Packaging & Labelling

Summary of rules for packaging, labelling and categorizing wines

Labelling guidelines for VQA wines

These are general guidelines to help you and your suppliers with the design of labels for VQA wines. They provide only a summary of detailed and comprehensive rules and are not intended to be relied upon for compliance purposes. If you have any questions regarding VQA label requirements, please contact VQA Ontario.

For VQA requirements, please refer to complete instructions for each wine category in the VQA Regulations (Regulation 406). For federal requirements, refer to the Guide to Food Labelling published by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Please note that these guidelines are for Ontario only, other jurisdictions will have different requirements.

General

All information on the label must be legible and of sufficient size and contrast to be readily identified by the consumer.

The front label or "principal display panel" is defined as the side which would normally be displayed to the consumer. In cases where there is a question about what surface constitutes the principal display panel, a determination wll be made by VQA Ontario based on common practices. VQA regulated terms must be used in only accordance with an approval issued by VQA Ontario. These terms are not permitted for use in any form on the label of non-VQA wines or on a label or packaging of a VQA wine - including the back label - that is not entitled to the specific term. In addition, unauthorized use is not permitted on the bottle tags, outer containers or boxes, shelf signage, catalogue descriptions or any other descriptions associated with a particular wine.

Variations of regulated terms

The use of close variations of VQA regulated terms are not permitted. For example:

  • regulated term Icewine (Ice Wine, Icevine, etc are not permitted for VQA or non-VQA wines)
  • regulated term Estate Bottled (variation "Estate Grown" is not permittedfor non-VQA wines)
  • regulated term Niagara Peninsula (Niagara is not permitted for non-qualifying VQA wines or non-VQA wines)
  • regulated term Vineyard (any named vineyard indicating origin is not permitted for non-qualifying VQA wines or non-VQA wines)
  • no reference to appellation names is permitted for wines that do not qualify for the stated appellation
  • no label may refer to multiple appellations unless one is a sub-appellation of the other and the wine qualifies for both
Prohibited items
  • Registered or semi-generic terms used without permission
  • Phrases including VQA and other words implying superiority such as "VQA guaranteed" or "VQA reserve" are not permitted
  • Nothing that may mislead the consumer is permitted to appear on the label
  • Geographical indications or traditional expressions that the wine is not entitled to in law - eg. VQA wine cannot be referred to as "Bordeaux style" or "made from Bordeaux varieties"

For Varietal wines (single, dual or triple)

  • Grape varieties that can be named on the label are restricted to authorized grape varieties and must appear as listed in the regulations. Synonyms, short forms or modified forms of grape variety names are not allowed unless specified in the Regulation.
  • Nothing may be appended to a variety name (see rules for limited exceptions – eg. Old Vines Foch, Fumé Blanc, Gamay Nouveau or Chardonnay musqué)
  • Vinifera/hybrid blends are only permitted when the hybrid is declared on the label and in accordance with other requirements for varietal wine
  • Declared varieties must be listed in descending order of content, in identical type

Organic Labelling

Organic or "green" label claims fall under federal labelling guidelines and regulations and are not regulated by VQA Ontario.

Other Label Content

VQA Ontario monitors compliance with federal wine labelling requirements (see sidebar), but these reqruirements are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Other label content that is not regulated by VQA Ontario includes brand names, generic descriptors such as "reserved", "oaked", "first press" and descriptive back label text that describes wine character (unless it used regulated terms or it is clearly misleading as to the physical content of the wine).

VQA Label Approvals

VQA Ontario conducts a label review as part of the product approval process. Labels can only be approved in conjunction with the testing and approval of a specific wine. A wine approval will not be issued unless a compliant label is supplied. Wineries are responsible for ensuring the labels applied to all wines are compliant. VQA Ontario will review new or revised labels for previously approved wines on request. VQA Ontario will also review labels in advance of the wine approval process and provide feedback, but final label approval can only be issued with the wine approval. It is strongly recomended that final printing and labelling be done after the approval is received.

Label approvals can also be issued for a second label for use on a wine that is already approved.

Unfiltered and Bottled with Lees Wines

Wines may be designated under the categories "Unfiltered" and "Bottled with its Lees". The following rules apply for these categories:

  • A wine that is produced and labeled "Bottled with its Lees" shall be exempt from the maximum turbidity limits established under the rules;
  • The maximum turbidity limits established under the rules shall be 20 N.T.U. for white wines and 40 N.T.U. for red wines for a wine that is produced and labeled "Unfiltered" or "Bottled with its Lees";
  • Wines that show any signs of refermentation or significant microbiological instability may be denied approval, even in the case they test within the maximum limits.
  • Only the terms "Unfiltered" and "Bottled with its lees" shall be permitted to be displayed on the principal display panel and declared on the application for approval;
  • The category description shall appear on the grading sheet for informational purposes and these attributes will be considered when judging a wine so designated.
  • The new rules will be applied beginning with the 2002 vintage

These guidelines add distinct wine categories for VQA wines and:

  • Recognize that these are quality wines without technical fault;
  • Establish terms and conditions for their use;
  • Recognize that certain unique characteristics require that they be exempt from specific laboratory testing and tasting guidelines.

Rules for Hybrid Grapes

Wines made with authorized hybrid grapes must carry the geographical indication "Ontario". Wines declaring a viticultural area name, a sub-appellation name, a vineyard name, and/or the designations: estate bottled, traditional method or Icewine, must be made from 100% vitis vinifera grapes. An exception is made for Vidal Icewine.

Blends of hybrid grapes and vinifera grapes are allowed only if:

  • the geographical indication declared is Ontario
  • the wine is made as a single, dual or triple varietal wine and the name of the hybrid grape variety is declared on the label
  • all other applicable VQA requirements are met

Screwcap Closures

Guidelines for Roll on – Pilfer Proof Closures

The screwcap shall be an ROPP closure and made of metal.

The liner shall include a component layer of either Saran tin (SFE) or Saranex (SAR2F), or other substance with similar properties, such that the permeability of the liner is no more than 1 cc per m² per 24 hours.

Guidelines for Crown Cap Closures

The crown cap shall be made of metal.

The closure shall include a liner and be applied so that a seal is formed, such that the permeability of the liner is no more than 1 cc per m² per 24 hours