I am excited to share that I recently joined Ria Windcaller on the renowned Cider Chat podcast for a deep and engaging conversation about Pommeau, its history, and how U.S. producers are increasingly exploring this traditional French beverage. The episode, 478: Pommeau: What Happens When a French Classic Lands on…
Category: General Wine Law
TTB Proposes New Requirements for Mandatory Food Allergen and Alcohol Facts on Wine, Spirits, and Malt Beverage Labels
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) is revisiting its rulemaking on labeling alcoholic beverages with allergen information and Alcohol Facts, including per-serving alcohol content, calorie count, and nutrient details. In January 2025, TTB published Notice No. 238 and Notice No. 237 on the Federal Register, allowing for…
TTB Introduces New Standards of Fill for Wine and Distilled Spirits
On January 10, 2025, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) issued a final rule introducing new standards of fill for wine and distilled spirits containers. These amendments not only expand the allowable container sizes but also provide increased flexibility for industry members while offering consumers greater purchasing options. Key…
2024 Year in Review: Key Legal Trends in the Alcohol Beverage Industry
As the alcohol beverage industry continues to grow and evolve, 2024 is shaping up to be a year of significant legal developments and trends. For wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies, understanding the key legal changes and emerging issues is crucial to staying compliant and competitive. In this year-in-review post,…
European Commission Makes Last Minute Change to New Wine Label Regulations
EU Regulation 2021/2117 creates a significant change for the European Union’s wine and aromatic wine market. As of December 8, 2023, wines bound for the EU market must prominently feature a comprehensive list of all added ingredients on their labels. Many wineries planned in advance and printed labels to comply…
Proactive Legal and Compliance Steps for Wineries in a COVID-19 Environment
In a world where the spread of COVID-19 is increasing and where consumers and businesses alike have encouraged “social distancing,” it is not without many sacrifices. The wine industry and other service-based businesses are certainly not immune and must be creative during a time where consumers and workers are staying home….
Oregon May Soon Tighten its Wine Law for Wines Produced or Bottled in Other States
A bill was introduced to the Oregon Senate last week which proposes to amend several sections of the Oregon Revised Statutes, namely ORS 471.445 and ORS 471.446. The Senate Bill, SB 111-1, proposes significants changes to the Oregon Revised Statutes with respect to wine labeling, many of which will directly impact wineries located…
TTB Suspends Multiple Permits for Consignment Sales
Last week, TTB reported that the agency suspended six (6) alcohol beverage permits between December 2018 and January 2019 for violations of consignment sale provisions of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. Four wine wholesalers and two wineries faced a one-day stipulated permit suspension; a fifth wholesaler who was under investigation opted to…
Formula Wines: Enology & Regulatory Issues at 2019 Eastern Winery Expo
Join Denise Gardner of Denise Gardner Winemaking and me at the 2019 Eastern Winery Expo in Syracuse, New York March 19th through 21st for a discussion on formula wines and their enology and regulatory issues. A description of our event is provided below. Formula wines (those with non-wine flavorings like vanilla, chocolate or colors added) are taking…
California Winery Could Be Non-Compliant with TTB’s AVA Labeling Regulations
According to Wine Business, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (“OLCC”) submitted a letter to TTB in regard to a Napa Valley wine company’s alleged non-compliance with TTB labeling and advertising regulations. The complaint argues that the Elouan and The Willametter wines produced by Copper Cane LLC of Rutherford, California—which boast Oregon…
