You should always read the label before you open a bottle of wine because, just like with any expensive purchase, doing so will help you make more informed choices in the long run. Many details regarding anything may be found on the label, especially if you know what you’re looking for. However, when you order online wine labels, it can be quite a challenge.
When purchasing wine labels, keep an eye out for the following:
1. County and region
On wine labels, the fruit’s country of origin is often indicated at the top or bottom. The manufacturer may have chosen to emphasize the wine region rather than this country if it wasn’t obvious. But beware of getting conned by lavish local brands. There is no such word as “Grand Vin de Bordeaux” that is protected or defined. Any old Bordeaux winemaker can add it to their label to make their wine seem more amazing than it is. The general rule is that the more specific the regional label, the more expensive and, presumably, better the wine will be.
2. Verify the manufacturer or name
Similar to this, the name of the winemaker will often be printed on the front of most wine bottles. Unless you’re a serious wine buff, this might not affect you too much. Every manufacturer, nevertheless, will impart their unique specialization and originality to their items. A family, a business, or a lone wine aficionado can all create wine.
The wine that is made on a smaller scale by négociants, as opposed to wine that is bottled by the estate is of excellent quality. This is due to the fact that the person who grows the grapes also makes the wine and is thus more likely to be interested in the quality of the finished product. Look for phrases such as “Mis en Bouteille au Château.”
3. Kind of Grapes
This will undoubtedly show the flavor profile and depth of the wine based on the grape. It’s likely that the producer mixed different grapes into the bottle if the grape is not visibly shown on your bottle. Find the appellation in this instance. This can show the kinds of grapes that may have been used to create the bottle in accordance with the local rules. On the front label of many bottles, however, the variety is usually obscured. You might find the rear label useful. New World wine bottles are more likely to contain varietal labels than traditional European ones. Even though a winery is varietally labeled, it may have up to 15% of a particular grape, and winemakers may add a little quantity of something else to the wine to balance it. However, they are not obligated to notify you if they do not choose to.
4. Sweetness
Almost all red wines are dry. Accordingly, the grape juice’s sugar content has been entirely converted to alcohol, leaving only trace amounts of sugar that are undetectable to expert tasters. This minimum detection level is around four grams per liter. While the majority of white wines are dry, others are delightfully off-dry or sweeter. In a bar, it’s quite unusual that you’ll find a sweet table wine, so ask for a “Sauvignon blanc” or “Chardonnay” rather than a “dry white wine” to appear more experienced.
5. Sulfites
If there are more than 10 mg/liter of sulfites present, manufacturers are legally compelled to report their existence. Sulfites are used by the majority of businesses, and some use them often. They are not obligated to say exactly how much, though. This might be a concern for individuals who are allergic to sulfites. Natural wines with minimal to no sulfites aren’t always healthier; sulfites reduce the risk of infectious disease and oxidation.
5. Level of Alcohol
Understanding the alcohol by volume (ABV) content is important. The typical alcohol level of white wines is a little below 13.5 percent. At the bottom of the front or back label, the percentage is often stated in a smaller font. They only have to be precise to the closest 0.5 percent legally. Instead of a lighter wine like a Muscadet, you could wish to serve steak with a darker red wine. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with a wine that has a high ABV of 15.5 percent, provided that the acidity and fruit in the wine are balanced, despite the current trend toward a more moderate alcohol level. On the other hand, a wine with a high alcohol concentration could be jammier and flabbier.
There is a maximum ABV regulation in place in some regions. The restriction, for instance, is meant to encourage farmers to maintain some acidity and balance in warmer climates where grapes mature quickly. There may be a minimum ABV limit in some areas. Examples of wines from cooler regions that fall under this restriction include Wachau’s Smaragd Riesling. Avoiding too much acidity in these wines is the objective. Acidic, spicy, jammy, and chilly in just the correct quantities.
6. Vintage or non Vintage
On the wine label, look for the word “vintage” to indicate the year the wine was made. If anything on the front label isn’t immediately obvious, look at the neck or back of the bottle.
The grapes were harvested this year, according to the calendar. Hail or a storm that comes too soon after harvesting might ruin a good vintage. Consequently, at the top end of the market, the vintage may offer some indication of the wine’s quality. A good year produces better wine than a bad year.
Vintage champagne and vintage port are only produced in good years, therefore the mere existence of a vintage date suggests (ideally) greater quality. Whatever you’re drinking, the vintage date may be able to tell you how much bottle aging has taken place. Non-vintage wines frequently have a pleasant flavor when first opened, and improvement with age is not typically expected. In some circumstances, like Rioja, words with protected meanings like “Riserva” and “Gran Riserva” signify lengthy maturation. On the label, the word “reserve” is only there for promotional purposes.
In conclusion, there are many different pieces of information that should be on wine labels.
When purchasing wine, there are a few factors to be aware of.
