26 U.S.C. § 5386: Special natural wines

Summary

Allows making "special natural wines" only from a natural wine base (including heavy-bodied blending wine) under an approved formula. Producers may add natural herbs, spices, fruit juices, aromatics, essences, and other natural flavorings before, during, or after fermentation so the product is clearly different from plain natural wine. They may add carbon dioxide and may add pure dry sugar, a sugar-and-water solution, or caramel, alone or together. The Secretary can limit the Brix level of any sugar solution. No extra wine spirits or other alcohol may be added except what is already in the base wine or what is needed to make approved flavorings. These wines may be treated in the cellar under the same permitted cellar procedures that apply to similar wines.

Title 26, §5386

Internal Revenue Code, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

Special natural wines are the products made, pursuant to a formula approved under this section, from a base of natural wine (including heavy-bodied blending wine) exclusively, with the addition, before, during or after fermentation, of natural herbs, spices, fruit juices, aromatics, essences, and other natural flavorings in such quantities or proportions as to enable such products to be distinguished from any natural wine not so treated, and with or without carbon dioxide naturally or artificially added, and with or without the addition, separately or in combination, of pure dry sugar or a solution of pure dry sugar and water, or caramel. No added wine spirits or alcohol or other spirits shall be used in any wine under this section except as may be contained in the natural wine (including heavy-bodied blending wine) used as a base or except as may be necessary in the production of approved essences or similar approved flavorings. The Brix degree of any solution of pure dry sugar and water used may be limited by regulations prescribed by the Secretary in accordance with good commercial practice.

(b)Cellar treatment

Special natural wines may be cellar treated under the provisions of section 5382(a) and (c).

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5386, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 671, consisted of provisions similar to those comprising this section, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859.

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing. 1968—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–619 inserted reference to subsec. (a) of section 5382.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1968 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 90–619 effective on first day of first month which begins 90 days or more after Oct. 22, 1968, see section 6 of Pub. L. 90–619, set out as a note under section 5373 of this title.

§5386 Special Natural Wines