The 10 Most Important Wine Label Terms

For the average wine consumer, there is a plethora of intimidation associated with wine buying. This is a feeling that is most often associated with not understanding wine labels. New world wines tend to make it easier - wines bottled in Australia, South America and the United States are often more direct in their presentation of the type of wine and the name of the vineyard. On the other hand, old world wine labels like those from France, Italy, Spain and Germany carry with them loads of classifications, harvest-types, town names, vineyard titles and producer idiosyncrasies - all in a foreign language. While these labels embody the wonderfully classic aesthetic associated with a good looking wine label, they almost always cause a cocking of the head for the average wine buyer.
In an effort to make the process less of a mess and more fun for those unmoved with the prospect of memorizing a pocket dictionary worth of French, Italian, Spanish and German wine terms, here is a list of the top ten things to look for on a wine label. The first five are things you want to look for, and the last five are items that should raise a flag of caution or don't mean what you think they should.
i. Poor Soil / Deprived of Water
This will be something you read on the back of the wine label if there is a description. Sure - it sounds counter-intuitive, but wine that is grown in poor soil and deprived of water irrigation is actually likely to be of higher quality. Why? Because when a vine is deprived of excess water and nutrients, it will channel more of its energy into ripening the fruit rather than producing bright and vibrant leaves. The result is a higher quality grape harvest.
ii. Cru
If there's one term you should learn when looking for a good French wine, it's Cru. The infamous wine regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace in France will carry the term Cru somewhere on the label to indicate that the wine is from a town or producer of high quality.

iii. Traditional Method
This applies primarily to sparkling wine made in the United States and Australia. If you see Traditional Method on the label of a new world wine it means that it is made in the same way as traditional Champagne, and will often be less expensive!
iv. Vieilles Vignes
Similar to the concept of vines grown in poor soil with minimal irrigation, vines that are considered old vines have more concentrated juices. The result is a vine that produces wines with denser, richer flavors. And as the juice is more robust, so usually are the other aspects of the grape, including the tannin and the acidity. A reference to Old vines either on the front or the back label is a positive indication of the wine's quality. This will be called Vieilles Vignes on French Wines.
v. Estate Bottled
On a bottle of French wine, you will see this labeled as Mis en Bouteille au Chateau, Mis en Bouteille au Domaine, or Mis en Bouteille au Propriete. The concept of an estate bottled wine is that it was grown, produced and bottled at the same location. There is an inference that the wine maker takes a great deal of pride in all aspects of the wine making process and wants the world to know that he or she oversees every element of the wine's production. As such, it is typically a reference to higher quality wine.
vi. Odd Sounding and Unfamiliar Wine Awards
This is something that should raise a red flag. Australia notoriously has problems with wine makers placing gold, silver or bronze stickers on their wine labels that boast winning an award at an esoteric wine festival. Until very recently, there was no regulation in place for what type of award was worthy of placing on a wine label. If you do see award-winning stickers, make sure that the event sounds familiar or at least sounds large. You don't want to end up with a wine that won an award at a bake sale.
vii. Flowery Marketing Terms
Most consumers have no problem identifying marketing adjectives from legitimate inferences to why a product is high-quality. Be wary of terms that a marketer developed while staying up late at the local café in the midst of a brain-storming frenzy. Anything that is trying to sound impressive by using words like exceptional, from wine maker's personal bin, or limited release is most likely trying to sell the wine based on gimmicks rather than on its quality.
viii. Grand Vin
A Grand Vin term on a French wine label simply refers to the fact that the wine is the primary one produced at that vineyard. It is often confused with Vieilles Vignes (Old Vine), which is a reflection of quality. Grand Vin is a neutral term that will give you little indication either way.

ix. Vague Geological References
High quality wines are usually a reflection of the unique characteristics of the small plot of land on which the grapes were grown. Wine makers will want to highlight this fact by referencing their specific region or town and the vineyard name. Be cautious of wine labels that reference a vague geographical space without getting more specific. South-Eastern Australia is a notorious labeling term you will find on Australian wines, which is about as specific as saying This Wine Was Made on Planet Earth. South-Eastern Australia includes the majority of the country's wine growing regions. Similarly, a wine that only says California Wine, or French Wine without honing in on towns or more isolated regions should be avoided.
x. Superieur
This labeling term causes confusion similar to Grand Vine listed above. It sounds cool but all it really refers to is the fact that a French or an Italian wine has a higher alcohol content than what it is traditionally known for.

