This page provides links to a variety of sites that discuss one or another aspect of agricultural grades and standards. The page was constructed by students in Sociology 861. The names of the students are in parentheses after the commodities.
Shorthorn This page links to American Shorthorn Association home page. This page is filled with facts about Shorthorn
cattle's performance for the different grades of beef. They make a mouth watering addition to any table where beef is welcome.
Quality and Standards for Animal and Plant Fats This page is composed by Fred D. Bisplinghoff, D.V.M. and discusses
the valuable service performed by the rending industry in the processing of animal by products. This page gives the reader
insight into the quantity, quality and uses of animal by products. It's more than hamburger out there.
National Cattlemen Association This home page is a must for the producer. If your interested in press releases that play big in the industry go to http://www.ncanet.org/press_releases/mef_press_rel.html; they cover all the big stories in herdville.
Kansas State Research and Extension Leave it the Wildcats to come up with a comprehensive statement on how to feed livestock of all types. This page has just about everything from feed utilization, to veterinary medicine. Check out the page but have Acrobat installed on your computer to download the extensive data that is online.
Red Basket Ranch Grades and standards apply to many aspects of animal husbandry. This page demonstrates a different angle on this issue. This farm promises to raise pigs for medical research that meet a standard of health by being free of various forms of diseases.
Meat Inspection in the U.S.: A Brief History This page covers the history or meat inspection in the United States from 1879-1906. This essay argues that the meatpacking industry sought to regulate the industry to increase its market share in the world food market. Lots of good references included. Two thumbs up on this one.
Tropical Beef Center Just when you thought it was safe to go surfing this crew comes along. This page is linked down under to Australia where the Brahman range on the plains and eat such things as kangaroo grass. This page allows has interesting data on microorganisms that increase feed utilization. So throw down a froth top and enjoy browsing this one.
University of Guelph Locate in tropical Ontario, the University of Guelph has given us a do-it-yourselfer slaughtering
page. At http://www.aps.uoguelph.ca/swatland/html/ch1.9.html you can read for yourself on all the does and don'ts of
killing livestock. The latest and best of stunning techniques is a must for any couple of web browsers on a first date. Learn
how to kill your neighbor's pot belly pig the right way. Two bloody chain saws up, way up and with a big rev.
University of Nebraska Sometimes it helps to know the basics of any subject. On this page, the Cornhuskers have gone out
of their way to tell us all the basic terminology of livestock, dressed beef and markets. Take time to gander on this page and
to learn dressed beef 101.
National Beef Science Seminar This is a great page to show that science and cattle production merge in a big way. How much feed does it take, what kind of feed, do enzymes help, how much water, etc.? This page will show you that there is a lot of details in the production of beef that requires planning in cattle for market.
Beef Beef Beef This pages links to over 28 sites on the information highway. It's like driving to California on Route 66 without having to make the stops. Check it out and see IBP, Longhorn, Angus, Cow Town USA, and some real fun stuff. Also see Big Dave's Cow Page to learn the answer to this riddle: "Why is the MOOn made of green cheese?
International Trade and Opportunities This page is offered as a service of Sprynet. The page link is great for seeing how the industry views itself for international trade, what the big issues are, and how to capture more market share.
Cowman's Choice This page isn't about grades and standards per say, but has details on marketing strategies for getting cows to market. Check it out to learn more of how cattlemen and cattlegals send those doggies to market.
Wagyu Wa is Japanese, and Gyu is cattle. Thanks to the Carolina Cattle Company, we know what the Japanese hunger for in dressed beef, and make it high prime beef or nothing at all.
MSU-Bozeman No web browser could ever be satisfied without a Spartan dose of ag science. This page gives you the ultimate in breeding for the perfect carcass. Sounds a little ghoulish but these ag science boys have it down to how much cross breeding, what kind of crop rotation, and whether genetic markers and ultrasounds make much of a difference.
Ohio State University: Human Nutrition It's not just for producers, but grades and standards go to the home freezer. What does the discerning family do when they are looking to buy that big beef purchase for the year. Well this page has it from grades to pictures. While you may want to have eaten prior to viewing, you may feel the urge for a snack.
Genetically Engineered Food Truth in advertising is highly desirable but hardly ever achieved, and this page brings home the fact that Bioengineered food is really genetically altered. This is the dissent link that questions these high science forays into altering the genetic makeup of food.
Cruachan This page takes us down under but by going to the Scottish Highlands. Perhaps Duncan McCloud used his own form of stunning techniques on these beauties long ago, I don't know. What I can say is this page will take you through more breeding techniques for cattle in generating the ultimate in dressed beef.
Beef (Cary J. Trexler)
The world-wide webs sites listed below lead the reader to examine how beef cattle carcass grades and standards impact a farmer/rancher's breeding program and production practices. `Good' cattle lead to `good' carcasses that are uniform and meet industry standards demanded by large multinational meat packers. In the sites selected much emphais is placed on reviewing Expected Progeny Differences -- a statistical test used by beef cattle producers to identify superior genetics among livestock. Some of the material contained in these sites is highly technical, but care has been given to progress through these sites in a logical order that builds upon itself. To understand this complex issue, it is suggested that the reader begin at the top of this list and follow in sequential progression.
