Reading Wine Labels

Choosing the perfect bottle doesn't have to be an art

Do you ever find yourself staring at that wine rack, a wine list in a restaurant, or one of our overview pages, overwhelmed by all the choices? You're not alone. A wine label can sometimes seem written in a secret language only sommeliers understand. But today, we're going to change that.

The front is more than just a pretty picture

The first thing you see is, of course, that beautiful front cover. But look beyond that beautiful design. The name of the winery and the region already tell you a whole story. A Rioja from Spain, for example? It often has those characteristic vanilla notes from the American oak barrels. A Bordeaux? Think elegant tannins and black fruit. But the front doesn't always tell the whole story. Just look at the examples in the image above. Often, you also need the back cover. Together, the two can often go a long way.

1. The house and the wine

You'll often find this on every label: the house (who produces the wine?) and the wine itself (which bottle from their collection). These are often the larger words and/or names on the label. But it can still be confusing sometimes, because there's no order or strict logic. Now, you can often decipher the house name because it appears again on the back.

2. The Year, what impact did it have again?

The vintage on your bottle helps you understand the impact of weather on the wine. Of course, that requires a fair amount of knowledge and memory, so don't let it confuse you too much. Very specifically, for example:

• 2022 in Italy? A warm year, which will have an impact on the fruit in the wine; it will likely be a bit more stewed, riper earlier, etc.
• 2014? That was more challenging, with lower temperatures resulting in a less-than-stellar harvest. But sometimes those years yield surprisingly aging wines, thanks to better acidity and winemaker choices. Many wineries, for example, don't make their top wine in a bad year, but the grapes that would normally go into it disappear into their second, third, and so on.

Of course, you just have to know or remember this kind of information. If you don't, you can still fall back on a few basic rules.

• No year on the bottle? => Don't worry, these wines are made to be enjoyed now. Perhaps this is because the house strives for a very consistent flavor and blends vintages (Champagnes often come without a vintage, for example).
• Younger wine (i.e., a more recent vintage) => Little time to develop, so primary flavors (e.g., fruit) still dominate. Freshness, tannins, and acidity will still be at their peak.
• Older wine (so further in the past) => More time to develop, so secondary and tertiary flavours come through (earth, leather, truffle, honey, coffee, etc.) Tannins will soften, as will acids which often become a little less sharp.

3. The fine print

Alcohol percentage
The back often offers a wealth of information. The alcohol percentage sometimes tells you more than you think, but it's usually overstated. A wine with 14.5% alcohol? That's certainly not a very light wine. But many Italian wines often approach that percentage and can definitely still contain a lot of acidity, making them refreshing. Amarones with percentages up to 17% are, of course, a different story.

345/2134
Yes, those numbers above don't mean anything to you now, and they could be different. However, some wines, with limited editions, list how many bottles were produced in that specific year and which of those bottles you're holding. This could be an indication you've got something special, but it's far from a guarantee. At least, something limited.

Contents
We don't need to explain much about this, but how much is in the bottle?

Dosage
Sparkling wines are specific. Sugar is added to sparkling wines, which determines the flavor: Brut, Demi-Sec, etc. We'll explain more in a separate article.

4. The secret codes of regions and winemakers

Here's where things get interesting. 'Reserva' sounds fancy, but what does it really mean? In Spain, such a wine must be aged for at least three years, one of which must be in oak. But in Italy? The rules are quite different there, and in the case of wines like Brunello and Barolo, it means at least an additional year in oak. And then there are terms like 'Grand Cru'—prestigious, certainly, but does that always justify the higher price? Below is an overview of some of these terms:

• Monopole

  A monopole is a vineyard that is entirely owned by one producer, which is particularly unusual in Burgundy due to the fragmented ownership structure.
  
  

• Crianza (Spain)

  Crianza wines must mature for at least 2 years, of which at least 6 months in oak.
  
  

• Reserve (Spain)

  Reserva wines are aged for at least 3 years, including at least 1 year in oak.
  
  

• Great Reserve (Spain)

  Gran Reserva wines are aged for a minimum of 5 years, of which at least 2 years in oak and 3 years in bottle.
  
  

• Riserva (Italy)

  Riserva is an Italian classification for wines that age longer than the standard. The exact requirements vary by region and type of wine (for example, Barolo Riserva must age for at least 62 months, of which at least 18 months in wood, but is often 2 years).
  
  
  
  

• Cru (Italy)

  In Italy, "cru" doesn't have a formal, legally protected meaning like it does in France. It's used informally for specific vineyards, but it's not an official classification level.
  
  

• Grand Cru (Bordeaux and Burgundy)

  • Bordeaux: Grand Cru refers to the highest classification in the official rankings (such as the 1855 Classification and that of Saint-Émilion).
  • Burgundy: Grand Cru is the highest appellation level, awarded to the very best vineyards.
    
    

• 1er Cru (Bordeaux and Burgundy)

  • Bordeaux: 1er Cru (Premier Cru) is the second level after Grand Cru in some classifications, but in the 1855 Classification, "Premier Grand Cru Classé" is the highest level for Médoc and Sauternes (a separate classification exists in Saint-Émilion).
  • Burgundy: Premier Cru is the level immediately below Grand Cru.
    
    

• Pre-Phylloxera

  This refers to wines made from vines that predate the phylloxera plague (late 19th century). This is extremely rare.
  
  

• White of White

  Champagne or sparkling wine made exclusively from white grapes, usually Chardonnay.
  
  

• White of the Black

  Champagne or sparkling wine made from red grapes (usually Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier), where the juice has not had any color contact with the skins.

5. Grape varieties

Many people swear by certain grapes. "I only drink Chardonnay," you might hear. But did you know that the Chablis you love so much is also just a Chardonnay? It's just made very differently from that full-bodied Californian version. It's like the same actor in two completely different roles.

The real value of a label

Let's face it: a beautiful label sells. But some of the best wines have the simplest labels. And vice versa. It's like that old saying: you can't judge a book by its cover. Although... sometimes you can.

The beauty of wine is this: there are no wrong choices, only new experiences. Start with what you like and use the label as a compass, not a rule. Because ultimately, it's about your enjoyment, not what others think you should drink.

Conclusion: Train (and trust) your Taste

A wine label is a kind of guide, but of course, you make the choice. No matter how much a label tells you, the most important thing is that you like it. It doesn't matter whether something is a Grand Cru, Monopole, Vintage, or whatever. The label can be a tremendous help in confirming your direction. And, of course, it helps you gradually learn what you really like, whether that's a modest house wine or a prestigious Grand Cru.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does 'Brut' mean on a Champagne label?
   "Brut" means the champagne is very dry, with little residual sugar. Perfect for those who don't like sweet things.
   
   
2. Why do some wines not have a vintage?
   These wines are often a blend of different years, made for consistent quality and immediate consumption.
   
   
3. Is a screw cap inferior to a cork?
   Absolutely not. In fact, for many wines, a screw cap is even better. It provides excellent protection against oxidation.
   
   
4. What does 'Bio' or 'Organic' mean on the label?
   This means the grapes are grown organically, without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. In short, the winemaker leaves more to nature in some cases and uses natural measures to influence the harvest more intelligently.
   
   
5. How important is alcohol percentage?
   The alcohol percentage can say something about body, and sometimes also about style in combination with the type of wine, but to be honest it is far from related to quality and taste.