NEW WINE LABELS IRK SENATOR

WASHINGTON --- In a move that may foreshadow a bitter struggle over
government policies on alcohol, Senator Strom Thurmond has introduced
legislation that would bar new ''health messages'' on wine bottles.

Mr. Thurmond, a Republican from South Carolina, said he wanted to
reverse the "irresponsible" action of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco
and Firearms, which on Feb. 5 approved two bottle labels that
encourage consumers to learn about the benefits of drinking wine.

The legislation he proposed Monday also would transfer labeling
authority to the Department of Health and Human Services and would
raise taxes on wine.

A trade association said the wine industry, which asked tor the new
labels, would fight the proposals.

"We can argue the merits if it comes to that," said John De Luca,
president of the Wine Institute.

The new labels invite people to consult dietary guidelines published
by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, which
warn of the dangers of alcohol but also cite evidence that moderate
drinking may lower the risk of heart disease.