What You Can Learn From Wines by Checking Its Label

For wine connoisseurs, understanding the wine label is a must. Through learning this skill, you also get the opportunity to expand your wine knowledge. If you have not paid attention to wine labels, this article will show you what you can learn just from reading them.

What Can You Find in a Fine Wine Bottle

The Brand of Wine and Its Producer

Upon first glance, there is always a prominent set of words you can see on the label: the brand itself. It is usually a recognisable trademark or the name of the company that produces the wine. If it is not a famous company, you will certainly see the name of the wine producer, which can be a single person or a group of winemakers.

The Geographical Location

Another important piece of information that you can find on the label is the geographical location of the wine’s origin. It is usually specified by the name of the country where the wine is produced and the name of the region.

The label will also specify the name of the region, town, and other administrative divisions responsible for any area where the wine is produced.

In the UK, the GI is important. If a GI is applied to a product, it means that the product is authentic and has a strong link to the location where it is made. In simple words, the GI is also based on the quality and authenticity of the product.

The Variety of Grape Used

If you want to buy good wine, you will have to pay attention to what type of grape was used. Every fine wine is made from one specific variety of grapes. In the wine label, you should find the name(s) of the variety of grape used to produce the wine.

The Vintage

Apart from the year of the production, you will also see certain numbers that indicate the vintage year. The vintage refers to the year in which the grapes were harvested.

The vintage will appear on the wine label when the wine is labelled as “vintage,” “vintages,” or “vintage wines.”

The vintage year is vital in the case of fine wines. Though the vintage label might seem not that important, it can actually be a guide for you when it comes to taste. Moreover, vintages can be considered the best indicator of how long a wine can be stored.

The Alcohol By Volume (ABV)

Another vital piece of information that you can find on the label of wine is the Alcohol By Volume (ABV). The ABV is the percentage of alcohol against the volume of the wine.

Wines can vary in ABV, with sweeter wines such as German Riesling under 10%, to high alcohol wines such as a warm climate Shiraz at 15%.

The Description

The description part of the label is where you will find the information about the wine, its characteristics, and other important information.

Most wine labels will have some information about the colour and the type of wine. Usually, they are written on a strip at the bottom of the label. Some labels will have more information about the wine, such as the year it was made and why it was made.

For someone new to wine who wants to know more about it, reading the label on the wine bottle is an excellent way to start. We have discussed some important information that you can find in a fine wine bottle. Now, you can easily read the label and get to know the wines better.

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