Rev. Rul. 55-537

The designation `Light Sweet Tokay' may, if properly modified as shown below, be used on a light sweet wine similar in other respects to Tokay dessert wine but having an alcoholic content of less than 14 percent by volume. Accordingly, Revenue Ruling 54-511, C.B. 1954-2, 584, which lists the types of wine which may be designated as `Tokay,' is amended to read as follows:

The designation `Tokay' qualified by an appropriate appellation of origin may be properly used on the following types of wine produced in the United States:

On a dessert wine which possesses the taste, aroma, and other characteristics generally attributed to this product.

On a wine deriving its predominant taste, aroma, and characteristics, and at least 51 percent of its volume, from Tokay grapes.

On a light wine possessing the taste, aroma, and other characteristics generally attributed to Tokay wine made in Hungary.

In addition, the designation `Light Sweet Tokay' qualified by an appropriate appellation of origin may be properly used on a light sweet wine similar to Tokay dessert wine except that it has an alcoholic content of less than 14 percent by volume. However, in order to avoid confusion which may be caused by the use of the word `Tokay' on many different types of wine, the designation must be followed by a statement `A light wine similar in flavor to American (or California, New York, etc.) Tokay,' in readily legible printing. Further, if a name of a state is used in the subsidiary statement, the wine on which the label is to be used must have been produced in such state. Thus, a light sweet wine made in New York, but with an alcoholic content of less than 14 percent by volume, may be designated `New York Light Sweet Tokay,' if followed by the statement `A light wine similar in flavor to New York Tokay.