CowTown America Sponsored by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, this site is a great place to start a search on beef cattle production. It is designed for those who are in the beef cattle industry and provides the reader with an idea of current and emerging issues. CowTown contains a powerful search engine that allows the reader to find beef cattle information; it also contain links that will allow the reader to buy a pair of boots--- a multi-purpose site indeed.
CowTown's Facts Machine The National Cattlemen's Beef Association answers to many of the day's hot topics in beef cattle production. Topics range from the industry's answers to environmental problems of cattle grazing to antibiotics to the myths and facts about beef consumption. The reader of this site must keep in mind who is providing the "facts" about these issues.
NCBA Glossary This site describes the origin of the National Cattleman's Beef Association from its 1898 beginnings to the present day. It allows the reader to locate offices in the U.S. that can be contacted via mail or phone. Further, the site provides a current description of the beef cattle industry in the U.S. provides an overview of the economic output of the beef cattle sector.
AgDirect Is a resource for farmers and ranchers to buy and sell merchandise, find sire summaries on selected cattle breeds, view pictures of bulls for breeding their cows and heifers, list their ranch for sale, or perform a selected mating of cow and bull via the computer.
American Angus Association This site is the home page for the American Angus Association and is a contact point for people interested in Angus beef cattle. The association's 30,000+ members are availed access to this site to: learn of upcoming Angus livestock shows, keep in contact with other enthusiasts, enter information into the Association's breed registrar, learn about how to "increase the production of consistent, high quality beef that will better satisfy consumers throughout the world."
Certified Angus Beef™ This site serves a gateway into the fascinating Certified Angus Beef™ program. Through this page the reader is lead to other resources that explain how the Angus Association uses selected breeding methods to 1) produce consistent meat animal protein product for consumers, 2) identify Certified Angus Beef™ product at the point of sale for product differentiation at the point of sale, 3) improve the efficiency of the production of Certified Angus Beef™.
Certified Angus Beef™ quality Quality standards are defined for producers of the Certified Angus Beef™ product. Through this site cattle producers are able to "begin" their cattle breeding program with the "end in mind". A rationale for standards are provided for producers, including the need for "uniformity of cattle size and resulting beef cuts," the need for increased "product yield and cutability" of the carcass, and the need for "USDA Choice graded beef".
Beef Cattle: Beef Cattle and Carcass Grades Fred Leak, from the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, defines live cattle and carcass grades. In addition, definitions of the following terminology are provided: yield grades, quality grades, USDA and state (Fla) meat inspection, meat terminology, and yield grade formula.
Certified Angus Beef™ target Producers of Certified Angus Beef™ are provided with very specific targets for production through this web page. Criteria are spelled out that define what acceptable standards are for the CAB™ program. The page discusses how the CAB™ is graded by a certified third party -- a USDA quality grade inspector, and then fabricated into a specific product identified as CAB™ product to be sold under this label in retail stores.
Certified Angus Beef™ carcass Definitions are provided as to what constitutes a good carcass. These qualities related to cutability -- high volume of muscle and little external fat, quality grade-- high internal marbling and large rib eye area, little or no external bruising of the carcass, etc. The central notion is that there are specific technologies (production techniques) that farmers/rancher of beef cattle can implement that will make them producers of good products--- products that are sought after in the market. With these standards of a good product in mind, specific breeding technologies, expected progeny differences (EPDs) for example---can be implemented.
American Angus Association -- Angus Carcass Evaluation EPDs This site provides technical information explaining beef cattle EPDs for carcass traits that are based on standards set forth in the Certified Angus Beef™ program. Producers are introduced to the notion that cattle can be bred for specific phenotypic characteristics that are desirable for the creation of a "high quality, uniform carcass" resulting in a uniform protein product from beef.
American Angus Assoc. -- Angus Sire Evaluation 1997 statistical information on the EPDs of bulls in the Angus breed. Used by breeders to compare specific bulls to the averages for the breed as a whole.
STAGES Glossary- Purdue University This site from the Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System (STAGES) of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN provides a definition of many livestock breeding terms. Specifically a definition of Expected Progeny Differences is provided.
Carcass Moormans, a feed and feed additive company, highlights the benefits of using EPDs in beef cattle operations to improve carcass merit. This site features an easily understandable article, written by John Crouch-- Director of Performance Programs for the American Angus Association, on how EPDs are used to improve carcass quality and performance in beef cattle.
Improving the Quality of EPDs New Mexico State University Associate Professor John Winder and Extension Beef Specialist Ron Parker provide a definition of Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) and explain how this data can be affected by the quality of data collected and reported. This site brings to the fore the need for accurate reporting of statistical data by producers; it also questions the reliability and validity of data that are the basis for EPDs.
US Largest Beef Packers and Meat Processors Barnett Trading Company, an organization that sells animal hides internationally, features information on the US beef packers and meat processors. The site highlights the concentration of beef packers in the US.
IBP, Inc This sites leads the reader into the fascinating world of the Iowa Beef Packers (IBP) company. IBP is the worlds largest packer of livestock in the world "employing over 38,000 people and owning 40 plants in North America."
