[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 27, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 27CFR4.38]

[Page 32-33]
 
            TITLE 27--ALCOHOL, TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND FIREARMS
 
 CHAPTER I--ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE 
                                TREASURY
 
PART 4--LABELING AND ADVERTISING OF WINE--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart D--Labeling Requirements for Wine
 
Sec. 4.38  General requirements.

    (a) Legibility. All labels shall be so designed that all the 
statements thereon required by Secs. 4.30 through 4.39 are readily 
legible under ordinary conditions, and all such statement shall be on a 
contrasting background.
    (b) Size of type. (1) Containers of more than 187 milliliters. All 
mandatory information required on labels by this part, except the 
alcoholic content statement, shall be in script, type, or printing not 
smaller than 2 millimeters; except that if contained among other 
descriptive or explanatory information, the script, type, or printing of 
the mandatory information shall be of a size substantially more 
conspicuous than that of the descriptive or explanatory information.
    (2) Containers of 187 milliliters or less. All mandatory information 
required on labels by this part, except the alcoholic content statement, 
shall not be smaller than 1 millimeter, except that if contained among 
other descriptive or explanatory information, the script, type, or 
printing of the mandatory information shall be of a size substantially 
more conspicuous than that of the descriptive or explanatory 
information.
    (3) Alcoholic content statements shall not appear in script, type, 
or printing larger or more conspicuous than 3 millimeters nor smaller 
than 1 millimeter on labels of containers having a capacity of 5 liters 
or less and shall not be set off with a border or otherwise accentuated.
    (c) English language. All mandatory label information shall be 
stated on labels in the English language, except that the brand name, 
the place of production, and the name of the manufacturer, producer, 
blender, bottler, packer, or shipper appearing on the label need not be 
in the English language if the words ``product of'' immediately precede 
the name of the country of origin stated in accordance with customs 
requirements. Additional statements in foreign languages may be made on 
labels, if they do not in any way conflict with, or contradict the 
requirements of Secs. 4.30 through 4.39.
    (d) Location of label. Labels shall not obscure Government stamps 
nor be obscured thereby.
    (e) Labels firmly affixed. All labels shall be affixed to containers 
of wine in such manner that they cannot be removed without thorough 
application of water or other solvents.
    (f) Additional information on labels. Labels may contain information 
other than the mandatory label information required by Secs. 4.30 
through 4.39, if such information complies with the requirements of such 
sections and does not conflict with, nor in any manner qualify 
statements required by this part. In addition, information which is 
truthful, accurate, and specific, and which is neither disparaging nor 
misleading may appear on wine labels.
    (g) Representations as to materials. If any representation (other 
than representations or information required by Secs. 4.30 through 4.39 
or percentage statements required or permitted by this part) is made as 
to the presence, excellence, or other characteristic of any ingredient 
in any wine, or used in its production, the label containing such 
representation shall state, in print, type, or script, substantially as 
conspicuous as such representation,

[[Page 33]]

the name and amount in percent by volume of each such ingredient.
    (h) Statement of contents of containers. Upon request of the 
appropriate ATF officer, there shall be submitted a full and accurate 
statement of the contents of the containers to which labels are to be or 
have been affixed.

[T.D. ATF-53, 43 FR 37677, Aug. 23, 1978, as amended by T.D. ATF-66, 45 
FR 40544, June 13, 1980; T.D. ATF-94, 46 FR 55095, Nov. 6, 1981; T.D. 
ATF-249, 52 FR 5955, Feb. 27, 1987; T.D. ATF-275, 53 FR 27046, July 18, 
1988; T.D. ATF-312, 56 FR 31077, July 9, 1991]