If you looked at a wall full of wine bottles, would you be able to distinguish one from
the other? It's not always easy. They are all so different. Yet once you know what to
look for it becomes very easy.
A few things to look for on a wine bottle:
The wine name. I know...it sounds obvious. But its important, and its not always
easy to understand. Wine names are derived in different ways depending on where they are
produced and to whom they are being marketed. Some are named after the grape with which
they were produced, some are named after the region which produced them, and some are not
named after either.
More info on wine names.
The wine bottle label holds all the information you need to make an informed choice.
It should tell you where it is produced, the vintage, and more.
More info on wine
bottle labels.
The wine classification system can be a sign of the wine's quality. Most
wine making regions have adopted classification systems that can help you determine
the quality of wines. Though they vary by country, the idea is the same for each.
The best wines receive the highest rankings, while lesser rankings are given to wines
of lesser quality.
The wine bottle shape is not as important as it once was. For example, the
presence of a punt on the bottom of a bottle of wine used to indicate a higher
quality wine. But today, that is no longer the case.
Reading Wine Bottle Labels
You need to be able to understand all of the information on
wine bottle labels in order to distinguish one bottle from another, and to
know what it is that you are drinking.
Pick up a bottle of wine and take a look at the label. Some of the
things you can expect to see include:
- The grape variety used to make the wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
or Chardonnay. Keep in mind many wines are actually blends of different
grape varieties. In this case, the variety listed is the predominant grape.
Each country has its own regulations as to what percentage of the predominant
grape must be used in order to label a bottle by that variety. The percentage
can vary anywhere from about 75% to 90%, though some wines may use 100% of one
grape variety.
Why blend grape varieties? Different blends can give different tastes.
Why else? Cost. It is less expensive to mix in 25% of a lesser grape
than to use 100% Chardonnay. And that savings is usually passed along to the
consumer.
This does not mean that the wine is inferior in any way, just different.
We don't believe price has much correlation with quality in wines. You can find
many great wines for under $20...and many for even less than $10!!
- The place where the grapes were grown. This may include the country,
appellation (a designated wine region, such as Napa Valley or Burgundy),
or the name of the vineyard itself.
- The vintage. The year the grapes were harvested.
- The brand name of the producer.
- The volume of wine in the bottle.
- The alcohol content of the wine. This can vary, but by law must be less
than 14%. If there is no percentage, wine bottle labels may instead use the term "table wine."
Some wines can exceed 14% alcohol content. These are called fortified wines. Examples
include Port, Sherry, and Madeira.
- Quality classification. Most of the world's regions have classification
standards that ensure the wine meets certain quality standards. These vary by country.
- Wine bottle labels on the back of the bottle are sometimes used to
provide more details about the wine, a description of the appellation that produced the
wine, or suggestions of food to pair with the wine.
Now you should be confident enough to walk into the liquor store and read any wine bottle
labels for yourself!
