Wine Label Requirements: 750 ml Bottles | Flourish Design Studio

Wine Label Requirements: 750 ml Bottles

TTB Federal Requirements  |  New York State  |  Standard 750 ml Bottle  |  27 CFR Part 4

Standard row
May appear on any label
Government Warning
Page 1 Front / Brand Label

All mandatory label information (except alcohol content) must be no smaller than 2mm. If mandatory text appears among decorative or explanatory text, it must be substantially more conspicuous than surrounding text. 27 CFR § 4.38(b)(1).

Element Required? Min Type Size Max Type Size Notes CFR / Source Citation
Mandatory Elements — Must Appear on the Brand Label
Brand Name Yes 2mm No max May not mislead consumer about age, identity, origin, or other characteristics. One label must be designated as the brand label for COLA purposes.
27 CFR § 4.32(a)(1) 27 CFR § 4.33
Class / Type Designation
(e.g. Red Wine, White Wine)		 Yes, if no varietal 2mm No max "Table Wine" or "Light Wine" allowed for 7–14% ABV. "Dessert Wine" required if over 14% ABV.
27 CFR § 4.32(a)(2) 27 CFR § 4.34
Varietal Designation
(e.g. Riesling, Chardonnay)		 If used 2mm No max Requires appellation of origin. At least 75% of grapes must be that variety and grown in the labeled appellation.
27 CFR § 4.23 27 CFR § 4.34
Appellation of Origin Yes, if vintage date or varietal shown 2mm No max At least 85% of wine must be from the named place (95% if a viticultural area). Required when a varietal designation or vintage date is used.
27 CFR § 4.25 27 CFR § 4.27 27 CFR § 4.34(b)
Optional but Regulated
Vintage Date No 2mm No max If shown, appellation of origin smaller than a country must also appear. 85% of grapes must be from that year (95% if a viticultural area).
27 CFR § 4.27
Estate Bottled No 2mm No max 100% of wine from grapes grown on winery-owned or controlled land. Winery and vineyard must be in the same viticultural area.
27 CFR § 4.26
Page 2 May Appear on Any Label

These elements are mandatory but are not restricted to the front or back label. The regulation at 27 CFR § 4.32(b) explicitly states they shall be stated on "any label affixed to the container" — meaning front, back, strip, or neck label.

Element Required? Min Type Size Max Type Size Notes CFR / Source Citation
Required Elements — May Appear on Any Label (front, back, strip, or neck)
Name & Address of Bottler
"Produced and Bottled By" / "Bottled By"		 Yes 2mm No max "Produced and Bottled by" = min 75% fermented at stated address. "Vinted" = cellar treatment only. "Bottled by" is the minimum required phrase. May appear on any label.
27 CFR § 4.32(b)(1) 27 CFR § 4.35(a) TTB Name & Address Guidance
Net Contents Yes 2mm No max 750 ml is a required standard size. Must be stated in metric units. May also be etched or blown into the bottle. May appear on any label.
27 CFR § 4.32(b)(2) 27 CFR § 4.37 27 CFR § 4.72 (standards of fill)
Alcohol Content Yes (or "Table Wine" / "Light Wine" for 7–14%) 1mm 3mm Must not appear larger than 3mm or smaller than 1mm on containers 5L or less. May not be set off with a border or accentuated. May appear on any label per § 4.32(b)(3).
27 CFR § 4.32(b)(3) 27 CFR § 4.36 27 CFR § 4.38(b)(3)
Sulfites Declaration
"Contains Sulfites"		 Yes, if 10+ ppm SO₂ 2mm No max May appear on front, back, strip, or neck label. Required for interstate commerce if wine contains 10+ ppm sulfur dioxide. "Contains sulfites" or "Contains (a) sulfiting agent(s)" are both acceptable.
27 CFR § 4.32(e) 27 CFR § 4.38(b)(1) TTB Sulfites Declaration Guidance
Government Warning Statement

Required: Yes  |  Min type size: 2mm  |  Max chars/inch: 25  |  Formatting: Must appear on a contrasting background. "GOVERNMENT WARNING" in all caps and bold. Remainder must NOT be bold. Sentence case is permitted for the body text.

Required verbatim text:

GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.
27 CFR § 16.21 (required text) 27 CFR § 16.22 (format & type size) TTB Boot Camp 2025, slide 22
Page 3 Back Label

All mandatory elements from pages 1 and 2 must appear somewhere on the bottle before adding optional content. If optional text is placed near mandatory text, the mandatory text must be substantially more conspicuous. 27 CFR § 4.38(b)(1), § 4.38(f), § 4.39(a)(1).

Element Required? Min Type Size Max Type Size Notes CFR / Source Citation
Optional Content Commonly Placed on Back Label
Tasting Notes / Description No No min if decorative No max If non-mandatory text is mixed with mandatory text, mandatory text must be substantially more conspicuous than surrounding text.
27 CFR § 4.38(b)(1) 27 CFR § 4.38(f)
Food Pairing / Serving Suggestions No No specific req. No max Non-mandatory. No size restrictions unless placed near mandatory elements, in which case mandatory text must be substantially more conspicuous.
27 CFR § 4.38(f)
Winemaker Notes / Story No No specific req. No max Non-mandatory. Must not mislead consumer about origin, age, identity, or other characteristics of the wine.
27 CFR § 4.38(f) 27 CFR § 4.39(a)(1)
Website Address No No specific req. No max Optional. Explicitly listed as an allowable revision — can be added, changed, or deleted without submitting a new COLA application.
TTB Form 5100.31, Allowable Revisions table (website address row)
Phone / Fax / Zip Code No No specific req. No max Optional. Also an explicitly allowable revision — no new COLA required to add, change, or delete.
TTB Form 5100.31, Allowable Revisions table (phone/fax/zip row)
UPC Barcode No No specific req. No max Optional. Addition or change of UPC code must be in compliance with TTB Industry Circular 77-23.
TTB Form 5100.31, Allowable Revisions table (UPC row) TTB Industry Circular 77-23