What Can a Wine Label Tell?

The simple stuff on a wine label gives you lots of clues. There are a few tips how to select a good and your favorite wine.

• Vintage year: the year indicates when grapes were harvested. Condition of growing or harvesting is really dependent on the season of that year. It can help determine quality.
• Name: either a grape name or a place name.
• Region of origin: geographic designation of origin.
• Variety: the grape variety or blend is the key guide. If you like Pinot Noir, you don’t want to get a Sauvignon Blanc.
• Place of bottling (France will include it)
• Producer or brand name: it’s about whom makes the wine. Some will stick to certain producer or brand name. e.g. Napa Valley Cabernet
• Country: some specific countries maintain their own systems, e.g. France’s AOC, Italy DOC, Spain DO.
• Alcohol content: some wines around 12%, 8%, some stronger around 16-17%. So you may choose your or your friend’s favorite.
• Bottle size: half bottle (375ml), full bottle (750ml) or magnum (1500ml)

If you pay attention to all the above you will find an appropriate one according to your favorites.