Willamette Valley Vineyards has received what it believes is the first federal government label approval of resveratrol content, an antioxidant, on wine. The winery's '02 Vintage Selection Pinot Noir label was approved to list resveratrol, and its content and '03 Whole Cluster Fermented Pinot Noir label includes the same plus the explanation of resveratrol: "Pinot Noir develops a natural defense against botrytis (mold) in our moist, cool climate -- the antioxidant resveratrol."
The company's later filing to the Alcohol, Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the U.S. Department of Treasury, which contained this language on its '04 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir label, was rejected. At that time, the TTB stated, "You may not make curative or therapeutic claims on labels or create misleading associations between the consumption of alcohol and health per 27 CFR 4.39 (h) (i). Delete reference to the word 'resveratrol.'"