Ingredient-Less Labels are Dead (well, almost)

Major TTB regulation changes are on the horizon and they could drastically change the game of beverage alcohol labeling 🍷🏷️

The EU has required ingredient labeling for some time now (accepting QR codes, hooray!), but this is new for U.S. regulations. While producers like Ridge are renowned for providing this clarity to consumers on their labels, for most, this new legislation that will completely reshape the way we label our wines to sell in this country.

You may ask - why is this happening?

Because consumers are demanding transparency. From ingredient listing to nutrition information and allergen disclosure, wine drinkers are asking for more information about the alcoholic beverages they’re consuming.

Now, you might be asking, 'What does an ingredient even mean when we're talking about wine?' Good question! Are we talking just about grapes, yeast, sugar, and sulfites? Or are we also including fining or filtering agents that might not be detectable in the final product? It's still uncertain and not clearly defined by the regulatory parties.

The best source of information I’ve found to date is this writeup from Michael Kaiser, Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Wine America. He comments on the fact that much is still unknown, and Wine America is following it closely. Do you know of other great sources to follow with timely updates on these regulations? I’d love to know!

Here’s the thing, though. We, at InnoVint, understand the importance of traceability. We always have. Pulling current and historical composition information on any given lot is critical to understand so much about a wine’s DNA. And not just grape-specific composition, but additive composition as well. What actually ended up in your final products? With stringent regulations like these, you need a source of truth. That’s what InnoVint’s for.

While many of us may be resistant to this direction, like it or not, these changes are coming. It's time to prepare and stay ahead, and that's exactly what we're doing at InnoVint. We're constantly evolving with the changes to ensure that winemakers have the best possible resources to navigate these waters.

If you are in the industry, how are you preparing now for these upcoming changes?