Coming Soon: The Champlain Valley of New York Viticultural Area

It’s official: New York State will welcome its tenth American viticultural area (“AVA”) into existence on September 21, 2016! On August 22, 2016, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) published a final rule establishing the Champlain Valley of New York Viticultural Area. This approximately 500-square-mile area in upstate New York is distinguished by its cold climate and short growing season, which are too harsh for most Vitis vinifera varieties but well suited to North American hybrids. The TTB rule takes effect on September 21.

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Sta. Rita Hills AVA Expansion

On Monday, August 22, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published a final rule expanding the Sta. Rita Hills viticultural area.[1] This long-awaited decision, which will take effect September 21, 2016, will add approximately 2,296 acres to the 33,380-acre region located in Santa Barbara County, California. The 2,296-acre expansion area contains three vineyards, two of which were already partially within the original boundaries of the Sta. Rita Hills viticultural area. Beginning September 21, wines produced by these vineyards will be authorized to bear the Sta. Rita Hills name on their labels.

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Private Collection Wine Sales Safe. . . For Now

Last fall, the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) caused a stir in the fine wine market when it proposed to limit the sale of private collection wines. In a draft advisory intended “to provide guidance to manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of wine or liquor with respect to proper purchase and sale of private collection wines and liquors,” NYSLA set forth a narrow and perplexing definition of “private collection wine.” This definition would have reduced the amount of wine that could be sold without a license. Now, the Authority has backed away from its plan to rein in these transactions.

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Côtes du Rhône Ad Campaign Deflated by Paris Appeals Court?

Côtes du Rhône Ad Campaign Deflated by Paris Appeals Court?

On May 27, the Paris Court of Appeals ordered the immediate cessation of an advertising campaign commissioned by Inter Rhône. The court reasoned that the now famous ad, which depicts a man in a suit being lifted above a dreary city by a red balloon, clearly “suggests that the consumption of Côtes du Rhône alcohol allows one to escape the difficulties of everyday life,” and that this messaging can lead to abuse of alcohol in order to attain the state of happiness depicted in the image. The fine for display of the ad is €5,000 per day per infraction starting May 27.

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