base. Examples of such words are: "Manhattan," "Martini," and "Daquiri" in a class and type designation or brand name of a wine cocktail; "Cuba Libre," "Zombie," and "Collins" in a class and type designation or brand name of a wine specialty or wine highball; "creme," "cream," "de," or "of" when used in conjunction with "menthe," "mint," or "cacao" in a class and type designation or a brand name of a mint or chocolate flavored wine specialty.

(b) Statement of age. No statement of age or representation relative to age (including words or devices in any brand name or mark) shall be made, except (1) for vintage wine, in accordance with the provisions of §4.27; (2) references relating to methods of wine production involving storage or aging in accordance with §4.38(f); or (3) use of the word "old" as part of a brand

name.

(c) Statement of bottling dates. The statement of any bottling date shall not be deemed to be a representation relative to age, if such statement appears in lettering not greater than 8point Gothic caps and in the following form: "Bottled in (inserting the year in which the wine was bottled).

(d) Statement of miscellaneous dates. No date, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section with respect to statement of vintage year and bottling date, shall be stated on any label unless in addition thereto and in direct conjunction therewith in the same size and kind of printing, there shall be stated an explanation of the significance thereof such as "established" or "founded in". If any such date refers to the date of establishment of any business or brand name, it shall not be stated, in the case of containers of a capacity of 5 liters or less, in any script, type, or printing larger than 2 millimeters, and shall be stated in direct conjunction with the name of the person, company, or brand name to which it refers if the appropriate ATF officer finds that this is necessary in order to prevent confusion as to the person, company, or brand name to which the establishment date is applicable.

(e) Simulation of Government stamps. (1) No labels shall be of such design as

to resemble or simulate a stamp of the United States Government or any State or foreign government. No label, other than stamps authorized or required by the United States Government or any State or foreign government, shall state or indicate that the wine contained in the labeled container is produced, blended, bottled, packed, or sold under, or in accordance with, any municipal, State or Federal Government authorization, law, or regulation, unless such statement is required or specifically authorized by Federal, State or municipal law or regulation, or is required or specifically authorized by the laws or regulations of a foreign country. If the municipal, State, or Federal Government permit number is stated upon a label, it shall not be accompanied by any additional statement relating thereto.

(2) Bonded wine cellar and bonded winery numbers may be stated but only in direct conjunction with the name and address of the person operating such wine cellar or winery. Statement of bonded wine cellar or winery numbers may be made in the following form: "Bonded Wine Cellar No. ", "Bonded Winery No. "B. W. C. No. ", "B. W. No. No additional reference thereto shall be made, nor shall any use be made of such statement that may convey the impression that the wine has been made or matured under Government supervision or in accordance with Government specifications or standards.

except

(3) If imported wines are covered by a certificate of origin and/or a certificate of vintage date issued by a duly authorized official of the appropriate foreign government, the label, where prohibited by the foreign government, may refer to such certificate or the fact of such certification, but shall not be accompanied by any additional statements relating thereto. The reference to such certificate or certification shall be substantially in the following form:

This product accompanied at the time of the importation by a certificate issued by the

(Name of government)

government indicating that the product is

(Class and type as stated on the label) and (if label bears a statement of vintage date) that the wine is of the vintage of

(Year of vintage stated on the label)

(f) Use of the word “Importer”, or similar words. The word Importer, or similar words, shall not be stated on labels on containers of domestic wine except as part of the bona fide name of a permittee for or by whom, or of a retailer for whom, such wine is bottled, packed or distributed: Provided, That in all cases where such words are used as part of such name, there shall be stated on the same label the words "Product of the United States", or similar words to negative any impression that the product is imported, and such negative statement shall appear in the same size and kind of printing as such name.

(g) Flags, seals, coats of arms, crests, and other insignia. Labels shall not contain, in the brand name or otherwise, any statement, design, device, or pictorial representation which the appropriate ATF officer finds relates to, or is capable of being construed as relating to, the armed forces of the United States, or the American flag, or any emblem, seal, insignia, or decoration associated with such flag or armed forces; nor shall any label contain any statement, design, device, or pictorial representation of or concerning any flag, seal, coat of arms, crest or other insignia, likely to mislead the consumer to believe that the product has been endorsed, made, or used by, or produced for, or under the supervision of, or in accordance with the specifications of the government, organization, family, or individual with whom such flag, seal, coat of arms, crest, or insignia is associated.

