What the Limited 2010 Grape Harvest Means For Oklahoma Winery Labels

There are currently wineries in all 50 US states.AVA on them such as Napa Valley or Central Coast.
Oklahoma's total count is at 60. The 2010 grapeThe other option wineries have if they choose to put
harvest in Oklahoma was estimated to be 250 tonsan appellation on their label is the political subdivision
total, however some 50 tons of that will be left on thetype. These start at the smallest geographical level of
vines. To make up for the shortfall in tonnage many ofcounty names and from there go up to state names,
their wineries will be purchasing wine from out of stateand then eventually to American at the top.
off the bulk wine market and blending that in with theirIn the case of the Oklahoma wineries choosing to bring
own wines. This has specific compliancein bulk wine from out of state and blend it in with their
consequences when it comes time to design theirown wines before bottling their label appellation options
labels at bottling.may shrink down dramatically. In order to use a political
The label area that is impacted is the appellation ofsubdivision type of appellation the blend must contain
origin. An appellation of origin is not an item required toat least 75% from the named appellation. So a winery
appear on wine labels, though we may have becomethat purchases some out of state bulk wine and
rather accustomed to seeing them. In the case ofblends more than 25% of it into a blend they are
wines made in California we have becomeputting together for bottling would then only qualify for
accustomed to seeing an American viticultural area, or"American" as their appellation on the label.