TTB is still very strict about things like an age reference on the front label of a wine (requiring how long it was aged and in what). But these labels show, about as well as anything, that TTB has eased up substantially in other areas. In the 21 years before 2001, we find not one BITCH approval. By contrast, in the 7 years since 2001, we find not less than 65 BITCH approvals. We don’t see any great need for the government to banish this term, on adult beverages, but we do wonder why it’s so prevalent. There is Sexy Bitch above, Royal Bitch, Tasty Bitch, and there are many others. Where is the wine relating to cranky men?
Archives for November 2008
Wine Without Pretense
Most wines play up their fine pedigree. A few cut in the other direction and proclaim their normality. Pretense wine, bottled in Napa, does the latter with dramatic visual flair. The common paper bag looks surprisingly good and fresh here. Pas Mal Syrah is another example of this trend. It is a Santa Barbara County Syrah and “Pas Mal” is French for “not bad.” The back label unabashedly says “French critics agree, Pas Mal is not bad. ‘I would cook with this.'” Let us know of other unabashedly self-deprecating alcohol beverages.
FDA Cider, Apples and Nutrition Facts
This French Apple Cider provides a small taste of what is coming soon. It is our understanding that TTB has no plans to require or encourage ingredient labeling, such as that on the back label here. But TTB does have big plans to require Serving Facts Labeling (similar to this Nutrition Facts labeling) someday very soon. It’s a big, important change. There is a lot of data on this back label; much of it will be required in a few years and almost none of it would have been required 20 years ago. The Government Warning arrived 20 years ago and redemption labeling (as well as the UPC) started appearing a few decades ago. This COLA is unusual because FDA (not TTB) typically has authority over wines under 7% alc./vol. (such as this cider). But here the importer noted (at box 19) “submitting for review of health warning.” TTB retains control over the Warning and the wine tax, even in those instances where general labeling jurisdiction shifts over to FDA. Some time after approval, TTB apparently decided to hand this back to FDA, as the current status of this approval is “surrendered.”
Pink Triangles, Beer, a Bottle of Pride
We thought this was a good example of target marketing, as opposed to a product like Budweiser that targets a far larger percentage of all alcohol beverage consumers. Pryde Vodka displays the historically significant pink triangle. Gay Pride beer was brewed in New Hampshire as of this 1999 approval. The third image is from a 2004 approval for Pride Lager made in California. There is very little sign, on the internet, that any of these brands are alive and well.
PimpnHo: Almond Flavored Wine
For all those occasions when Cisco or Schlitz Malt Liquor is far too classy, may we heartily recommend this fine almond flavored wine? Even if this is not a big seller in the US, this page vaguely suggests that this winery makes a similar product for export.
Whey Neutral Spirits
There is a lot going on with this label. First and most obviously, it’s in the style of a cream liqueur, but it’s classified as a wine. The back label is in the style of a front label. And it’s made with whey neutral spirits. Wikipedia says whey is “the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained; it is a by-product of the manufacture of cheese or casein.” It is further evidence that wine and spirits can be made from a huge number of commodities. Dr. John Murtagh was an expert on converting whey into spirits:
Since 1979 John has been retained as a consultant to Carbery Distillers Ltd. of Ireland, on the development and operation of their process for the fermentation of cheese whey, to produce very-high-quality neutral spirit for beverage and industrial uses. He has also been responsible for the commissioning of three whey-alcohol plants for Carbery licensees in New Zealand and the U.S., and continues to visit and assist these plants.