wine

I most definitely did not see this one coming. I can imagine a lot of oddball combinations, but I would not have expected anyone to combine red wine and coffee.

The news of this product just came in a few minutes ago via Wine & Spirits Daily. Though the combination does not sound like the best, to me, I wouldn’t mind trying it, especially since the graphic design is so nice. The wine aspects are very much downplayed, on the main display panel. The UPC-side label makes it clear that the product is RED WINE INFUSED WITH COLD BREW COFFEE. E. & J. Gallo’s approval for this wine is here.

Gallo’s press release says the product is rolling out April 1st, and it’s no joke; Apothic’s winemaker said:

Last year during the long hours of harvest, I joined the cold brew craze myself. … Quickly, I realized that many of the characteristics in cold brew coffee and red wine naturally complement each other. This led us to experiment with a few blends, eventually leading to the seamless creation of Apothic Brew, which brings together red fruit notes and subtle mocha essences of cold brew.

This deftly navigates the differences between FDA and TTB rules. If it had a little more alcohol, or a different type of alcohol, at least these 5 noted things probably would not fly.

1. So far as we know, TTB does not allow electrolyte references on alcohol beverage labels.
2. Nor does TTB allow vitamin references.
3. From time to time in the past TTB has frowned upon prominent refresh claims on the grounds that they may imply therapeutic value.
4. As of this writing it does not appear that TTB is ok with GMO claims.
5. Finally, I would bet money against TTB allowing this term (nutritious).

All these claims are possible, and not suicidal, because the product is wine based, and under 7% alc./vol., such that FDA has full control over the labeling, while TTB retains control of the taxation and formula. The front label mentions that it’s a wine specialty, as here.

If this were 7% or more, TTB would probably require something a lot more descriptive than “Wine Specialty,” and would not allow this 12 ounce size, and would also require ABV to be spelled out. The product is Coco Cocktail, and there is no TTB label approval to which to point.

At USBevX a few days ago I heard lots of questions about various wines aged in Bourbon barrels. But I did not hear lots of answers so I thought I would take a look and see what’s going on. This Fetzer example, above, seems like a good place to start.

It tends to show that it is okay to mention Bourbon on a vintage- and varietal-designated wine. I am a little surprised I don’t see any reference to a formula approval, or to the amount of aging in said barrel. This Fetzer label is also noteworthy because it quickly drew the ire of the big Buffalo, as in Buffalo Trace; Sazerac charged at Fetzer for attempting to graze on land staked out long ago by the whiskey company. This really good article discusses the trademark dispute, about 1/3 of the way down the page.

I see about 64 wine labels with reference to Bourbon as approved by TTB during the past five years. Another representative one, from another big company, is this Robert Mondavi approval. I don’t really see any comparable labels, in the prior five year period. From these two examples, and a bit of asking around, it sounds like the reference to Bourbon should not appear on the same...