December 8, 2004
OLCC says RoxyAnn Winery can use ‘claret’
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has granted a request by RoxyAnn Winery at Hillcrest Orchard to remove a prohibition and allow use of the term
"claret" to describe blended red wines on product labels.
Under the amended rules, a claret must be a mixture of at least two of these grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot,
Carmenere or Malbec.
An OLCC release said the proposal received the support of 145 southern Oregon wineries and vineyards, but there was also opposition expressed during the
rule-making process. Most of the claret grape varieties are grown in Southern Oregon.
The changes became effective Dec. 1.
Twenty-three wineries from the Applegate, Rogue and Umpqua valleys approved of the amendments, according to the Southern Oregon Winery Association. The
Rogue Chapter of Oregon Wine Grape Growers Association said 122 members support the change.
