Generic

A category of inexpensive wine that has been given a general name that is not controlled by law. In the United States, terms such as “chablis,” “rhine,” “sherry,” and “burgundy” are all considered generic terms because they are not controlled by United States law. Note that, in Europe these are stringently defined terms. Thus, any inexpensive blended wine in the United States may be called “chablis” even though the wine itself will bear no resemblance to its namesake.