Help in Understanding Wine Labels

There is an old saying that states, "You cannot read a book by its cover." The United States requires certain information to be included on the labels of wines sold, regardless of whether the wine was produced domestically or was imported. While you cannot really get an actual "taste" of the wine by reading its label, you can certainly find a lot of information about a prospective wine by looking at the label on the bottle.

VINTAGE

There may be a year listed on a wine bottle's label. This is the vintage year, or the year that the grapes used in the wine were harvested. Ninety-five percent of the grapes for this wine must have been picked during that year in order for the label to list a vintage year. If more than five percent of the grapes were harvested from a different year, there will not be a date listed or the label will state NV, or non-vintage.

ALCOHOL CONTENT

Alcohol by volume must be listed on the wine label in the United States. Table wines are required to be 7% to 14% alcohol by volume with an allowable variance of 1.5%. However, the alcohol content of table wines cannot exceed 14% or be lower than 7% or they will have to be classified as another type of wine. For example, the alcohol by volume requirements for port is 18% to 20% with a 1% allowable variance.

NAME

The name listed might be a "brand" name or the name of the bottler and its location.

APPELLATION

The appellation is the area where the wine's grapes were grown. Growing areas in the United States are regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. In order for an American Viticultural Area, or AVA, to be listed on a wine's label, at least 85% of the grapes used must come from that AVA. AVAs in the United States include Alexander Valley and Sonoma Coast in California, Mesilla Valley in New Mexico, and Applegate Mountain in Oregon.

TYPE

A label should include the type of wine that the bottle contains, such as table wine or desert wine. In order to state a varietal name, such as Sauvignon Blanc, at least 75% of the grapes used in the wine must be the from the appropriate variety.

VOLUME

The volume of the bottle in millimeters is included either on the label or molded into the glass bottle itself.

SULFITES

Many vintners use sulfites in the fermentation process to help prevent the growth of bacteria and minimize the effects of oxidization. Since sulfites can cause some people to have allergic reactions, the label must include a notation if sulfites were used when making the wine.

GOVERNMENT WARNING

There must be a warning about the health effects of drinking alcohol when pregnant, a warning to individuals to not to drink and drive or operate heavy equipment, and a warning that general health problems might occur when drinking alcoholic beverages.

ESTATE

Estate bottled wines are wines where no less than 100% of the grapes used are produced on land controlled by a given vineyard. The location or locations must be all located within the same AVA. In addition, the grapes must be processed, fermented, and bottled in one operation without any interruptions at the same site.

ADVERTISING/SALES INFORMATION

Many wines include information designed to promote the wine to the consumer. This information might include flavor or aroma descriptors and suggestions for food pairings.

~Laura Evans Staff Editor

Laura Evans is a freelance writer living in Southern California.