Changing Regulations On Vintage Wine

Wine Spectator has an interesting opinion piece by Anthony Terlato of the Terlato Wine Group. He has come out in opposition of the proposed change to the vintage-dating regulations for American wines that would allow a reduction from 95 percent to 85 percent of "in vintage" wine. Terlato feels that standards should not be reduced and that the integrity of wines should be protected.  In the original petition the Wine Institute, a trade association of California wineries, has said that wines should be labeled  with a state, multistate, county, or multicounty  appellation of origin (or the foreign equivalent of a State or county)  and bear a vintage date if at least 85 percent of the wine is derived from grapes harvested in the labeled calendar year. The Wine Institute proposes to retain the 95 percent requirement for an "American viticultural area (or its foreign equivalent) as an appellation of origin" to protect some wines in particular growing region. They also say that the 95 percent rule is unusually high when compared to the vintage date requirements of other countries (such as Australia, New Zealand, South African and Chile).  Terlato argues that the double standard rule will be confusing to consumers who aren't accustomed to making the distinction betwee Napa Valley (a viticultural area) and Napa County (a region). He sees the proposal as an effort to make more "good vintages" by adding less-prized wines.