The world of wine labeling is confusing. It’s not that there isn’t enough information on labels, it’s just that each country - and often each wine region within a country - has its own system for presenting important information on the label. Let’s look at a few examples from around the world of wine: This label is a typical French label. with all the information you need to establish the quality level and origins of the wine:

French Labels

Generally, most wine regions within France follow the same basic principles as shown by the Bordeaux example below. But, there are fundamental and sometimes very subtle differences from region to region.

French Wine Label

Cru Bourgeois is an official classification for Bordeaux.Château Lamothe Bergeron is the name of the wine.1988 is the vintage date (the year of production). 12% is the alcohol level of the wine, and opposite, the bottle volume The Appellation Contrôlée of this wine. A.O.C. or appellation is the sign of highest quality in France. Each wine area his its own controlling body which ensures standards. This particular appellation is Haut-Medoc, a sub district within the Medoc district of Bordeaux. Mis en Bouteille en Château means the wine was made and bottled by the proprietor, not blended by a third party. Usually a good sign. Note: Bordeaux specific labels are presented in greater detail within the regional review section of the guide.

Spanish Labels

Generally, the labels are intended to convey information about the contents within the bottle; however, the majority of the jargon on the bottle has little to do with what you will actually be drinking - tending to confuse the average customer and server. Additionally, the labels will be, almost exclusively, in Spanish making it even more difficult. Here are the most important phrases helping to identify the wine within the bottle.

La Rioja Alta is the producer. Vina Ardanza is the name of the wine and below, the equivalent of Mis en Bouteille au Château: bottled by the proprietor. Reserva is the quality classification of the wine - there are strict rules for what is plain Rioja, Rioja Reserva, and Rioja Gran Reserva. Denominación de Origen Calificada - the official stamp of quality in Rioja.

Spanish Wine Label

German Labels

German wine labels are notoriously difficult to read. Apart from the problems Germany brought upon itself during the 1970s and 80s by bottling huge amounts of over sweetened, cheap wines for the UK market, it has always had another problem with the consumer: its obscure and complicated labeling.

French Wine Label

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer - specified region of origin.1989er - year of vintage Avelsbacher Avelsbach is the Village and Hammerstein the vineyard from which the wine comes. Riesling - grape variety. Kabinett is a degree of quality within the Qualitätswein mit Prädikat category, which is Germany’s highest category. Lesser wines are marked simply, “Qualitätswein” or “QbA”. Below this comes “Tafelwein”. AP number - strict legal tests have been completed on this wine. Erzeugerabfüllung - the equivalent of “Mis en Bouteille au Château” again - producer bottled.

United States Labels

All wine bottle labeling in the U.S. falls under the guidelines set by the American Viticultural Area definitions and thus follow typical varietal standards. Although reading the label is not difficult, some of the rules can be confusing. Here is a summary of American wine labeling laws.

Growing Region
85 percent of grapes must come from the specified A.V.A.

Varietal Content
General: 75 percent must be listed varietal
Oregon: 100 percent must be listed varietal with exception of Cabernet Sauvignon which requires 90 percent varietal.

Estate Bottled
100 percent of grapes must come from vineyards owned or controlled by the winery, in the same A.V.A. as the winery.

”Vintner Grown” or “Proprietor Grown”
Used if the vineyard is in a different A.V.A. from winery

Vintage
95 percent of grapes must come from the specified vintage