| The challenge of reading and understanding the | | | | Alcohol content: Percentage of alcohol contained in the |
| information that is printed on the label of a wine bottle | | | | bottle |
| is more than a little daunting. There was a time when | | | | Declaration of sulfites: Required on all wine bottled |
| the label on a wine bottle simply told the user what | | | | after 1987 |
| kind of wine was in the bottle and where and when | | | | Government health warning: Varies from country to |
| the wine had been made. That is just no longer the | | | | country. The health warning required by the United |
| case. | | | | States reads: |
| We have a rapidly growing number of rules and | | | | "According to the Surgeon General, women should not |
| regulations regarding the labeling of all products, and | | | | drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of |
| maybe more regulations regarding the labeling of wine, | | | | the risk of birth defects." |
| than you can possibly imagine. Next time you go to the | | | | "Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs the ability |
| grocery store, just look at the label on a can of green | | | | to drive any motorized vehicle or operate machinery |
| beans. There's more information there than anybody | | | | and may also cause health problems." |
| needs, but it is the law that every piece of that | | | | Dietary information: The calorie, carbohydrate, and |
| information be made available on the label. The same | | | | protein content per serving must be listed. |
| is true of wine labels. | | | | Wait, that isn't all. Also required are: |
| Wine labels now contain information designed to avoid | | | | * The place/region the grapes are grown |
| legal entanglements. The requirements vary from | | | | * The main grape variety used |
| country to country, and that is just the beginning. | | | | * The style of wine |
| Minimum wine label requirements include: | | | | Then every country has additional rules and regulations |
| Brand name: This must be prominently displayed | | | | regarding the labels used on wines. |