How to Read Wine Labels
By Kiya Sama

How to read a wine label in a foreign language - or even in English? Meanings of terms often vary according to country - for example, "estate-bottled" does not mean the same thing in the United States as it does in France. But spending a little time deciphering a label pays off. Hiding in it is valuable information about the kind and quality of the wine.

United States:

  1. Brand or winery name.

  2. Vineyard name. At least 85 percent of the grapes must come from that vineyard.

  3. Varietal name (e.g. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon) Wine is labeled according to the variety of grape. By law, it must contain at least 75 percent of that variety (e.g., Chenin Blanc must contain 75 percent Chenin Blanc grapes).

  4. Estate-bottled. The grapes were grown in one county by the same producer. The term "made and bottled by" means that a winery has made at least 10 percent of the wine - the rest can come from anywhere.

  5. Vintage (a year). At least 95 percent of the grapes used in making the wine were harvested in that year.

  6. Other statements (size of bottle, alcoholic content, etc.). If you see the words "table wine" percentage of alcohol must be mentioned.

France:

  1. Brand name or name of estate. The producer of the wine.

  2. Regional name. In France, wine is labeled by region. Burgundy wine comes from the Burgundy region, but it might be made of a blend of several kinds of grapes.

  3. Estate-bottled. Grapes were grown and produced on the estate.

  4. AC or VDQS: Guarantee by French government that the wine is authentic.

  5. Perhaps Cru or Premier Cru. Better than ordinary quality of grapes.

  6. Vintage.

  7. Other statements (size of bottle, shipper, etc.).

  8. Appellation. Place of origin.

Germany:

  1. Name of the village where wine was made, ending in er. For example, wine from Wehlen is called Wehlener.

  2. Vineyard (Weinberg in German).

  3. Grape variety.

  4. Indication of dryness. Trocken, meaning dry; Halbtrocken, half-dry.

  5. Perhaps Erzeugerabfullüng, meaning "put in bottles at the Chateau."

  6. Weingut: winery.

    7. Kiya Sama is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers

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