(h) Curative and therapeutic claims. Labels shall not contain any statement, design, representation, pictorial representation, or device representing that the use of wine has curative or therapeutic effects if such statement is untrue in any particular or tends to create a misleading impression.

(i) Geographic brand names. (1) Except as provided in subparagraph 2, a brand name of viticultural significance may

not be used unless the wine meets the appellation of origin requirements for the geographic area named.

(2) For brand names used in existing certificates of label approval issued prior to July 7, 1986:

(i) The wine shall meet the appellation of origin requirements for the geographic area named; or

(ii) The wine shall be labeled with an appellation of origin in accordance with §4.34(b) as to location and size of type of either:

(A) A county or a viticultural area, if the brand name bears the name of a geographic area smaller than a state, or;

(B) A state, county or a viticultural area, if the brand name bears a state name; or

(iii) The wine shall be labeled with some other statement which the appropriate ATF officer finds to be sufficient to dispel the impression that the geographic area suggested by the brand name is indicative of the origin of the wine.

(3) A name has viticultural significance when it is the name of a state or county (or the foreign equivalents), when approved as a viticultural area in part 9 of this chapter, or by a foreign government, or when found to have viticultural significance by the appropriate ATF officer.

(j) Product names of geographical significance (not mandatory before January 1, 1983). The use of product names with specific geographical significance is prohibited unless the appropriate ATF officer finds that because of their long usage, such names are recognized by consumers as fanciful product names and not representations as to origin. In such cases the product names shall be qualified with the word "brand" immediately following the product name, in the same size of type, and as conspicuous as the product name itself. In addition, the label shall bear an appellation of origin under the provisions of §4.34(b), and, if required by the appropriate ATF officer, a statement disclaiming the geographical reference as a representation as to the origin of the wine.

(k) Other indications of origin. Other statements, designs, devices or representations which indicate or infer an

origin other than the true place of origin of the wine are prohibited.

(1) Foreign terms. Foreign terms which: (1) Describe a particular condition of the grapes at the time of harvest (such as 'Auslese," "Eiswein," and "Trockenbeerenauslese"); or (2) denote quality under foreign law (such as "Qualitatswein" and "Kabinett") may not be used on the labels of American wine.

(m) Use of a vineyard, orchard, farm or ranch name. When used in a brand name, a vineyard, orchard, farm or ranch name having geographical or viticultural significance is subject to the requirements of §§ 4.33(b) and 4.39(i) of this part. Additionally, the name of a vineyard, orchard, farm or ranch shall not be used on a wine label, unless 95 percent of the wine in the container was produced from primary winemaking material grown on the named vineyard, orchard, farm or ranch.

(n) Use of a varietal name, type designation of varietal significance, semi-generic name, or geographic distinctive designation. Labels that contain in the brand name, product name, or distinctive or fanciful name, any varietal (grape type) designation, type designation of varietal significance, semi-generic geographic type designation, or geographic distinctive designation, are misleading unless the wine is made in accordance with the standards prescribed in classes 1, 2, or 3 of §4.21. Any other use of such a designation on other than a class 1, 2, or 3 wine is presumed misleading.

[T.D. 6521, 25 FR 13841, Dec. 29, 1960, as amended by T.D. ATF-53, 43 FR 37678, Aug. 23, 1978; T.D. ATF-94, 46 FR 55095, Nov. 6, 1981; T.D. ATF-126, 48 FR 2764, Jan. 21, 1983; T.D. ATF-180, 49 FR 31671, Aug. 8, 1984; T.D. ATF-229, 51 FR 20482, June 5, 1986; 51 FR 21547, June 13, 1986; T.D. ATF-355, 59 FR 14553, Mar. 29, 1994; T.D. ATF-431, 65 FR 59724, Oct. 6, 2000]

Subpart E-Requirements for Withdrawal of Wine From Customs Custody

§ 4.40 Label approval and release.

(a) Certificate of label approval. No imported beverage wine in containers shall be released from U.S. Customs

custody for consumption unless there is deposited with the appropriate Customs officer at the port of entry the original or a photostatic copy of an approved certificate of label approval, ATF Form 5100.31.

