Oregon Public Broadcasting

Have you ever wondered how many calories you’re swirling in that glass of holiday wine? Well the federal government is proposing a new rule that would feature calorie and alcohol content information on all containers of alcohol. Richland correspondent Anna King reports.

How about a glass of merlot light or a diet sauvignon blanc?

Washington State University wine scientist Jim Harbertson says that could be the next fad in wine making if the federal government approves a new rule. It would require calories and alcohol content of wine to be printed on each label.

Jim Harbertson: "We already know that things like Bud Light already exist. That’s simply a beer that has less alcohol simply because they are saying it has less calories. Most of the calories in alcoholic beverages come from the alcohol not from the sugar. People might start demanding lower alcohol wines."

Harbertson says that could create new markets for the industry. But Wade Wolfe questions the value of printing nutrition information on the back of bottles. He owns Thurston Wolfe Winery in Prosser, WA.

Wade Wolfe: "I don’t think I’ve ever had anybody suggest to me that they determine the quantity of wine or beer or what ever alcoholic beverage they drink based on some kind of recommendation or serving size."

Wolfe says the new rule would likely cost his small winery about 3,000-dollars a year in extra lab fees. And he says the required information would leave less room for art and marketing on the bottle.

The proposed rule will be the subject of a public forum at WSU’s Prosser research center on December 6th. You can comment on the proposed rule through February.

Online:

More information about Rule No. 73