Beef Cuts IBP identifies the boxed beef products that can be purchased by wholesalers for retail. This site highlights the standardization of the beef cattle carcass and the retail cuts that result. Further, it demonstrates how wholesalers, because of the standardization commodization of beef cattle products, are able to purchase meat products "sight unseen" and be assured of the quality and uniformity.
Agricultural Law: A Selected Bibliography, 1985-1192. Sally J. Kelley, Kelly A. Proctor, Susan Dale Britton. Reproduced with permission from the William Mitchell Law Review. This site compiles information on twenty-four subjects related to agricultural law. The articles are from legal periodicals. The books include treatises, handbooks, looseleaf services, and popular material. Federal government publications are not included.
Cascadian Farm is a large company which grows, packages, and markets organic foods. Their website contains a special section for getting the latest information on the National Organic Standards Board's progress. There are many similar sites for individual companies which grow, package or market organic products. They often have a news section to keep their readers up to date on the latest standards and quality certification procedures.
U.S. Feed Grains Council- The U.S. Feed Grains Council is a nonprofit organization that develops export markets for U.S. corn, grain sorghum, barley and their related products. The site includes information on U.S. grain quality and standards, inspection and regulating procedures.
USDA- This site includes information on all of the U.S. agricultural codes.
Midwest Organic Alliance- This organization promotes the production and sale of organic food products. It includes information on organic certification, grain brokering and trading licensing in the Midwest.
Organic Farmers Marketing Association- This site has a wealth of information pertaining to the production, certification and marketing of organic foods. The site includes commodity reports, analyses of the impact of the National Organic Standards on organic farmers, and educational information on organic marketing cooperatives. They also have a page with the Federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
Standards, Conformity Assessment, and Trade: Into the 21st Century (From the National Academy of Sciences). This book is summarized on this National Academy Press website. It lists ten recommendations made by the U.S. National Research Council on International Standards, Conformity, Assessment and the U.S. Trade Policy Project Committee for promoting a more productive national economy.
Organic Trading and Information Center- This site lists the U.S. code for organic certification. This includes organic standards, compliance requirements, certification and administration. The site is made by OVONA, the Organic Verification Organization of North America.
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)- IFOAM is a world-wide organization for the organic agriculture movement. They are the umbrella organization for approximately 530 member organizations and institutions in over 95 countries. They are very involved in the international discourse on organic standards and certification. This site contains links including information on IFOAM conferences, the standards committee's writings, and the accreditation program's writings. A particularly interesting page in this site, http://www.uswebstar.com/platform/ifoam99.htm, is on the contribution of organic agriculture to sustainable development.
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)- SCS is an independent scientific organization based in Oakland, California. The company is uses scientific laboratory analysis for pesticide degradation studies, government compliance reviews, soil and water tests, microbiological quality control, and nutritional testing. They hold a certification standard for chemical residue free products (the NutriClean label). The company certifies foods, monitors supermarkets for pesticide levels, and certifies food retailers and processors in safe food handling.
The Organic Times- This online newspaper has many articles about the standards for producing, certifying and marketing organic products. The newspaper covers issues such as the Codex, U.S. policy changes which may effect organic farming or marketing, certification seals, and food safety. One article of note, Organic Certification: The New Professionalism, by Joe Smillie, points to the changes in the standardization of the organic certification profession. The Organic Times is part of the Natural Foods Merchandiser.
The Natural Foods Merchandiser- This online newsletter broadly covers national and international news which effects the natural foods industry. This newsletter often carries information on changes in certification, standards and regulations in the production and marketing of organic products.
CODEX Alimentarius- This page gives a definition of the CODEX. The CODEX is an international code of food standards that was first established in 1962. This is a very important part of the world standarization of commodities, hygenic and technological practices. This page is part of the Foodnet website,, which is, in turn a combined effort of the Food Institute of Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS Commission Page- This page gives information about the Codex Alimentarius, the commission that oversees the CODEX, CODEX commission members, and the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program. It also carries information about upcoming Codex commission meetings (including working papers) and summary reports of recently held Codex meetings.
Organic Growers of Michigan (OGM)- OGM is a non-profit organization which certifies organic farms in the state of Michigan. The site includes the mission statement of the group, their standards and procedures, and other related information. An interesting and helpful page is the Glossary of Terms for the Organic Industry. OGM is part of the umbrella organization, the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance.
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)- This is the homepage for CCOF. It includes the mission statement of the organization, their history, organizational structure and their associations with other umbrella organizations. The site also has a page for the complete certification procedures, policies, standards, as well as approved practices and materials lists. An additional page lists the California Organic Foods Act of 1990, and the Federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
National Institute of Standards and Technology- This website includes information on the role of the NIST in the U.S., a list of NIST programs, information on calibrations, and standards for measurement. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration. It was established "to assist industry in the development of technology ... needed to improve product quality, to modernize manufacturing processes, to ensure product reliability ... and to facilitate rapid commercialization ... of products based on new scientific discoveries." One quite interesting page link shows the many places where standards are used in the home in everyday life.
The Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)- OCIA prides itself in being the "worlds largest certification program" for organics. They are a professional association of organic farmers and processors with a program of organic standards and certification that is recognized throughout the world. Their website includes pages about the certification process, their standards, an acceptable materials list, and a member feedback page.
