Understanding Wine Labels

Wine Label

A wine label is a legal document. The wine label provides a guarantee that you are getting what you expect. Almost every wine label will show the Wine Name, the Producer, the Vintage or the year the grapes were harvested, the Appellation or place the grapes originated and the Alcohol content.

Wine Name on the wine label

In the U.S., the wine label usually lists the varietal as the wine name: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, etc. This is also true of any wine label from Mexico, South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In America a wine must contain more than 75% of the varietal on the wine label. In France, Italy, and Spain, the traditional wine label uses place of origin instead of varietal. Here are some examples of what you would find on a wine label:



Rioja on the wine label - red wine made from Tempranillo and other grapes in a delimited region in northern Spain.



Chianti on the wine label - red wine made from Sangiovese in a delimited region in Tuscany



Clos Vougeot on the wine label - red wine made from Pinot Noir grown in the Clos Vougeot vineyard.



Producer on the wine label

In the U.S. and abroad, the name on the wine label is a trademark. Many wineries sell wine under multiple wine labels. Wineries reserve their principal wine label for their most expensive wines. A second wine label can offer a product line to another market. The second wine label is usually designed for a different market, made from different fruit from a different location. 

Larger producers use the wine label to designate levels of quality. Gallo uses E & J Gallo, Anapamu, Gallo of Sonoma, and the wine label of its other brands to appeal to various sectors of the market. Smaller producers specialize in a limited range of quality wines associated with their wine label.



Vintage on the wine label

If the vintage is stated on the wine label, all grapes must be harvested during the year listed. If no vintage is given on the wine label, as with “non-vintage” or “multi-vintage” wines, the wine is blended from two or more vintages. 

Appellation on the wine label

The origin of grapes, listed on wine label as appellation, is important in predicting the nature of wine. In the U.S. and most other countries, it is necessary to state appellation on every wine label. 

Alcohol Content on the wine label

Alcohol content is a fundamental piece of wine label information. A wine label listing alcohol below 12%, including most dry German Rieslings and many California white Zinfandels, will be easy drinking and light bodied. A wine label with alcohol levels of 12% – 13.8% and will be medium bodied, well balanced wines; many wines dubbed “elegant” and “stylish” fall into this category.  A wine label with levels above 14% will be full-bodied, serious wines.  U.S. laws allow a 1.5% margin of error on alcohol, so a wine label listing 13% may top 14%.