Wine Label by Jo Pithon Clos des Bois
Much to the annoyance of many a wine lover, wine labels are not consistent in their descriptions. This is, of course, due to the different countries of their origins: different traditions, different languages, etc. But teasing the facts out of a French wine label is an easy task, once you’ve cracked the code.
The Wine-Maker
One of the most prominent bits of information splashed on the label is the wine-maker, or the vineyard from where the grapes were harvested. This may appear in varying places on the label, but it is usually quite prominent. The vineyard may also be labeled. Taken together, if you have a bit of background knowledge, you may be able to judge whether a particular wine has the potential to be worth the money or not.
The Appellation
Wine Label by adactio
In plainer terms, this is a description of where the grapes were grown. If you find the French value of terroir relevant, the concept that certain regions pass along certain flavors and characteristics, knowing the source of your wine is quite important. Legal standards regulate French appellations; when a wine bears the name of a specific region or village in France, there is a guarantee that the wine is truly from that region. Because of this regulation, the varietal is rarely declared on a French wine, as the law requires that only traditional varieties of grapes be grown in traditional wine growing regions.
The Vintage
Reading Wine Label by Bobolink
One of the most important terms listed on the bottle, the vintage is the year the grapes were harvested. Each harvest has different factors which affect the grapes, and so each year produces varying wines from the same vines. Some background knowledge of the quality of each vintage means you can easily distinguish a good wine from a not-so-good one.
Optional Information
A French wine may be ranked by its quality compared to the other wines produced from the same year’s grapes. Based on the region, this term may change. Look for terms such as “grand” or “premier”. A wine may also declare that it was estate-bottled. All this means is that rather than being shipped and then bottled, the wine was bottled on the grounds of the vineyard where it was grown.
Once a wine label is decipherable, your options have increased. You can now select a bottle confidently, and open the bottle without apprehension. Raise your glass in anticipation.
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