All About Wine USA. This site provides information on wine growing regions in the United States, their history, production regions, and business information. It also provides a little information on legislation and labeling, grape varieties, and types and styles.
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms This site is for the agency responsible for regulating wine distribution in the United States. It also provides the nascent regulations for an American appelation system.
Wineserver This site is an academic base for research on enology and viticulture (grapes and wine). It also provides valuable links to concerned professionals, wine sites around the world, scientific journals and assorted fan pages.
Winelaw This site provides downloadable files concerning federal law and regulations concerning wine, its production and distribution. There also links to other agencies.
Speakeasy This site covers many different aspects of wine; in particular providing information on the northwest, but also serving up factsheets on viticulture. These factsheets deal with frequently asked questions, a grape glossary, vintage tables, and a wine tasting glossary.
Oregon State Agricultural Extension Service Provides information on phylloxera and other grape diseases. Also links to weed and insect control. Mostly links to other sites.
German Agricultural Information German Agicultural Information website devoted to search engines for characterization, pedigree, and evaluation.
Michigan Wines Provides consumer orientated information on wineries in the State of Michigan. No technical information provided, but a link is set up for...
Michigan Department of Agriculture The web site for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Equipped with a search engine that brings back results for grades and standards searches. Of interest to a variety of groups, researchers, and school kids alike.
Les Vins du Medoc The history, the chateaux, and information on the varieties of grapes and wine of the Medoc region. In French.
Cuisines et Vins de France Cuisines et Vins de France, a magazine devoted to the food and wine of France. Information on back issues and subscriptions. Available in English.
Vins de l'Anjou Information on the largest variety of wines grown in the Loire valley, the dry and mellow white wines of Anjou. Extensive site, lots of descriptive information about the wines, appellations, in French with an English version.
Vins du Beaujolais Information about the Beaujolais range wines, including extensive sections on the different appellations, the region itself, and serving suggestions in meals; in French with an English version.
Vins du Luberon Information on wines and wineries in Luberon, a history from antiquity to 'our days,' varieties of grapes, dégustation and gastronomie. In French.
Wine information at the French Embassy in Ottawa Extensive links to the wine information. This is part of the Cultural Service for the embassy. They provide background information on appellations and more. Caution: this link may be temporarily down.
Smartwine Online This web edition of the wine industry magazine is filled with valuable information pertaining to all aspects of the wine industry, ranging from legislation in various wines and some beer related activities, to news and information about products and neo-abolitionists.
Winebiz Part of the interactive network of Smart Wine, winebiz connects internet surfers to statistical information and to articles that appeared in Smart Wine, some of which are free, some of which (the majority) are not.
Texas State Standards Texas state standards for economic regulation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, marketing practices and standards of identity for wine.
Ontario's Wine Regions Colorful webpage with information pertaining to Canadian VQAs (that is Vitner's Quality Alliance, the appellation standards system) with maps, easy to follow explanations, but not many links (just up to the homepage) which provides a list of wineries in the province.
North Carolina Wines Information on all the new grape varieties and wines that are born of them that can now grow in North Carolina. Very limited information, but with links to wine glossaries and from there on to other sites.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
Texas Regulations on Alcoholic Beverages These are regulations set forth by the Alcoholic Beverage Commission in the state of Texas. The topics cover issues such as taxation, record keeping, and sacramental wines.
Wine Laws in the Fifty States A great guide of wine laws in the fifty states. It is divided by state. Also, discusses the interaction of federal laws with state laws. It is interesting to compare laws between states with particular states having very restrictive legislation (particularly states in the Bible belt) and other states which are less restrictive. Some laws reflect the social history of states. At the state and federal level there are remnants of the impact of prohibition in this country.
Conference: Wine, Spirit and Beer Law The seminar was held in October of 1996 in San Francisco. While advertising to anyone in the industry, it appears the target audience was attorneys. In relation to grades and standards -- this site is of interest to see the "actors" involved in the conference and to see what legal issues the seminar focused on.
This page orginates from a company called CLE International. CLE International describes their company as having "seminars, which focus on the cutting edge of emerging legal issues of vital import to attorneys, real estate professionals, accountants, consultants and government enforcement agencies" and they "have received wide acclaim from bench and bar for the high quality of its faculty (all of whom are recognized experts in their fields of specialty) and its efficient organization of detailed and useful information."
VQA in Canada VQA stands for Vinter's Quality Alliance. This is Canada's attempt to define what will be considered wine quality standards. In 1990 the Canadian government created and authorized the British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI) to define and enforce regulations governing winemaking and bottle labeling practices. All wineries in British Columbia are required to join the BCWI, but participation in the VQA designation is still voluntary.
VQA Ontario was established earlier than VQA B.C. There is now an effort to bring the VQA of Ontario and British Columbia into uniformity which would result in "VQA Canada." This will then enable Canada to apply for membership in the Office Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV), the "Paris-based international rule maker in everything to do with grapes and wine." Canadian wineries will then be permitted to export their products to Europe and elsewhere. (Currently, Canadian wines are only available in Britain.)
Prior to VQA, Canadian wine standards were less strict. Now to be designated VQA the wine must fulfill the required standards as stated in the booklet and then be submitted to a panel of "expert" judges for tasting. Canada hopes to use the VQA standards to bring British Columbia into the forefront of the world's wine trade.
