The Wall Street Journal law blog recently published an interesting article titled, EU Court: Don’t Call Wine “Easily Digestible,” discussing a court case decided by the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”). At issue was whether the German winemakers’ cooperative, Deutsches Weintor, can label its wines with a claim that the wine…
What Changes are Allowed on an Approved Wine Label Without Obtaining a New Certificate of Label Approval (COLA)?
The TTB recently posted some very helpful guidelines pertaining to approved wine labels and changing approved wine labels without obtaining additional approval from the TTB. For a wine to be sold legally in the United States, the label must be pre-approved by the TTB through a process called Certificate of…
Summer Updates in the Wine Law Field
As summer passes by, there are several noteworthy updates with respect to wine law. These updates cover upcoming and prior events, relating mostly to the academic side of wine and its intersection with the law. It is wonderful to see the variety of events and the opportunities to learn and…
The Wine Law Pathway Post-Law School Graduation
I so rarely write personal updates for On Reserve, but in light of recent developments, I am eager to share my current accomplishments and future pathway with all of you. I often receive e-mails from other students asking me for advice with respect to following a career in wine and…
Indian Wine and Wine Legislation: A Future Development?
A few months ago, I came across an article posted by the Indian Wine Academy that I thought to be particularly interesting. The article, The Growing Need for Wine Laws in India, attracted me because I so rarely come across research on India and wine law. In fact, I can…
TTB Proposes the Establishment of the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley Viticultural Area
What is the proposal for establishing the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA? On May 8, 2012, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) announced a proposal for establishing an American Viticultural Area (“AVA”) for the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley in Douglas, Grant, and Kittitas Counties in central Washington. The notice…
Additional Update from the TTB on Labeling Disclosure for Cochineal Extract and Carmine on Alcohol Labels
TTB recently announced, in final rule T.D. TTB-103, it is amending labeling regulations to require the listing of cochineal extract and carmine on the label of any alcohol beverage that contains one or both of the color additives. According to the final rule, “[t]his rule responds to a final rule issued by the Food…
Upcoming CLE International Conferences on Alcohol Beverage Law
Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) International is hosting two upcoming conferences on alcohol beverage law. The first, which is the Alcohol Beverage Law & Technology Conference, will be held in San Francisco, CA on May 11, 2012 and is co-chaired by James M. Seff, Esq. of Pillsbury Law and Marc E. Sorini, Esq. of…
Labeling Updates from the TTB for United States Alcohol Beverage Products
Several updates from the TTB recently developed with respect to the alcohol beverage industry. These updates are noted below. New Certificate of Origin Requirement for Exporting U.S. Alcohol Beverage Products to Korea: The recent trade agreement between the United States and Korea, along with its provisions, are particularly relevant for…
Additional Transnational Wine Trade Agreements
In the past, with respect to transnational wine trade agreements, many of On Reserve’s entries discuss the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (“TRIPS”), the Agreement Between the European Community and the United States of American on Trade in Wine, and the Agreement Between the European Community and…