The label says it all
The label on a bottle of wine helps create an image around the wine and
is designed by a winery to entice the consumer to chose their wine. A
wine label is also meant to give information to the consumer. Contrary
to some wine labels, which are so complicated that they raise more questions
than they answer, California wine labels are clear and easy to understand.
Here is what you should know.
Name
This can be the winery or the brand name
Wine
varietal
The names of one or more grape varietals may be used only if the wine
is also labeled with an appellation of origin. Only if at least 75% of
the grapes used for that wine is from one specific varietal, Zinfandel
for instance, can the wine label mention "Zinfandel". The name
of two or more varietals may be used if the percentage of the wine derived
from each varietal is shown on the label.
Appellation
of origin
This is the region where the wine came from.
Specific
Vineyard
If the name of an individual vineyard is shown, 95 percent of the grapes
in this wine must come from that vineyard. The names of specific vineyards
may only be used on a label in conjunction with an officially recognized
Appellation of Origin, such as a county or a viticultural area.
Vintage
year
This is the year in which the grapes were harvested. At least 95% of this
wine must have been derived from grapes harvested in that year and the
wine must be labeled with an appellation of origin.
Alcohol
The alcohol percentage of most California wines is usually between 12%
and 14%.
Name
and address of producer
"Bottled by" followed by the name and address of the bottler
is mandatory on a wine label. The following words may also be stated in
addition to the words "bottled by":
- "Produced by" or "Made by" means that the named
winery fermented at least 75% of the wine at the stated address
- "Blended by" means that the named winery mixed the wine
with other wines at the stated address
- "Cellared by", "Vinted by", or "Prepared
by" means that the named winery subjected the wine to cellar treatment
at the stated address