This site is by far one of the most insightful discussions of the creation of grades and standards. The reader is able to see the direct impact that the international wine trade has in shaping the standards of "good" Canadian wine, while also viewing the indirect impact that VQA standards could have on wineries in Canada. This is definitely a site worth visiting!
British Columbia Wine Act Discusses how the British Columbia Wine Institute will be organized and maintained. From a grades and standards perspective this is interesting because it reflects "official government standards" in the making and how the creation of the Institute is setting the stage for future standards to be established. This act includes a description of the number of council members in the institute, who these members should be, ("the Lieutenant Governor in Council must ensure that various aspects of the wine industry are represented among the members of the institute") and establishes that wineries that do not meet the BCIW standards are considered illegal..
FDA's Concern Over Lead in Table Wine Discusses preventive measures to be taken by the consumer and mentions future legislation to prevent the use of lead based foil on wine bottles. The agencies said their long-term plans include (1) eliminating the use of lead foil capsules used to cover the outside rim and cork of some wine bottles and (2) setting a tolerance for lead residues in table wines produced in the future.
In dealing with other potential areas of lead exposure in the food supply, FDA is also studying the need for setting limits for lead in other foods, and it is considering regulations to tighten existing standards for lead-glazed ceramicware and to prohibit the use of lead-soldered food cans.
WINES AND VINES AROUND THE WORLD
Australian Wine Industry A summary of the legislative inquiry into the Australian wine industry from 1994-95, a critique of this inquiry, and an outline of the vision for Australian wine by 2010. A fascinating read for studying grades and standards. This article shows how actors become enlisted in a debate, particularly when discussing the creation of standards, because standards create the exclusion of certain people or groups. The author, Shelmerdine, notes that prior to the inquiry the only discussion was over the tangible, i.e., money, etc., assets of the industry. The debates brought about an entirely new discussion about the "intangible assets" of the industry, i.e., quality of life arguments.
Most felt that the government inquiry failed to lay a blueprint for the future of the Australian Wine Industry, so this document outlines a rough blueprint. One interesting aspect of the "future outlook" is the industry's pursuit of international markets. Rather than follow the approach of all other countries and create appellations and regions of origin, Australial plans to continue on their current path, and provide affordable, high quality wines. In some ways, they are taking a niche market approach.
Moldavian Vines and their polluted Environment The Republic of Moldavia (RoM) was formerly a part of Romania. In 1940 it was taken over by the Soviet Union and in 1991 RoM received its independence. This paper focuses on the history of winemaking in the region and the potential which the area has for making fine wines. The author uses France as a major point of comparison for fine wines (like most everyone else in the wine industry). The author explains that Romania and RoM were exploited for years by the Soviet Union for the land's resources, including providing a cheap supply of wine. Therefore, the wine industry in RoM was somewhat paralyzed from development. RoM is preparing a wine classification system, for which they might use Romanian standards (also listed in this site), but until they do wines are sold using the viticulture centre and grape variety names.
The author makes an interesting statement about who determines "good wine" in the international market. He writes, "in this paragraph, cellars in Moldavia are named, which already produce high standard and quality wines, the most successful ones being tasty especially for Western tongues." The author is discussing environmental contamination of RoM and the impact on the wine industry. What is remarkable about this site is the aspect of RoM not having grades and standards (e.g., air quality control, soil and water regulation, etc.) It is not until we enter an environment that does not have taken for granted grades and standards that a person is made aware of these standards! (One final point, is the author's discussion of environmental conditions in RoM does not make for a big tourist industry!)
Grapes and the Murray-Darling Basin Another site that discusses the Australian Wine Industry. A useful site because of the detailed attention given to the creation of wine in Australia. There are sections on grape drying, varieties, harvesting, quality grading, processing, and the history of the industry in Australia. This is a great site because it discusses other countries in the wine industry. It is also useful for someone looking for grades and standards of the industry specific to Australia.
Wine, Beers and Spirits of the Net This page provides links to just about any site on the net that has anything to do with wine, beers, etc. (Just as the name says!) Because of the high volume of informational links, this site can provide endless information for the study of grades and standards of wine. However, within this mass collection of links, there are a few that are non-existent or do not have the correct URL address. A positive aspect of this page is the links provided to sites all over the world. This is one of the few wine sites that expands beyond a Eurocentric discussion of wine.
Unfortunately, the page does not provide a searchable database and therefore, it will require time and patience to shuffle through the massive quantity of information to find relevant sites. Among the links provided, there are newsgroups, electronic mailing lists, FTP URLs, and www URLs. Within the world-wide web URLs there are links to: 1) reference materials -- for example, "Wine Tasting Dictionary", WineLaw: US Legal and Compliance Information, and US Wine Statistics; 2) E-zines and Magazines such as, Wine Spectator, American Wine Monthly and Tokyo Wine News; 3) General Materials, which include: Winetasters Society of Toronto and Making Wine; 4) lists of "Old" and "New" World Wines; 5) a list of wine merchants; 6) pages on winemaking and 7) reference pages to wine software and wine furnishings.
