How to Read Wine Labels

How to Read Wine Labels

Wine labels can be intricate, containing valuable information about the wine’s origin, grape varietal, and production details. Understanding how to read these labels empowers you to make informed choices. Wine Folly’s article on Decoding Wine Labels offers a comprehensive breakdown of the key elements, including appellation, vintage, and alcohol content. With their guidance, you’ll unravel the mystery behind wine labels in no time. 

Read a wine

5 Basic Parts To A Wine Label

  1. Producer or Name: The producer's name is typically displayed prominently at the top or bottom of the label. In some cases, especially with French wine labels, the producer's name may appear in smaller text. This information identifies the entity or individual responsible for making the wine. It's important to note that certain American wine labels, such as "Apothic Red," are actually branded wines produced by larger wine companies like E&J Gallo.

  2. Region: The region specified on the label indicates where the grapes used to produce the wine were sourced. Wines from larger regions tend to be more affordable, while wines from specific vineyard sites often indicate higher quality with a regional designation such as "California" versus a more specific one like "Santa Rita Hills" AVA. If a wine comes from a particular vineyard site, that site may be indicated in quotations (e.g., "Les Suchots") or listed below the region designation (e.g., Vosne Romanee Les Suchots). Generally, wines from more specific sources tend to have higher quality and price.

  3. Variety or Appellation: The variety refers to the type of grape(s) used in making the wine, such as Merlot or a blend like CMS Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah). Many blends do not disclose the specific grapes or their percentages. If the variety is not specified, you can look for the appellation, which can provide clues about the varietals used based on the region's regulations. There are 15 nations with officially regulated appellations, but the stringency of the rules and their importance vary widely among these countries.

  4. Vintage or Non-Vintage (NV): The vintage indicates the year in which the grapes were harvested. Familiarity with vintage variations can provide valuable information about a wine. Generally, wines with a specific vintage are considered of higher value. Non-vintage (NV) wines are usually lower-value options as they can blend wines from multiple vintages to achieve desired flavors.

  5. Alcohol by Volume (ABV): The ABV represents the alcohol content of the wine and can provide insights into its characteristics. Certain European wine regions only allow wines with an ABV of 13.5% or higher to be classified as their highest quality offerings. In contrast, American wines can have relatively high ABVs, reaching up to 17% in some dry wines. The alcohol level often correlates with the wine's richness and intensity of flavors, with higher alcohol wines typically displaying more fruit-forward characteristics. However, it is important to note that this is a generalization and exceptions exist.

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