The Wine Enthusiast

How to read a wine label in a foreign language – or even in English? Meanings of terms often vary across countries – for example, “estate-bottled” does not mean the same thing the United States as it does in France. But spend a little time to read a label pays. Hiding in it is valuable information on the type and quality of wine.

United States:

1. The brand name or cellar.
2. Vineyard name. At least 85 percent of the grapes must come from this vineyard.
3. Name of variety (eg, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon) wine is labeled by grape variety. By law, it must contain at least 75 percent of that variety, for example (, Chenin Blanc must contain 75 per cent of Chenin Blanc grapes).
4. Estate-bottled. The grapes were grown in a county, by the same producer. The phrase “made and bottled” means that a producer has at least 10 per cent of wine – the rest can come from anywhere.
5. Vintage (year). At least 95 percent of grapes used for produce the wine were harvested in the year.
6. Other states (size of the bottle, alcohol content, etc..) If you see the words “table wine” percentage of alcohol must be mentioned.

France:

1. Brand name or business succession. The producer of wine.
2. Regional name. In France, wine is marked by region. Burgundy wine comes from the Burgundy region, but it could be made of a mixture of several kinds of grapes.
3. Estate-bottled. The grapes were grown and produced on the field.
4. AC or VDQS: government guaranteed that French wine is authentic.
5. Perhaps Cru or Premier Cru. Better than Common quality grapes.
6. Vintage.
7. Other declarations (the bottle size, sender, etc..)
8. Term. Place of origin.

Germany:

1. Name of village where the wine was made, is ending in ER. For example, wine is called Wehlen Wehlener.
2. Vineyard (Weinberg in German).
3. Variety grape.
4. Indication of drought. Trocken, meaning dry Halbtrocken, demi-sec.
5. Perhaps ng ¼ ErzeugerabfullÃ, which means “to bottle the Castle. “
6. Weingut: cave.

Kiya Sama is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers

How To Read A Wine Label