May 7, 2010
Greetings! We hope you are having a satisfying and memorable week! This edition includes a certification requirement for pinor noir, as well as, a primer on labeling.
In the TTB Newsletter, we compile the top TTB news of the week and other helpful information about the Bureau and the Federal alcohol and tobacco laws and regulations we enforce. Please send any questions and/or comments to Executive Liaison for Industry Matters (industryliaison@ttb.gov) and/or State Liaison (stateliaison@ttb.gov). |
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CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR PINOT NOIR
On May 3, 2010, TTB began requiring all proprietors importing or bottling wine labeled or to be labeled as pinot noir with an appellation of origin in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France to obtain a declaration from the Government of France stating that the wine was produced in accordance with French laws and regulations, including those for the minimum percentage of wine derived from pinot noir grapes, and the minimum percentage of wine derived from grapes grown in the labeled appellation of origin area. This requirement also applies to existing bottled inventory held by the importer or bottler of such wine labeled as pinot noir and naming such French appellation of origin. TTB is instituting this requirement to prevent the sale of mislabeled wine to U.S. consumers after communicating with French authorities about the recent case in which several parties were convicted of selling wine falsely labeled as pinot noir from Languedoc-Roussillon to U.S. customers. Please see TTB Industry Circular 2010-5 below for more information.
PRIMER ON LABELING
Labels-which must be pre-approved by TTB-are an important source of information for consumers. This section provides resources intended to help take the mystery out of labeling regulations and procedures. For more specific commodity-related information, please visit the commodity tabs across the top of the TTB.gov homepage.
Labeling Information Resources
- What You Should Know AboutLabeling-These TTB brochures provide explanations of the information that must be provided to the public on the following labels:
- Laws and Regulations - TTB's labeling laws and regulations.
- Rulings - TTB's labeling rulings.
- Industry Circulars - Keep up-to-date with information concerning TTB-regulated industry.
- Procedures - Formal instructions to the industry that supplement TTB labeling regulations.
U.S. Appellations of Origin - Learn all about appellations of origin-approved U.S. viticultural areas as identified in 27 CFR part 9-at TTB's "U.S. Appellations of Origins" page. Learn about foreign appellations of origin, as well.
- Labels with Organic Claims - TTB provides you with the most up-to-date information for the production, handling, processing, labeling, and marketing of products labeled with organic claims.
- Labeling Fact Review Methods - TTB periodically reviews labeling and advertising claims by taking samples of alcohol beverage products for validation purposes. TTB's "Alcohol Fact Labeling Methods" page provides details on this process.
- Pre-COLA Evaluation - For many alcohol beverage products, TTB requires a product evaluation to determine whether a proposed label identifies the product in an adequate and non-misleading way. Visit TTB's "Formulation" pages to learn more.
Mandatory Labeling Requirements
- Distilled Spirits - The basics of distilled spirits labeling.
- Malt Beverages - The basics of malt beverage labeling.
COLAs Guidance
- Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA) - Alcohol producers must apply for a COLA and follow TTB's labeling and advertising regulations.
- COLAs Online - COLAs Online is an Internet based system that allows registered industry members to complete the label certification and approval process online.
- Retention of COLAs by Alcohol Wholesalers - TTB guidance for retention of COLAs by alcohol wholesalers.
- New COLA Forms - This document contains information about two new COLA Forms now available.
COLAs Online eNews - A quarterly electronic newsletter designed with the users of our Web-based label approval system in mind.