One of the most baffling subjects that confronts the budding wine enthusiast is the deciphering of the myriad of information contained on the bottle label, especially that contained on wine bottles from European countries. Once the basic rules are taken on board it becomes a lot simpler. Whereas most New World countries put details of the grape varieties on the front label, a lot of European regions do not, and as this is the most basic of information for taste purposes why is this the case?

European winemakers tend to put more emphasis on the place of origin. For instance, a Bordeaux red typically wont say 'Cabernet' or 'Merlot' on the front label, but instead have the name of the chateau where it was made, and usually the part of Bordeaux where it was made, for example Haut-Medoc. Similarly a Sancerre is totally Sauvignon Blanc, but an in depth analysis of the label will leave you none the wiser. For the French the important factor is that the wine comes from Sancerre in the Loire valley and for them it is inbred knowledge that white Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc.

Moving south to Spain, red Rioja declares itself as Rioja on the label, not Tempranillo the grape variety used, whilst in Italy most Tuscan reds have no information on the Sangiovese grape that is most widely used in these wines. Given this mish-mash of information it is no wonder that many of us head for that bottle with the label announcing it is a Chardonnay Viognier from the Ironstone Vineyard of California.

It is clear then that the Europeans believe the most important factor influencing a wine's character is the soil, climate and culture of the area where the grape is grown and this is particularly important to single-vineyard wines who make the most of capturing the essence of a particular area of land. So whereas a French winemaker will see his wine as reflecting the character of a particular region, a New World winemaker mad about grape varieties will consider that soil is just the growing medium in which the fruit grows, and that the grape variety and hard work in the winery are what really counts. Today these two opposing approaches to wine labelling are moving closer together with New World producers emphasising their regionality and its characteristics, whilst European, even the parochial French winemakers possibly prompted by the wholesalers and the supermarkets are labelling their wines more clearly.

About the Author

James Pendleton is a lover of the better things in life. For more information on wine visit Wine Capital

A Short Dutty Wine Summary

A Guide To Cheap Wine Racks


There is a difference between "cheap wine racks" and ones that are made cheaply. A made cheap wine rack is of poor quality. Often these cheap wine rac...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Dutty Wine Products we recommend

The FTD Palm - Standard


Send the tropics to them! This palm plant adds a grace note to any home or office. C38-2962S


Price: 39.99 USD



News about Dutty Wine

Wine Notes

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:16:02 PDT
Three guys from Davis - My new friend Danial tells me that the Golan Heights Winery was founded by three guys from Davis. It seems so. the 2006 Yarden Mount Hermon Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc has a beautiful smooth, balanced character with lots of great black fruit flavors - perfectly balanced. The 2004 Fuentespina Granate from the Ribera Del Duero region in Spain is bigger and much more rustic than Israeli wine, but it has lots of character and would b

Israeli Wines Gain in Quality, Popularity (Beverage World)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:49:12 PDT
Wine is an integral part of the Passover seder, the celebration marking the deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. What more appropriate wine to serve than that made in Israel?

Shaking all over (The San Francisco Examiner)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:38:56 PDT
SAN FRANCISCO ( Map , News ) - Last week, I wrote about bargain reds in the aftermath of tax day, so to be fair, this week I’m going to comment on bargain whites. As we head into warmer weather, I am sure many of you are getting into the mood for white wines. It’s exciting. White wine equals spring.

Even Chocolates Promote Green...

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:13:17 PDT
I recently had the chance to sample the wonderfully tasting organic chocolates from Vosges Haut-Chocolate who just happens to be a company with a "green" mission (click here to see for yourself..). Indulging in a decadent chocolate will ALWAYS be a treat for me. I consider myself a lifelong chocoholic, so people who don't quite care for it continue to be an enigma. And at Vosges Haut-Chocolate, theres so much to choose from! From the mini exotic candy bars (the Red Fire bar with chipotle chilli

Disneynature To Produce Nature Documentaries (NBC 4 Los Angeles)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:34:07 PDT
Walt Disney Studios introduces a new film label that will produce nature documentaries, with one of the first film projects titled "Earth" and set for release on Earth Day 2009.


Aging Wine
Wine Ratings

Labels: Winemaking | Wineries

&type=page">