The federal regulations governing the standards of fill for wine and spirits products were recently revised, expanding the number of container sizes available for packaging. Several new container sizes are now authorized for both wine and spirits. This update will allow for greater flexibility and innovation in packaging and aligns U.S. standards with those of the international marketplace. Another new federal regulation under the Standards of Identity for spirits is the establishment of “American Single Malt Whisky” as a recognized class and type. “American Single Malt Whisky” must be produced at a single distillery in the USA, using only 100% malted barley. This new regulation came as welcome news to domestic distilleries that have been making whisky that now qualifies to be designated “American Single Malt Whisky.” Subscribers to The Digest of Wine & Spirits Law have easy access to important updates like these. The Digest contains the full te

On December 29, 2020, the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published a final rule in the Federal Register that, among other things, expands the number of available standards of fill (or container/bottle sizes) for wine and distilled spirits, effective immediately. Under the final rule, wine may now use the following new standards of fill: 200 mL, 250 mL, and 355 mL.  No previously existing standards of fill were removed.  As a result, the complete list of available standards of fill for wine are: 50 mL, 100 mL, 187 mL, 200 mL, 250 mL, 355 mL, 375 mL, 500 mL, 750 mL, 1 L, 1.5 L, and 3 L.  In addition, wine can also be bottled in containers larger than 4 L if such containers are filled and labeled in quantities of whole liters (e.g., 4L, 5 L, 6 L). Similarly, distilled spirits may now use the following new standards of fill: 700 mL, 720 mL, 900 mL, and 1.8 L.  No previously existing standards of fill