| If you are new to the world of wine labels, you may | | | | However, the labels from each country will differ in the |
| be surprised to realize that more and more people | | | | way they arrange these bits of information. For |
| love to receive wine labels as Christmas gifts. | | | | example: |
| To some people, a wine label may be just a bit of | | | | - California - the regional and varietal name will be at |
| paper stuck on a wine bottle, containing bits of | | | | the top. |
| information. The idea of giving wine labels as | | | | - Australia. If you see a "Bin number" on the label this |
| Christmas gifts would make no sense at all to these | | | | probably means it's Australian. It refers to the batches |
| people. But for others, a wine label is much more than | | | | from specific vineyards. |
| that. | | | | - South Africa - the wine labels are simpler. They often |
| For lovers of wine labels, the appeal mainly lies in two | | | | just provide the estate name, the vintage, the grape |
| different things. One is the unique and intriguing designs | | | | variety and the producer. |
| of the labels themselves. The other is the reminder | | | | - German, Spanish and Italian wine labels have the |
| they bring of the worldwide nature of the wine | | | | name of the estate proprietor at the very top. Then in |
| industry. | | | | the next line there is the vintage year, then the name |
| Nowadays, there are very few countries in the world | | | | of the vineyard, the grape variety and style. Italian and |
| that don't produce any wine. But of course there are | | | | Spanish wine labels in addition have a quality statement |
| some countries that have been well known for their | | | | "Reserve". |
| wines for centuries - mainly European countries like | | | | - Burgundy wine labels are the most complex of all. |
| France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal. More | | | | After the merchant name and the appellation come |
| recently they have been joined by others - South | | | | the rating of the vineyards as "grand cru", "premier cru" |
| Africa, USA (particularly California), Australia and Chile, | | | | and basic appellation. The label will then have the |
| for example. | | | | phrase mis en bouteille (="bottled") followed by the |
| All these countries have variations in their wine labels. | | | | information about whether the wine was bottled on the |
| Looking at the label and seeing where the wine comes | | | | estate itself or elsewehere. |
| from greatly adds to the excitement of opening a | | | | When you hold a wine bottle in your hand, you're |
| bottle of wine. What's more, seeing where the wine is | | | | holding a little bit of that country - its fruit, its sunshine, |
| from often provides more idea about how the wine will | | | | its people. And it's the label that gives the first indication |
| taste than does the actual information on the label. | | | | of what country it is - and you get a little bit of the |
| Wherever in the world the wine comes from, there | | | | same excitement and romance as if you were |
| are four basic pieces of information that must be on | | | | traveling there! |
| the label: | | | | So this is the reason for the infinite variety of wine |
| | | | labels - all those different countries, and so many |
| 1. Appellation - the place where the grapes are grown. | | | | vineyards and winemakers, each with its special |
| 2. Varietal - the main type of grape used. | | | | design. You can never get bored with wine labels - |
| 3. Generic - the style of wine. | | | | and wine labels as Christmas gifts bring a little bit of |
| 4. Proprietary - the owner and creator of the wine or | | | | that sunshine and excitement into a dark winter's day! |
| brand. | | | | |