Do you know how to read a wine label properly? If you sometimes have trouble, your not alone. Not only do wine labels have quite alot of information on them, but the labels themselves often use different terms. The wine labels in different countries are set up different as well and often do not have the same types of information in the same places. With a little bit of understanding however, and if you take some time to really examine your wine labels, you will get better at reading them.

Most wine labels end up containin the same basic information. This of course includes the wine maker, the country or region where the grapes were grown (often known as the appellation), the vintage (the year the grapes were harvested, not the year the wine was bottled), and the variety (what type of grapes the wine was made from – commonly known as the type of wine). The alcohol content of the wine is also included on the wine label. There are other things that are sometimes included on a wine label, depending on the country where it was bottled. For example, wines bottled in the United States are required to have consumer warnings and the name and address of the bottler. Wine labels also can include the ripeness of the grapes, information about the estate or winery where it was bottled, and any other information the wine maker wants to include.

Whats The Big Deal?

What once was just used to mark what was in the bottle, wine labels have become a spot to showcase artwork and make for a unique collection for a wine lover. While they may seem like an odd collection, the artwork on wine labels can be extremely beautiful, and a label may remind you of a special trip or an important event where you enjoyed the wine. And wine labels are certainly easier to save and display than empty bottles! Collecting wine labels has become so popular that manufacturers have even developed special cases to display them, and wine labels actually have their own category on eBay! Avid collectors often have their own websites or blogs devoted to sharing their collection with others.

Can I Make My Own Wine Label?

Wine labels can also be customized for many purposes. There are numerous companies out there that allow you to create your own piece of artwork to use as a wine label. Bottles of wine with custom labels are very popular at weddings or anniversaries, where guests can drink wine that celebrates the couple of honor. Not only that, but often smaller half bottles are given out at the event for people to bring home with them. If you are going to make your own wine, you definately need to have your own custom label made and its really not that expensive it turns out. I have also been at a wedding where they just soaked off the labels from store bought wines and then applied their own labels with a picture of the bride and groom on it. It turned out to be a big hit.

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