELATIONSHIPS
Label exercise: What do the 75%, 85%, and 95% figures represent? — Comparative perspectives
Read geography, grape resources, and production processes separately.
Grapes
The federal requirement is 75% or more.
AVA
The basic requirement for origin is 85% or more.
Vintage year with AVA
At least 95% from the declared vintage.
This is a schematic diagram summarizing the main text. It does not represent production areas or quality rankings. Sources and reference materials
FIELD NOTE 01
Separate grape varieties and places.
In general federal labelling, single variety wines require 75% or more of the variety, and that variety must be grown within the declared origin. With an AVA, at least 85% of the grapes must be from the AVA. The requirements to use at least 75% Cabernet and to use at least 85% Napa fruit are separate conditions.
FIELD NOTE 02
Vintage is an additional distinguishing factor.
When a vintage is indicated with an AVA, the wine must be made from at least 95% grapes harvested in the stated year. For origin indications other than AVA, the basic requirement is 85% or more. For example, under the assumption of “80% variety, 90% within AVA, 93% for the stated year,” the condition of 95% for AVA vintages is not satisfied.
FIELD NOTE 03
Region and Estate bottled
California labeling requires 100% in-state grapes; Oregon enforces stricter rules on varietals and in-state AVAs. 'Estate bottled' indicates the vineyard and winery are within the labeled AVA, that the grapes are 100% from estate-owned or managed vineyards, and that every step from crushing to bottling is done continuously at the facility. It does not simply mean 'bottled by the producer'.
Does not meet the federal 95% requirement. Assess separately from meeting grape and AVA conditions.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
For a wine indicating an AVA, if 93% of the grapes are from the stated year, can the vintage be shown as well?
Read the explanation ＋
Does not meet the federal 95% requirement. Assess separately from meeting grape and AVA conditions.
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Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
- TTB | Grape variety labelling ↗
- TTB | Origin and Estate bottled ↗
- eCFR｜27 CFR 4.27 Vintage Year Statement ↗
- Wine Institute | California's Regions and Labeling ↗
- Oregon Wine Board: Labeling Rules ↗