(b) If the original or photostatic copy of ATF Form 5100.31 has been approved, the brand or lot of imported wine bearing labels identical with those shown thereon may be released from U.S. Customs custody.

(c) Relabeling. Imported wine in U.S. Customs custody which is not labeled in conformity with certificates of label approval issued by the appropriate ATF officer must be relabeled prior to release under the supervision and direction of Customs officers of the port at which the wine is located.

(d) Cross reference. For procedures regarding the issuance, denial, and revocation of certificates of label approval, as well as appeal procedures, see part 13 of this chapter.

[T.D. ATF-66, 45 FR 40546, June 13, 1980, as amended by T.D. ATF-94, 46 FR 55095, Nov. 6, 1981; T.D. ATF-242, 51 FR 39525, Oct. 29, 1986; T.D. ATF-359, 59 FR 42160, Aug. 17, 1994; T.D. ATF-406, 64 FR 2128, Jan. 13, 1999]

$4.45 Certificates of origin and identity.

Imported wine shall not be released from customs custody for consumption unless the invoice is accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by a duly authorized official of the appropriate foreign government, if the issuance of such certificates with respect to such wine has been authorized by the foreign government concerned, certifying as to the identity of the wine and that the wine has been produced in compliance with the laws of the respective foreign government regulating the production of such wine for home consumption.

$4.46 Certificate of nonstandard fill.

A person may import wine in containers not conforming to the metric standards of fill prescribed at §4.73 if the wine is:

(a) Accompanied by a statement signed by a duly authorized official of the appropriate foreign country, stating that the wine was bottled or packed before January 1, 1979;

(b) Being withdrawn from a Customs bonded warehouse into which it was entered before January 1, 1979; or

(c) Exempt from the standard of fill requirements as provided by §4.70(b)(1) or (2).

[T.D. ATF-76, 46 FR 1727, Jan. 7, 1981]

Subpart F-Requirements for Approval of Labels of Wine Domestically Bottled or Packed

§4.50 Certificates of label approval.

or

(a) No person shall bottle or pack wine, other than wine bottled packed in U.S. Customs custody, or remove such wine from the plant where bottled or packed, unless an approved certificate of label approval, ATF Form 5100.31, is issued by the appropriate ATF officer.

(b) Any bottler or packer of wine shall be exempt from the requirements of this section if upon application the bottler or packer shows to the satisfaction of the appropriate ATF officer that the wine to be bottled or packed is not to be sold, offered for sale, or shipped or delivered for shipment, or otherwise introduced in interstate or foreign commerce. Application for exemption shall be made on ATF Form 5100.31 in accordance with instructions on the form. If the application is approved, a certificate of exemption will be issued on the same form.

(c) Cross reference. For procedures regarding the issuance, denial, and revocation of certificates of label approval, and certificates of exemption from label approval, as well as appeal procedures, see part 13 of this chapter. [T.D. ATF-66, 45 FR 40546, June 13, 1980, as amended by T.D. ATF-94, 46 FR 55095, Nov. 6, 1981; T.D. ATF-242, 51 FR 39525, Oct. 29, 1986; T.D. ATF-344, 58 FR 40354, July 28, 1993; T.D. ATF-406, 64 FR 2128, Jan. 13, 1999; T.D. ATF425, 65 FR 11891, Mar. 7, 2000]

§4.51 Exhibiting certificates to Government officials.

Any bottler or packer holding an original or duplicate original of a certificate of label approval or a certificate of exemption shall, upon demand, exhibit such certificate to a duly authorized representative of the United States Government.

$4.52 Photoprints.

Photoprints or other reproductions of certificates of label approval or certificates of exemption are not acceptable, for the purposes of §§ 4.50 through 4.52, as substitutes for an original or duplicate original of a certificate of label approval, or a certificate of exemption. The appropriate ATF officer will, upon the request of the bottler or packer, issue duplicate originals of certificates of label approval or of certificates of exemption if wine under the same brand is bottled or packed at more than one plant by the same person, and if the necessity for the duplicate originals is shown and there is listed with the appropriate ATF officer the name and address of the additional bottling or packing plant where the particular label is to be used.

