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Feedback
Against the grain
Kudos to Tim Patterson for an excellent article on American Oak, "Still Second Rate?" in the February issue. It was very refreshing to read a balanced, well- informed article on AO in the wine press. I'm sure Gary Eberle, Paul Draper and the others mentioned in the piece would love to get their hands on the wine writer who said that American oak had "no place in fine winemaking." Give me a break!
Anyway, just a quick note and keep up the good work. I know it takes some guts to go against the grain (no pun intended) in our industry sometimes.
Chris Pisani
Winemaker
ZD Wines
Napa, Calif.
Applause for lawmakers
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a non-profit trade association comprised of over 300 Napa Valley wineries, applauds Senator Pat Wiggins, Assemblymember Noreen Evans and the California Legislature for their continued advocacy of truth in labeling rights of wine consumers and their ongoing support of the California wine industry.
Senate Joint Resolution 22 (SJR 22), introduced before the State Senate by Sen. Wiggins (in February), advocates withdrawal of U.S. Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Proposed Rules No. 77 and No. 78.
The cumulative effect of the TTB's proposed changes will be an increase in deceptive labeling and consumer confusion. Consumers understand the stratification of AVAs and the importance of place, and need to be able to trust in the truth in wine labeling. The rules proposed by the TTB would not only allow for Calistoga Cellars to continue to produce non-Calistoga wines under the umbrella of the greater Calistoga monicker, it would also set forth precedent for other brands to exploit the loophole and do the same nationwide.
NVV believes that the regulations enacted by TTB's predecessor (BATF) in 1986, after significant industry and governmental debate, already provide TTB the necessary authority to protect consumers through the regulation of American Viticultural Areas and geographical wine brands, without the need for further changes to rulemaking procedure.
The TTB's proposed rules would greatly devalue the consistent, clear and truthful labeling which consumers (currently) rely on when purchasing wine. The TTB notices would also place U.S. wines in a position of competitive disadvantage globally, and would be at odds with U.S. trade policies.
The NVV expresses its gratitude to Senator Wiggins and Assemblymember Evans for their help in objecting to bad policy and fighting for the wine industry and wine consumers.
Patrick L. Stotesbery
President, Board of Directors
Napa Valley Vintners
Kudos to Tim Patterson for an excellent article on American Oak, "Still Second Rate?" in the February issue. It was very refreshing to read a balanced, well- informed article on AO in the wine press. I'm sure Gary Eberle, Paul Draper and the others mentioned in the piece would love to get their hands on the wine writer who said that American oak had "no place in fine winemaking." Give me a break!
Anyway, just a quick note and keep up the good work. I know it takes some guts to go against the grain (no pun intended) in our industry sometimes.
Chris Pisani
Winemaker
ZD Wines
Napa, Calif.
Applause for lawmakers
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a non-profit trade association comprised of over 300 Napa Valley wineries, applauds Senator Pat Wiggins, Assemblymember Noreen Evans and the California Legislature for their continued advocacy of truth in labeling rights of wine consumers and their ongoing support of the California wine industry.
Senate Joint Resolution 22 (SJR 22), introduced before the State Senate by Sen. Wiggins (in February), advocates withdrawal of U.S. Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Proposed Rules No. 77 and No. 78.
The cumulative effect of the TTB's proposed changes will be an increase in deceptive labeling and consumer confusion. Consumers understand the stratification of AVAs and the importance of place, and need to be able to trust in the truth in wine labeling. The rules proposed by the TTB would not only allow for Calistoga Cellars to continue to produce non-Calistoga wines under the umbrella of the greater Calistoga monicker, it would also set forth precedent for other brands to exploit the loophole and do the same nationwide.
NVV believes that the regulations enacted by TTB's predecessor (BATF) in 1986, after significant industry and governmental debate, already provide TTB the necessary authority to protect consumers through the regulation of American Viticultural Areas and geographical wine brands, without the need for further changes to rulemaking procedure.
The TTB's proposed rules would greatly devalue the consistent, clear and truthful labeling which consumers (currently) rely on when purchasing wine. The TTB notices would also place U.S. wines in a position of competitive disadvantage globally, and would be at odds with U.S. trade policies.
The NVV expresses its gratitude to Senator Wiggins and Assemblymember Evans for their help in objecting to bad policy and fighting for the wine industry and wine consumers.
Patrick L. Stotesbery
President, Board of Directors
Napa Valley Vintners
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