The Organic Wine Company This page is fascinating with respect to grades and standards for organic wine. The selling point for this wine company is that they produce organic wines from France. The wines are made from the family property, which has an Appellation d'Origine Controlée (the highest quality classification in France) and from other organic grape growers in the South of France. These wines are certified organic by the U.S. Organic Grapes into Wine Alliance. Thus, this company uses US standards to label their French wines "organic." By doing this, the company is selling to the US organic clientele (one niche market), but also attaching the more prestigious label as coming from France (another niche market), the country which has traditionally been viewed as setting the (official and unofficial) standards within the wine industry.
Also, within the Organic Wine Company's description of their organic wines, they appeal to another niche audience within the organic market, biodynamic wine. Biodynamic wine is viewed as the "ultraorganic method of agriculture" which incorporates homeopathic herbal sprays as well as beliefs in chemical energy that radiates from the moon, stars and planets. For anyone studying grades and standards of wine, particularly as they pertain to the label "organic," this is a page of interest!
Wines from Appellations and Regions Around the World This site looks at wineries and winemaking all around the world. There are various ways to sort this site, including by country. This is another valuable resource for comparing the wine industries of various countries -- how they are similar and different, both officially (in legislation) and unofficially (personal taste and attitudes).
RESEARCH ON WINE
Wine Institute The purpose of the Wine Institute as stated on their page, "is to initiate and advocate state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible consumption and enjoyment of wine." However, the wine institute is specifically an advocate of California Wine, with its main office located in San Francsico, California. The Wine Institute is essentially a lobby group for the promotion of California Wines. The institute discusses legislation; promotional aspects of wine, particularly the health benefits; recent research findings; current research projects; and the overall impact which "The Wine Institute" has made in helping promote wine. This page is actively recruiting members, with the only stipulation being "if you are a licensed winegrower, or you own or lease a bonded winery or a bonded wine cellar in California and are producing or selling wine in the state, you are eligible to become a Wine Institute member." However, if you are not a California resident, you are still eligible to become a "virtual member" which means you will be placed on their mailing list.
This page is useful to the study of grades and standards because it gives you excellent insight into the perspective of California in the wine industry. It is particularly enlightening if you read the page with a critical perspective, which would include having some knowledge of the wine industry in other states in the U.S. and the impact which California has in shaping wine policy in the U.S.
Legal and/or Formalized Standards
The five web sites listed below consist of formal grades and standards meaning that they are written into our laws, they are the law, and/or the are guidelines from recognized authorities.
Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This site is part of the Food and Nutrition Information Center that is maintained by the National Agricultural Library with support from the Agricultural Research Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The nutritional guidelines developed by the USDA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, show us the "proper" combination of food groups--fruits and vegetables, dairy, grains--necessary to have and to maintain good health. Of particular interest here are those guidelines which concern alcohol consumption. These include the potential benefits as well as the risks of drinking, the parameters of moderate consumption, and the identification of those who should not consume alcohol at all. While these guidelines are not legal requirements per se, they are standards which are codified at the state level into minimal allowable drinking ages and maximum allowable blood alcohol levels. USDA AMS Quality Standards. This site is maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. "In cooperation with industry, AMS develops and maintains official U.S. quality standards and grades for hundreds of agricultural products. These standards are based on attributes which describe the value, utility, and entire range of quality for each product." The published federal inspection standards for more than 240 food and fiber products can be found at this site-- cotton; dairy; fresh fruits and vegetables including those which are used for processing; processed fruits and vegetables including juices and sugar products; nuts and specialty crops including Christmas trees, gladiolus corms, peonies and tomato plants; poultry, eggs and rabbits; and tobacco. This site provides notification of proposed changes to these grades and standards. Therefore, while some of them go back to the early 1940s, it can be seen that they are continuously changed and modified.
USDA Pesticide Data Program (PDP). The USDA also maintains this site for the Pesticide Data Program. The PDP monitors pesticide residues according to the Food Quality Protection Act. Title III Sec. 301(c) of the FQPA (1996) states that "[t]he Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that the residue data collection activities conducted by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services, provide for the improved data collection of pesticide residues, including guidelines for the use of comparable analytical and standardized reporting methods, and increased sampling of foods most likely consumed by infants and children." While this site does not provide the actual standards for sampling and analysis, it does provide the information necessary to contact the responsible parties.
The OECD Washington Center. This is the web site for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD consists of 29 industrialized, market-based economies. Its purpose is to provide a venue where "representatives from Member countries meet to exchange information and harmonize policy with a view to maximizing economic growth within Member countries and assisting non-Member countries develop more rapidly." This site includes a search engine for locating and ordering grades and standards publications. (Other OECD publications can also be purchased.) Currently, the OECD does not have grades and standards for wine or wine grapes, but they do have standards for many other fruits and vegetables. The significance of this site is that grades and standards are a necessary component of trade in an increasingly globalized agricultural system (please see the Fruit Online site below).
Organic Grapes into Wine Alliance (OGWA). OGWA is an organization of growers, vintners, and sales persons concerned about the development of an organic wine industry in the U.S. This web site is supported by the association "to eliminate the myths and misunderstandings through education of not only consumers but also distributors, retailers and wine producers themselves. This web site will attempt to lay a foundation of truth and fair play . . . ." In their section "Standards for Wines Produced from Organically Grown Grapes," they provide specific standards for both grape and wine production including the origin of the grapes, harvesting procedures, the use of sulfur, bottle sanitation, and corking. Please refer to The Organic Wine Company web site listed below for a more detailed description.
Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA). This is a page from the Inniskillin winery in Canada. It is maintained by WinewRack, "a collection of 161 neighborhood wine shops located throughout Ontario," which sell Canadian wines exclusively. This page describes the Vintners Quality Alliance, the appellation of origin system in Canada. Its purpose is to establish product differentiation by developing a "system by which consumers can identify wines of Ontario based on the origin of the grapes from which they are produced." This site indicates that the Canadian system follows the appellation standards established in Europe, borrowing primarily from the French and the German systems. Although VQA establishes the standards for a national labeling system, this site also shows that they are flexible, permitting regionally specific modifications.
Associations
Both of the associations identified below attempt to use grades and standards to position the American wine industry more favorably. This positioning includes a research focus on the health benefits of wine consumption, improved sensory characteristics and production factors.
American Viticulture and Enology Research Network (AVERN). AVERN is an organization of wine producers and associations who work toward bringing university research, cooperative extension and grape growers together "to enhance the health and international competitiveness" of the industry with "applied technology and fundamental research." This web site is linked to the server at the University of California at Davis, Department of Viticulture and Enology. At the site, AVERN lists its national research priorities, which include the standards that the industry are trying to establish. One of these is "Viticultural Practices to Improve Grape, Juice and Wine Quality: Impact of practices on composition, flavor and aroma precursors, style and quality" (Priority D). This priority is geared toward decision making models and quality control procedures. Although they note that regionally specific research may be necessary, what we see is that the practices which are good for California are proposed as being good for the U.S. wine industry as a whole. In fact, 11 out of the 23 members of the organizing body represent California, and none of the regional coordinators are from the Midwest.
Wine Institute. The Wine Institute is another California based association. This site has a page of "voluntary" standards for socially responsible advertising--the "Code of Advertising Standards." Using their search engine a page posting the federal laws that impact the industry can be found. These laws include 27 CFR Part 4 (Labeling and Advertising Wine), Part 12 (Foreign Nongenetic Names of Geographic Significance Used in the Designation of Wines), Part 16 (Alcohol Beverage Health Warning Statement), and Part 24 (Wine Production). Here we see the extent to which the standards themselves are standardized (please see the Katherine Kennedy Winery below).
Trade Publications for Growers, Vintners and Wine Connoisseurs
Each of the sites listed below are on-line "trade" magazines for fruit growers, vintners and/or consumers.
Good Fruit Grower. This is the "official" trade magazine of the Washington State Fruit Commission and the Washington State Apple Commission. It is designed specifically for fruit growers, handlers and packers. Its goal is to provide industry news, marketing information, and fruit packing and production information geared toward increasing the Northwest fruit industry's competitiveness. This site/publication has a search engine for locating archived articles. It reinforces "quality" standards with articles about how to make the grade--packaging, harvesting techniques, pest management--and how various elements limit growers ability to do so--weather damage, disease resistance.
Vineyard & Winery Management. This is a trade publication geared specifically to the grape and wine industry. It has information in many categories such as wine judging, cooperage, cellar management, targeting generation X, and cloning. Again, this publication reinforces grades and standards by showing industry members how to be "good" growers and/or vintners by "tun[ing] up" their production practices and "supercharge[ing]" their marketing strategies.
Wine Spectator. This is a magazine for wine trades people as well as for consumers. It concentrates on the proper preparing of wine and food, the sensory qualities of wine, and wine related tourism. They use a formally established 100 point scale for rating wine types and vintages. It is used throughout the industry (but not exclusively) for determining a "good" wine. Also of interest here is the page on "The ABC's of Wine Tasting." This page provides in-depth instructions for tasting wine stating that "[y]ou need special tools, the proper environment, keen concentration, a good memory and a vivid imagination." It includes not only the correct way to handle the glass, but also the proper way to look, smell and taste the wine.
Wineries
The five web sites below are examples of wineries that also grow grapes. Each maintains the philosophy that good wine starts with good grapes. Taken together we see that the European methods of production are the standard, albeit informal in some cases.
The Champagne Diaries, by L. Mawby. L. Mawby Vinyards is one of about a half a dozen wineries that have web sites linked to the "Northern Michigan Connection" tourism server. This grower/vintner uses stories to describe his grape growing and wine production system. "The Champagne Diaries" is a good example of how this vintner emulates a French production standard, in this case Methode champenoise, to ensure and to promote the quality of his product.
Kathryn Kennedy Winery. This web site identifies the specific vinification processes used to develop high quality wines at the Kathryn Kennedy Winery. These elements include, among many others, pruning, soil maintenance, canopy management, degree of wine-skin contact, size of the fermentation vat, and selection of fining agents. While there are standard brix that must be met for wine production (see 27 CFR Part 24, subpart I - Production of Agriculture Wine posted on the Wine Institute web site), their section, "Harvest decisions," does a good job showing that they are also fluid and dependent on may parameters. For this winery, the criteria include the availability of labor, the weather conditions, the health of the vine, and the space available for production.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery. This is the web site of a family-owned and operated Canadian winery located in Ontario. This winery prides itself on being one of the founding members of the VOQ system (please see the Vintners Quality Alliance web site noted above), a sign of "high standards." We can see here that their production practices are clearly linked to European standards, starting with an approved list of grape varieties--Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Baco Noir, and Riesling.