Subpart G-Advertising of Wine $4.60 Application.

No person engaged in the business as a producer, rectifier, blender, importer, or wholesaler of wine, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, shall publish or disseminate or cause to be published or disseminated by radio or television broadcast, or in any newspaper, periodical, or any publication, by any sign or outdoor advertisement, or any other printed or graphic matter, any advertisement of wine, if such advertising is in, or is calculated to induce sale in, interstate or foreign commerce, or is disseminated by mail, unless such advertisement is in conformity with §§ 4.60-4.65 of this part. Provided, that such sections shall not apply to outdoor advertising in place on September 7, 1984, but shall apply upon replacement, restoration, or renovation of any such advertising; and provided further, that such sections shall not apply to a retailer or the publisher of any newspaper, periodical, or other publication, or radio or television broadcast, unless such retailer or publisher or radio or television broadcaster is engaged in business as a producer, rectifier, blender, importer, or wholesaler of wine, directly or indirectly, or through an affiliate.

[T.D. ATF-180, 49 FR 31672, Aug. 8, 1984]

§4.61 Definitions.

As used in §§4.60 through 4.65 of this part, the term advertisement includes any written or verbal statement, illustration, or depiction which is in, or calculated to induce sales in, interstate or foreign commerce, or is disseminated by mail, whether it appears in a newspaper, magazine, trade booklet, menu, wine card, leaflet, circular, mailer, book insert, catalog, promotional material, sales pamphlet, or any written, printed, graphic, or other matter accompanying the container, representations made on cases, billboard, sign, or othe outdoor display, public transit card, other periodical literature, publication, or in a radio or television broadcast, or in any other media; except that such term shall not include:

(a) Any label affixed to any container of wine, or any individual covering, carton, or other wrapper of such container which constitute a part of the labeling under provisions of §§4.30-4.39 of this part.

(b) Any editorial or other reading material (i.e., news release) in any periodical or publication or newspaper for the publication of which no money or valuable consideration is paid or promised, directly or indirectly, by any permittee, and which is not written by or at the direction of the permittee. [T.D. ATF-180, 49 FR 31672, Aug. 8, 1984]

$4.62 Mandatory statements.

(a) Responsible advertiser. The advertisement shall state the name and address of the permittee responsible for its publication or broadcast. Street number and name may be omitted in the address.

(b) Class, type, and distinctive designation. The advertisement shall contain a conspicuous statement of the class, type, or distinctive designation to which the product belongs, corresponding with the statement of class, type, or distinctive designation which is required to appear on the label of the product.

(c) Exception. (1) If an advertisement refers to a general wine line or all of the wine products of one company, whether by the company name or by the brand name common to all the wine in the line, the only mandatory

information necessary is the name and address of the responsible advertiser. This exception does not apply where only one type of wine is marketed under the specific brand name advertised.

(2) On consumer specialty items, the only information necessary is the company name or brand name of the product.

[T.D. 6521, 25 FR 13835, Dec. 29, 1960, as amended by T.D. ATF-180, 49 FR 31672, Aug. 8, 1984]

$4.63 Legibility of mandatory information.

(a) Statements required under §§ 4.60 through 4.65 of this part to appear in any written, printed, or graphic advertisement shall be in lettering or type size sufficient to be conspicuous and readily legible.

(b) In the case of signs, billboards, and displays the name and address of the permittee responsible for the advertisement may appear in type size of lettering smaller than the other mandatory information, provided such information can be ascertained upon closer examination of the sign or billboard.

(c) Mandatory information shall be so stated as to be clearly a part of the advertisement and shall not be separated in any manner from the remainder of the advertisement.

(d) Mandatory information for two or more products shall not be stated unless clearly separated.

(e) Mandatory information shall be so stated in both the print and audiovisual media that it will be readily apparent to the persons viewing the advertisement.

[T.D. ATF-180, 49 FR 31672, Aug. 8, 1984] §4.64 Prohibited practices.

(a) Restrictions. The advertisement of wine shall not contain:

(1) Any statement that is false or untrue in any material particular, or that, irrespective of falsity, directly, or by ambiguity, omission, or inference, or by the addition of irrelevant, scientific or technical matter tends to create a misleading impression.

(2) Any statement that is disparaging of a competitor's products.