Brunello di Montalcino wine

Brunello di Montalcino wine is a controlled appellation (DOCG) Italian wine that under Italian rules must be produced exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has learned that some of the wine labeled as Brunello di Montalcino was produced from a blend of Sangiovese and other grape varieties and is therefore not entitled to the Brunello di Montalcino designation. This wine is mislabeled under both Italian and U.S. rules.

In order to ensure compliance with the provisions of section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act, 27 U.S.C. section 205(e), CBP officials have the authority to withhold release from, or demand the return to, CBP custody of imported wine not covered by a proper certificate of label approval (COLA). Brunello di Montalcino is a foreign nongeneric name that is a distinctive designation of specific grape wines under TTB regulations at 27 CFR sections 4.24(c)(1) and 12.31(c). Brunello di Montalcino wine not made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes does not conform to the current requirements of Italy and is therefore also in conflict with TTB regulations at 27 CFR section 4.25(a)(2)(iii) and (e)(3)(iii). Thus, it is not covered by the COLAs that are currently issued.