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Last week featured three important proposals that would impact the American wine industry in a substantial way.  The Senate Finance Committee passed three tax proposals related to federal alcohol excise taxes. A cider bill would increase the alcohol and carbonation levels for hard cider. The TTB introduced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) changing how an American Viticultural Area (AVA) can be used on a wine label.

WineAmerica is monitoring all of these proposals. Over the next several weeks we will be meeting with members of Congress to insure that any new legislation benefits the American wine industry.

Excise Taxes

The Senate Finance Committee passed a bill making it easier for small wineries to file their federal excise taxes and a bill lowering excise taxes on small breweries.

Small BREW Act Amendment

Seeks to reduce the small brewer rate on the first 60,000 barrels.

Cider Classification

Cider bill would increase the alcohol and carbonation levels for hard cider.

TTB Proposes Major Change to AVA Labeling

New proposed TTB rule would open up the regulations for the use of American Viticultural Areas.

For more information, click here.

Questions? Contact Michael Kaiser at mkaiser@nullwineamerica.org or 202-223-5172.

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The labeling of cider can be confusing. Since many ciders are less than 7% alcohol by volume they are subject to FDA labeling requirements and do not need a Certificate of Label Approval.

For an apple wine that is derived wholly from apples (with the exception of sugar, water and added alcohol) the terms “apple wine” or “cider” may be used as the class/type designation of the finished product. The term “apple cider” may also be used. If the finished wine is sparkling, the word sparkling must be used in the class/type statement such as “sparkling apple wine” or “sparkling cider”.

For more information on cider please go here: http://www.ttb.gov/faqs/alcohol_faqs.shtml?Cider#Cider

Does WineAmerica work with other alcohol industry groups in Washington, DC?

WineAmerica works with many other alcohol commodity groups on a wide variety of issues. We regularly work with the Wine Institute, the Brewers Association, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the Beer Institute and others. We are stronger in our messaging when we work in a coalition with other commodities. We do differ in our views on some issues, but we work well with the other groups on a consistent basis.