Editing Semi-generic (section)

{{Short description|Legal term for a type of wine}}
[[File:New York sparkling wine.jpg|right|thumb|Sparkling wine with the semi-generic "Brut American champagne" on the label]]
'''''Semi-generic''''' is a legal term used in by the [[United States]] [[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau]] to refer to a specific type of [[wine]] designation. The majority of these were originally based on the names of well-known [[Europe]]an wine-producing regions. Consumers didn't recognize grape varieties at that time and New World producers used the familiar names to suggest the style of wine they were offering for sale. U.S. regulations require that semi-generic names (for example, California champagne) may be used on a wine label only if there appears next to such name the appellation of "the actual place of origin" in order to prevent any possible [[consumer confusion]].

The practice primarily ceased in 2006 with the Wine Trade Agreement, though existing brands can continue the practice, considered grandfathered in.