Contributor\u2019s Panel - Rachel Triggs

Wine labels are more than just a marketing tool. Behind the clever and colourful designs, wine labels are governed by a number of different Australian Federal and State legislative instruments that mandate certain items to protect consumers and the reputation of the wine sector.

With the 2019 vintage starting to wrap up around the country and as winemakers turn their attention to the blending and bottling of new release wines, it’s a perfect time to take a look at the rules around three main wine label items: vintage, region and variety.

These three items are not mandated as a required item on a wine label. However, if it is listed on the label, Australian regulations for Australian wine require that it must comprise at least 85 per cent of fruit under each item that is ‘claimed’.

The three categories are defined as:

• Vintage: the year that the grapes were harvested

• Variety: the official, permitted name or synonym for the grape variety used within the wine, and

• Region: the official geographic indication (GI) from where the grapes originated. GIs have specific boundaries as they suggest a particular quality, reputation or characteristic of the wine is attributable.

These three items come with their own rules for blending and if a wine is claimed to be made from multiple vintages, varieties or regions (GIs), each vintage, varietal and region must be listed in descending order.

MULTIPLE VINTAGES

If a wine claims multiple vintages, the total amount claimed must add up to 100 per cent. If the blend comprises more than 85 per cent from a certain year, that year can be claimed but if the largest percentage is under 85 per cent each component must be listed. So, if a wine is 88 per cent from the 2012 vintage, 2012 can be claimed. If a wine is 83 per cent from 2012, 16 per cent from 2014 and 1 per cent from 2017, then the wine is required to specify the presence of all vintages – even the 2017.

MULTIPLE VARIETIES

A wine can’t leave a variety off a label unless all the varieties that appear in greater proportions are listed on that label. So, if a wine is 70 per cent Semillon, 20 per cent Chardonnay and 10 per cent Sauvignon Blanc, this cannot be labelled ‘Semillon Sauvignon Blanc’. The wine would either need to be labelled as ‘Semillon Chardonnay’ or ‘Semillon Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc’. Additionally, the wine cannot be labelled as just ‘Semillon’, because less than 85 per cent of the blend is Semillon.

MULTIPLE REGIONS (GIS)

A wine can claim multiple GIs, but only if each of the GIs claimed accounts for more than five per cent. The maximum number of GIs that can be claimed is three. So, if a wine is made from 85 per cent Barossa Valley fruit, then it can claim ‘Barossa Valley’. If a wine is made from 83 per cent Barossa Valley fruit, 13 per cent Heathcote and four per cent Pemberton, then it can be labelled as ‘Barossa Valley Heathcote’ – Pemberton could not be listed on the label as it accounts for less than five per cent.

It is important to note that there are no tolerances or exemptions to the blending rules.

Wine Australia takes our responsibility to protect the sector’s reputation domestically and internationally very seriously, and there can be repercussions for wineries that do not follow the rules. However, the vast majority of Australian wineries and wine brands take their reputation seriously and observe the rules and regulations in place to protect it.

Wine Australia has the authority to audit any wine producer, bottler or grapegrower documents to audit the origin and destination of any grapes or wine and can visit wineries without notice.

In addition to audits Wine Australia also regularly samples wine to ensure that they comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

RACHEL TRIGGS, GENERAL COUNSEL, WINE AUSTRALIA

Rachel Triggs delivers legal, risk management and strategic support across all business units and assumes responsibility for Wine Australia’s regulatory function including the management of the label integrity program and maintenance of the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms. Prior to joining Wine Australia, Triggs worked as a corporate lawyer specialising in wine law. She has a Bachelor of Science (Jurisprudence) majoring in genetics and biochemistry, a Masters in Oenology and a Bachelor of Law (University of Adelaide), a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, and a Diploma of European Wine Law (University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne). In 2014, she co-authored a wine law text book, Global Wine Regulation. Before completing her Law degree, Rachel worked as a winemaker in the Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, Hunter Valley, Oregon and Tuscany.