Originally published October 23, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 23, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Oregon regulators ease rules for wine labeling
Oregon has relaxed its wine-labeling rules for the first time in 30 years — a move that gladdens some, but not all, winemakers. Most Oregon wines, such...
PORTLAND — Oregon has relaxed its wine-labeling rules for the first time in 30 years — a move that gladdens some, but not all, winemakers.
Most Oregon wines, such as pinot noir, pinot Gris, chardonnay and Riesling, will be unaffected and still must meet a rule that requires 90 percent of the contents to come from the grape on the label.
But the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has approved a request by the state winemakers, who now are allowed to blend 18 of the 72 grape varieties grown in Oregon with up to 25 percent of other grape varieties but still sell it under the label of the primary grape.
The change applies primarily to warm-weather grapes and will not affect the Willamette Valley.
Some Oregon wineries said the state's labeling regulations were some of the strictest in the nation and limited their ability to compete with winemakers in states with looser laws.
But critics argued that the loosening of the standards will lower Oregon wines' reputations.
Other changes by liquor regulators include allowing Oregon producers to list their wine as either "pinot Gris" or "pinot grigio," made from the same grape, on wine labels. Previously, regulations allowed only the use of "pinot Gris."
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
Federal Way group on trail of missing pets
UPDATE - 09:35 AM
Interstate 90 commute returns to normal

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Monday, Jul. 6th
- IKEA Summer Sale
- Blackbird Spring Half-Yearly Sale
- Karan Dannenberg Clothier Progressive...
- Pink Ginger First Anniversary Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Relative: Police say woman with McNair bought gun
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Quincy Jones remembers "the biggest entertainer on the planet": Michael Jackson
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
248 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
193 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
139 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
132 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
111 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
110 - Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
65 - What Mariners learned on this road trip
57 - Mariners did their part, now they need help
49 - FBI denounces rumors: Palin not investigated
46
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- 250 gather in field near Twisp for fairy congress
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
