(a) Effervescent wine may be made on bonded wine premises. Where the effervescence results from fermentation of the wine within a closed container, the wine is classified and taxed as sparkling wine or as hard cider, as applicable. In such wine, the use of carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas, or a combination of both, is permitted to maintain counterpressure during transfer and bottling. Wine carbonated by injection of carbon dioxide is classified and taxed as artificially carbonated wine or as hard cider, as applicable. (For wine to be classified and taxed at the hard cider tax rate, it must meet the requirements set forth in § 24.331, including the limitation of not more than 0.64 gram of carbon dioxide per 100 milliliters.)

(b) Effervescent wine and any wine used as a base in the production of effervescent wine may not have an alcohol content in excess of 14 percent by volume. However, wine containing more than 14 percent alcohol by volume may be used in preparing a dosage for finishing effervescent wine.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1383, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5382)) [T.D. TTB-147, 82 FR 7663, Jan. 23, 2017]

Where more than one process of producing effervescent wine is used, the appropriate TTB officer may require the portion of the premises used for the production and storage of wine made by each process (bottle fermenting, bulk fermenting, or injecting carbon dioxide) to be segregated as provided by § 24.27.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1381, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5365)) [T.D. TTB-147, 82 FR 7663, Jan. 23, 2017]

In preparing still wine or still hard cider for the production of effervescent wine, sugar and acid of the kinds and within the limitations prescribed in § 24.182 may be added with yeast or yeast culture to acclimate the yeast and to facilitate the process of secondary fermentation or to correct the wine. Fruit syrup, sugar, wine, wine spirits, and acid may be used in preparing a finishing dosage for effervescent wine provided the dosage does not exceed 10 percent by volume of the finished product. Where the proprietor desires to use more than 10 percent by volume finishing dosage, the proprietor shall file for a formula approval under § 24.80. The fruit syrup, wine spirits and wine used will come from the same kind of fruit as the wine from which the effervescent wine is made. In the production of effervescent wine, taxpaid wine spirits or wine spirits withdrawn tax-free may be used. Tax-free wine spirits may only be used in the production of effervescent wine that is a natural wine. In the refermentation and finishing of a sparkling wine or sparkling hard cider, the acids and materials specifically authorized in § 24.246 may be used.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1383, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5382)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1512-0059) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. TTB-147, 82 FR 7663, Jan. 23, 2017]

Effervescent wine may be dumped for use as still wine or still hard cider. The dumping process will allow the loss of carbon dioxide remaining in the wine.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1331, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5041, 5361)) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. TTB-147, 82 FR 7663, Jan. 23, 2017]