Member Announcements

PROPOSED CHANGES TO VQA LABELLING REGULATIONS

UPDATE

 

VQA Ontario recently circulated proposed changes to labelling regulations for comment.  The comment period closed on April 10, 2008.  We thank all of those who commented. 

As a result of the comments received, the proposal will go forward with the following amendments:

1. The regulation of “Grown, Produced and Bottled by” as a restricted term under the VQA Act has been removed from the proposal.  Alternative measures that would not restrict the use of this term on non-VQA wines are under consideration but will not be included in this regulation change.    
2. The minimum font size for appellation labelling will be 2.0 mm for all containers 375 ml and larger and 1.0 mm for all containers less than 375 ml.
3. Information that appears on the principal display panel (such as appellation or vintage) will not need to be repeated on the other label if the other label is designated as the single field of vision.  Wineries may repeat information on the second label at their discretion.  

The amended proposal will be recommended to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services for approval. 

 

PROPOSAL DETAILS

Definitions:

Principal Display Panel (PDP):  The label on a bottle or container of wine that is intended to be displayed to the consumer.  This will not be self-defined by the winery but will be the label that a reasonable person would view as the display label or that which would normally be interpreted as the “front” label. 
Single Field of Vision (SFV):  Any part of the surface of a bottle or container of wine, excluding its base and cap, which can be seen without having to turn the container. 
Label:  Printed or written wording or graphic symbols, that are present on a bottle or container of wine or that are associated with a wine.

Objectives:

• Ensure prominence of appellation of origin on VQA wine labels
• Simplify labelling regulations and provide improved flexibility in label design
• Set the stage to transition consumers to rely on, and look for, the VQA appellation when choosing VQA wines
• Maintain the integrity of regulated terms

 

 

Dates to Remember in 2008

• Late Harvest and Icewine reports due 30 days after harvest (on-line)
• May 30, 2008 - Late Harvest and Icewine registrations due (on-line)
• Monthly Sales Reports are due on the 10th of the following month.

Tasting and testing schedule:

Taste tests are conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays. No tastings will be held on the following dates:

• Wednesday March 5, 2008
• Monday March 24, 2008
• Monday May 19, 2008
• Monday June 30, 2008
• Monday September 1, 2008
• Monday October 13, 2008
• No tastings during the month of December.

 

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VQA Member Newsletters

Member newsletters are available for download in .pdf format for the following:

Mar 2008 (21K)

• Labelling Rules Interpretation
• Expanded Online Services

Dec 2007 (131K)

• Icewine Harvest Reporting and Fees
• Winemakers Forums
• Carbaryl limits and Alcohol tolerences

Mar 2007 (12K)

• Origin is Important
• CFIA Draft Inspection Manual
• Regulation Changes

Dec 2006 (143K)

• Icewine Harvest Reporting
• Taste Panel Training
• National Wine Standards

Proposed changes:

IMPLEMENTATION NOTES

• Wineries will have flexibility to mix and match where VQA information is presented as long as the appellation is always on the principal display panel.  Federal information must appear according to federal regulations.
• A proprietary name may be used on the principal display panel for wines with hybrid content.  In this case VQA Ontario VQA must appear on the principal display panel and the variety names must appear on the label but would be optional on the principal display panel.
• A minimum type size of 2.0 mm will apply to the smallest letter in the appellation declaration.  Legibility will require sufficient contrast and sharpness to the background.  For containers less than 375 ml, the minimum type size will be 1.0 mm.
• The VQA Ontario “Graphics Standards Manual” will be revised to allow the VQA logo to appear anywhere on the package, except for the bottom or top surface of the container, on condition that the appellation appears on the principal display panel at the minimum size.  Wineries will continue to have the option of using a standardized capsule or cigar band with the logo.  
• This proposal does not change any federal labelling rules and regulations.

Transition period to full compliance

• Beginning immediately, no new designs that do not have the appellation on the principal display panel will be approved.  This is in accordance with the existing regulations which require appellation and other information to appear on the principal display panel.   Existing label designs that have been previously approved under the Single Field of Vision principles will be grandfathered (maximum phase out up to and including the 2009 vintage).. 
• Use of the VQA logo on the front panel may cease as soon as minimum appellation type size is adopted.
• Use of smaller type appellation type may continue only in conjunction with VQA logo on front panel up to and including 2009 vintage. 

 

QUESTIONS?

Email: laurie.macdonald@vqaontario.ca
Phone:  416-367-2002
Mail:  VQA Ontario, 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1601, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E5

 

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