The Basics of Reading a Wine Label

The Basics of Reading a Wine Label

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four bottles showing wine labeling

Newbie wine drinkers are often unaware that labels actually contain a lot of useful information. Knowing how to read the details found on wine bottles can make a big difference in your buying habits. Read on and learn how to make the most of your next purchase.

Producer

Typically found at the top part of the label, the name of the wine producer is very important for serious wine enthusiasts. To be safe, it is always best to go with products produced by popular companies. This minimizes the risk of encountering bad-tasting wine by inexperienced makers. You can’t go wrong if you choose bigger brands with proven track records of delivering quality wine.

Region

Next, the region informs you about the location where the grapes were sourced. Watch out for quotation marks because they indicate the exact vineyard that produced the grapes. As with the name of the company, this bit of information is also essential towards finding a good bottle of wine. You will notice that those produced by top vineyards in the industry are more expensive and for valid reasons. Besides, high quality grapes always mean high quality wine.

Appellation Credential

Appellation credentials, on the other hand, are specifically given to regional producers that follow certain requirements in terms of wine and grape production. The standards vary depending on the product’s country of origin but you can be sure that those with appellation credentials are great.

Vintage

The vintage portion of the label tells you about the exact year the grapes were harvested. One mistake among new buyers is that they think that it is always better to go for older wines than newer ones. This is not always true since most wine products are meant to be consumed soon anyway. This means wine that are too old are not as tasty anyway so don’t even bother.

Alcohol Content

Also, take note that higher alcohol content usually does not denote higher quality of wine. In fact, it is often true that those with huge amounts of alcohol do not have a balanced taste. Generally, you will see that table wines have about 15% of alcohol content or higher. These are good picks but it can actually be better if you go for those with a 14% rating or lower.

With these simple reminders, you will be able to have the best wine buying experience. Surprise your drinking buddies and make the most of your money at the same time!

Author’s Bio:

Stephen John is a food and wine enthusiast. He blogs about food, wine, and culture and writes wine reviews for a living. He loves to travel and try exotic cuisines of different countries. You can check out fantastic red wine via WineMarket site.

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