09/01/08 Understanding the Label

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Today we will begin discussing reading and understanding a wine's label. I must begin by saying that the visual appeal of the label has very little to do with the quality of the wine. The first thing to learn from a label, can also be one of the most confusing, and that is what kind of wine is it? Here in the United States we name wines for the kind of grapes that make them. If the wine is made of Chardonnay grapes, it will most often state Chardonnay on the label. However, if the wine is from France or Italy it may not state the grape, it will likely identify the region the wine came from. Chardonnay from France may be from areas such as Chablis or Bordeaux. To know that the wine is a Chardonnay you would have to know that the white grape most commonly grown in Chablis or Bordeaux is Chardonnay. If you aren't clear about this, never hesitate to ask for help from your wine merchant. Next, take a look at the age of the wine by looking at the year on the label. That will let you know the year the grapes were grown. You will also notice the name of the region and vineyard where the grapes were grown. Take note of this as you may find that you enjoy wines from a specific area. So start by figuring out what kind of wine you're looking at, check the vintage and notice where it is from. My hope is that you find yourself trying new wines that you have never heard of. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net thanks for joining us on today's Vine to Wine.