| The number of wineries in the US has grown | | | | terms/text that though not required to appear |
| dramatically in just the past decade. There are | | | | must meet regulatory requirements if they are |
| currently over 6,500 wineries in the US a number | | | | used. |
| that grew by almost 40% since 2005. This is | | | | For example if you pick up a bottle of wine and |
| good news and bad news to wine consumers. | | | | the label lists on the front a handful of items such |
| They are blessed and cursed so to speak with an | | | | as a: brand, vintage, varietal, appellation, alcohol, |
| extremely wide selection of options to choose | | | | and vineyard name only 3 of these are actually |
| from in their purchase decisions. So many | | | | required to appear. However each of these items |
| wonderful wines to choose from, how to make | | | | has very specific requirements for their use. They |
| an informed decision? For any wine consumer one | | | | must each meet minimum size requirements, or |
| of the easiest ways to "take a peek" inside the | | | | minimum percentage requirements for example. |
| bottle is by knowing how to read what is on the | | | | On the other hand when viewing a wine label that |
| outside of it. | | | | is only limited to a brand, alcohol and "type" name |
| All wines that are bottled for sale in the US are | | | | such as "red wine" then in this case the consumer |
| required to be labeled with certain items. The | | | | is also limited in the details they can then know |
| wineries as an industry are regulated by the | | | | about the wine. |
| federal agency now known as the TTB. This is | | | | Any wine consumer can easily become familiar |
| what was formerly the BATF. In 2002 the "F", or | | | | with even just a few wine label items and what |
| firearms was split off from the "A" & "T", alcohol | | | | their definitions are and as a result dramatically |
| & tobacco. So now the agency is called the | | | | transform not just their wine shopping |
| Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau. (TTB | | | | experiences but all of their wine tasting |
| for short) As part of their responsibilties they | | | | interactions as well. Wine labels truly tell a story |
| regulate essentially every item we are | | | | about the product inside the bottle. Wine |
| accustomed to viewing on wine labels. There is a | | | | appreciators can quickly and easily become |
| set of required items that all wines must display, | | | | educated consumers. |
| and there are also many other commonly used | | | | |