US appellations put on hold

18 Dec – the latest development is that yesterday the TTB extended the public comment period, which was due to end on 20 Dec, to 20 Mar 2008, following numerous requests from vintners and appellational organizations to do so.

Just before Thanksgiving, the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (unfortunate that America’s wine industry is governed by a body that also oversees tobacco and tax collection, and used to oversee firearms) opened a period of public debate on its proposed retooling of the rules for establishing American Viticultural Areas (AVAs, or appellations), in the 50 states. 

TTB’s...