American “port-style” wines are attempting to find a new name for themselves. The U.S. has never been as strict with wine naming conventions as European countries are. Where to us Port means a fortified wine, elsewhere it specifically means from the Porto region of the Duoro River Valley in Portugal, made from specific Portuguese grape varieties and shipped from the town of Oporto. That difference may not seem like a big deal, except when you’re attempting to do business internationally. To add to the problem, in 2006 the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) ceased approval of new domestic “port” labeled products. While anyone who received approval prior to 2006 is “grandfathered” in, new producers and brands have to find different terms to use.

The members of the Sweet and Fortified Wine Association (SFWA) have expressed a preference for the term “fortified wine” because it can be used to encompass not just port, but other products such as sherry and madeira as well. However the TTB hasn’t allowed that term on wine labels in the past, possibly because of its use on nutritional supplement products and the confusion it might cause to have two meanings.

Some of the alternatives names the SFWA has come up with are: Fort, Forte, and “WSA” (wine spirits additions). Personally I would lean toward a name like Fort or Forte, simply because of it’s similar sound to the traditional Port name. It’s tough to completely change a product’s name and ensure consumers will still buy it.

The SFWA is also attempting to combat the stereotype that port-style wines are an “old person’s” drink. They’re attempting to market more towards the 21 to 40-year-old age group.

If you’re new to the world of ports I recommend trying D’Vine Wine’s Raspberry Chocolate Port or Desert Moon Vineyards Fireside Ruby. Both are excellent ports and very easy to drink.

Washington’s Liquor Control Board recently attempted to pass a bill to soften some of the restrictions on the three-tier system (retailers, wholesalers, producers). Many laws in Washington are leftover from Prohibition’s repeal, even though it is the second-largest wine-producing state with over 600 vineyards.

There’s a heated debate in the world of liquor sales. Should grocery stores be allowed to sell wine? Currently 35 states do allow supermarket wine sales, and a few others are attempting to join them. A proposal in Kentucky was already shot down this year, mainly due to the opposition encountered from small business store owners. They argue that changing the laws won’t end up helping the economy, as officials propose, but that instead it will cause many people to lose their jobs. Supermarket sales may help big chains like Kroger’s or Walmart, but wouldn’t create any new jobs, and would lead to thousands of small liquor stores closing their doors.