What is vermouth?
If you are considering producing vermouth, you may be wondering which TTB requirements apply: wine or distilled spirits? While vermouth contains added spirits, it is considered a wine under tax and labeling laws and regulations.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, vermouth is a type of special natural wine that must be produced in accordance with 27 CFR Part 24 Subpart H.
Under Federal labeling regulations, vermouth is classified as a wine – specifically, an aperitif wine as defined in 27 CFR 4.21(g).
An aperitif wine is wine having an alcoholic content of not less than 15 percent by volume, compounded from grape wine containing added brandy or alcohol, flavored with herbs and other natural aromatic flavoring materials, with or without the addition of caramel for coloring purposes, and possessing the taste, aroma, and characteristics generally attributed to aperitif wine, and shall be so designated unless designated as “vermouth” under 27 CFR 4.21(g)(2).Vermouth is a type of aperitif wine compounded from grape wine, having the taste, aroma, and characteristics generally attributed to vermouth.
What TTB requirements apply?
Vermouth produced in the United States for commercial sale must meet these requirements:
Produced at a TTB-permitted bonded wine premises;
Comply with wine records, reporting, and tax requirements;
Receive formula approval; and
Comply with the wine labeling requirements under 27 CFR part 4.