Chateau Figeac. This web site is one of about two dozen French wineries linked together as part of Vinternet, which claims to be the "official site of some of the best French wine and champagne houses." One of the pages at this site describes "good" viticultural practices stating "[a] great wine is the product of scientific vine-growing: an in-depth knowledge of agriculture, biology, chemistry and nology, combined with an analytical, far-seeing mind and a long-term approach." Therefore, the grades and standards of wine are a function of science.
Domaine Laroche. Domaine Laroche is another French winery that is part of Vinternet. Its standards for production include the domains of the vineyard ("A unique mineral wine sculpted from stone"), their viticultural techniques ("A natural common-sense approach"), and their wine-making practices ("The quest for true regional character"), each of which has a separate page at the site. The overarching element of importance at this site is terroir, the combined effects of soil and climate. This winery indicates that there are standards that govern the type of grape that should be grown, based on one's terroir.
Wine Purchasing
In addition to all the standards described above, there are also standards for purchasing both grapes and wine. The sites below are for fruit buyers, wine retailers and consumers.
Fruit Online. This site is maintained by the Decofrut company. It is "dedicated exclusively to the international fruit business." It has a engine that permits searches of its archived articles from Fruit Online "News," which scope out the various factors--weather, development of disease resistant varieties--that may impact fruit quality and thus, sales. It is a tool for buyers to use to determine the extent to which producers will be able to make the expected grade. It is therefore, another mechanism by which grades and standards can be enforced (please see the OECD site noted above).
The Organic Wine Company. The Organic Wine Company specializes in the sale of organic wines. One of the pages at their site describes the organic wine situation in the U.S. stating that the production standards are still contested. Although France and Germany have well established standards for organic grape and wine production, they have evolved over the last 30 years. Following their lead, OGWA industry members in California are leading the way toward establishing standards in the U.S. (please see their site listed above.) Currently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms prohibits the labeling of "Organic Wine," but accepts "Certified Organically Grown" or "Certified Organic Viticulture." This site shows us that individuals at various locations in a commodity network can influence the development of industry-wide standards. While the establishment of these standards will help consumers differentiate organic wines from conventionally produced wines, this company also uses standards to promote a higher moral ground in regard to wine production practices, environmental stewardship, and the health and safety of both agricultural workers and consumers.
Herbault Sarl. This is a web site for a French wine distributor who deals exclusively with French wines, mostly those from the Saumur region. It can be seen here that there are standards for even the grocer who sells the wine; "We carefully select wines [sic] grocers in order to offer you the ... suavest vintages." This site also shows us that some perceive of regulations as a guarantee of quality: "nowhere else is such care taken in the production of a wine. From the work on the vines to the scouring of the bottles, everything is closely regulated." Another interesting tidbit from this site is that Champagne is labeled by the winery alone; it does not have a Cru Appellation (i.e., it does not have a quality grade). Therefore, quality and consistency are guaranteed by the winery alone.
All About Wine. All About Wine advertises itself as a club focusing on French, Italian and American wines. Its web site consists of news and facts about the world's wines, reference books and gifts, as well as consumer and professional educational materials. There are many pages that touch on the issue of grades and standards including a) viticultural areas, b) "What is wine?", and c) storage. One page that is particularly noteworthy is "Legislation and Labeling," which states that once "sufficient quantities were produced to enable wineries to export, international competition from established producing countries with more rigorous production and labeling rules encouraged federal authorities to develop ... mandatory rules ...." In essence, a direct link can be seen between the European standards and the American labeling system.
International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements This site provides links to organic farming all over the world.
Wheat, Corn, and Soybean links This source provides information on U.S. and Canadian grain standards and grades.
FoodPath Organic Foods Sponsored by the Food Industry Services this source contains a collection of links concerning food industry issues for professionals and students.
Midwest Organic Alliance This site provides both organic and conventional producers with answers to the process of improving or beginning the process of organic operations.
National Corn Growers Association Home Page The ultimate site for corn facts.
WWW CERTIFIED ORGANIC FOOD This is an international site including information on the worldwide organic food market and information on becoming an organic grower.
OFMA Main Page This site provides a guide to the Recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board along with info on organic certification and the accreditation of certifying organizations.
Organic Foods Production Act This site contains a definition of organic along with a collection of links to sustainable farming.
Organic Standards Backgrounder This site contains a link to the order form for a new book on the current debate of national organic standards for the U.S.
Standards For Organic Farming This site for the Walnut Acres Farm includes a section on organic standards.
[E] Beyond Food Setting Organic Standards (Nov-Dec '96) Article from E magazine on the need to standardize terms like organic, non-toxic, no pesticides, and no chemicals.
OCIA Organic Food Standards - Preamble This site contains OCIA's own standards of organic as a private certification agency.
NOSB Organic Crop Production Standards Article reprinted from econet in regards to the debate USDA standards.
646_Organic_Products_Standards Collection of resources designed by and for organic growers.