(USA) Abbreviated to AVA, this term describes a geographically defined region for growing grapes.
Often abbreviated AVA. This is the set of US laws which regulate the use of place names on wine labels. Unlike similar laws in Europe, there are no restrictions on grape variety, yield or wine making practices. AVAs seem to be created more as a response to politics, then as a form of consumer protection. There are over 140 AVAs at this time.
A delimited, geographical grape-growing area that has officially been given appellation status by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Two examples are Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley.
An official geographical grape-growing area that has been recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for its geographic distinctiveness.
A particular geographical location, such as Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, that has been officially designated a grape-growing area in the United States by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. See also: viticultural area.
An grape-growing area that has officially been given appellation status by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Examples are Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, yet many AVA's are considerably smaller in size. The AVA's are largely determined by geography, although politics plays a hefty role as well.
An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a delimited grape-growing region distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the United States government's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The TTB defines these areas at the request of wineries and other petitioners. There are 235 AVAs in 50 states, with 97(+) of them in California.
