Grape Variety Names for American Wines

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is issuing a final rule containing a list of approved prime grape variety names which may be used as the designation for American wines. This rule contains two other lists of alternative names which may be used as grape wine designations until January 1, 1997, or January 1, 1999. This rule also contains a procedure by which interested persons may petition the Director for the addition of names to the list of prime grape names. ATF believes the listing of approved names of grape varieties for American wines will help standardize wine label terminology and prevent consumer confusion by reducing the large number of synonyms for grape varieties currently used for labeling American wines.