Semi-generic is a legal term used in Canada and by the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to refer to wine designations that have essentially no meaning. The majority of these were taken from famous European wine-producing regions. Wines sold in the U.S. labeled with semi-generic terms have little or no relation to their namesakes. Sometimes the color is not even the same.
In the last twenty years of the 20th century, with the popularity of varietal labeling based on American Viticultural Areas, semi-generic names have fallen somewhat out of use. They are typically only used on inexpensive wines sold in jugs or cartons.
The use of these names is a bone of contention both inside and outside the U.S. Through trade agreements, the European Union has protect most of these names in its major export markets. However, the U.S. has been very reluctant to forbid their use domestically. While some U.S. wine lovers and professionals feel the use is misleading or dishonest, others feel they have established the terms as brands in their own right. Korbel, for example, has been producing sparkling wine labeled Champagne since the 1890s, and refuses to stop because of this tradition.
Some U.S. states have laws which restrict or prohibit the use of these names for locally produced wines.
From 27 CFR 4.24, the following is a list of semi-generics:
These names can refer to any grape wine but some have become associated with a given style, which is noted.
- Burgundy - Generic red wine, for example Gallo's Hearty Burgundy. Named after French Burgundy.
- Claret - Also generic red wine, named after Claret, the British term for French red Bordeaux.
- Chablis - Generic white wine, named after Chablis.
- Chianti - Generic red, named after Italy's Chianti.
- Malaga - A sherry, named after Malaga.
- Moselle - Generic sweet white, based on a German style produced in the Moselle River valley.
- Rhine Wine (syn. Hock) - Generic sweet white, after Germany's Rhine River. Hock is named after Hochheim .
- Sauterne - White or pink, named after Sauternes.
- Haut Sauterne - Same as above.
- Tokay - Generic white, named after Hungary's Tokaji.
These names have at least some restriction on what kind of wine they can be. The legal restriction is listed first, followed by the original term.