Choose the Best Wine

There is no fixed answer as to what can be called the best wine. What can be classified to be the best? Although, the sheer variety of wines makes it such an amazing drink, the question of choosing the better or designating one superior over the other crops up every now and then.
Those keen to know the answer, luckily there are a set of guidelines, which are set for a wine to qualify as quality wine. The quality of wine is measured in four essential qualities namely- appearance, fragrance, sensation and finish. A wine that looks more presentable has a pleasing effect. Which is savoury gives a lasting thought.
When it comes to red wine, it is important to keep in mind the serving temperatures. If we serve the wine too cold, it will start tasting astringent and if it is anywhere above the serving temperature, the taste of alcohol in the wine would take over. Keeping this in mind, the ideal temperature is said to be between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
A wine looks its best color when set against a white background. Pairing of wine with the right kind of food is very important. But it is a misconception that wines cannot be mixed and matched with different food. It is all a matter of the palate and flavour interaction. While some wines accentuate some flavours, others can actually do the exact opposite. It is a matter of your sensory organs coming to your rescue here. While doing so, we should also consider that if the wine is heavy or light. More often than not, full bodied wines are served with heavy food.
A wine maker has all the say in how he wants his wine to end up like. This he does by altering some factors here and there. The tannin content in wines would define if the wine is light-bodied, medium or heavy bodied. Generally categorised as full bodied wine, the top Red wines include - Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Chianti, Barolo, Barberesco, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Malbec, Grenache, and Bordeaux. Cherry, plum, black berry and currant are common flavour descriptors for red wine. The method, if to describe, would require a whole new internet database, so we better leave it with the wine maker.
White wine is generally a sparkling yellow or light golden in colour. The most famous white wine is the American Chardonnay, which is made from the chardonnay grape of France, but is grown in California as well. When served along with grilled Barbeque, it changes the approach dramatically. Although, red wine is the dominant wine, white wine is catching up with it. Today more and more varieties of grapes besides chardonnay are coming up. Sauvignon Blanc is pungent and tingles you with aromas that range between grassy, peppery and fruity (citrus, gooseberry). This grape in New Zealand can take a variety of forms making it one of the most desired. People who are inclined only towards red wine are restricting themselves to lesser variety and change.

Types of Red Wine and Side Effect

Wines are of many types. Red wine is a type of wine which is extracted from red, dark purple or blue colored grapes. This wine is red in color. Red wine is produced by fermenting grape juice. The red color of the wine is due to the tannins present in the wine which is a chemical compound. Red wine is stronger than white wine. Red wine is the most popular wine compared to other wines and is produced all over the world. There are almost 50 varieties of red wines like Australian Shiraz, Syrah, Chianti, Bordeaux, Sauvignon, etc.
Red wine comes in different flavors some of which are listed here:
Cherry, Plum, Blackberry, Raspberry, Currant, Raisin, Fig, Pepper, Clove, Cinnamon, Coffee, Cocoa, Mocha, Tobacco, Leather, etc.
Types of red wine
The type of Red wine depends on the area in which it is produced and the type of grape used for extracting the wine.
Barbera: Barbera is available only in USA.
Merlot:
Merlot, a red wine, is known for its light color and soft taste. It can be served with any kind of food. It is a very light drink and is not strong at all. ‘Merlot’ is cultivated in countries like Romania, Chile, Washington, Italy and Australia. They are also present in herbal and medicinal form.
Syrah:
Syrah, also called as ‘Shiraz’, is mostly served with meat, beef or pastas. They are mostly dark colored wines. Syrah is widely cultivated in the regions of France, Australia, and California. One of the main ingredients of ‘syrah’ is ‘aroma’ which is very good for health.
Sangiovese:
Sangiovese goes well with Italian dishes and is available in valley areas.
Cabernet sauvignon:
Cabernet sauvignon is produced from oak. This red wine is beneficial in preventing cardiovascular problems and also cancer because of its medicinal properties.
Zinfandel:
Zinfandel is the native wine of California because it is produced only in California. This is very hot and spicy in taste and goes well with meat, pizzas, and pastas.

Wine and Health
Consumption of wine to a limited extent may be beneficial to one’s health. It removes bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol while reducing blood clotting, which is used to prevent a number of heart diseases and leukemia, because it acts as an antioxidant. They are used to prevent Parkinson’s disease because of presence of ‘resveratrol’ in the wine. Red wine contains higher amount of flavonoids which is very useful. Melatonin present in red wine is used to cure a number of skin diseases. Over consumption of wine may lead to many health problems like:
1) Red wine headache (RWD) - It is a disease caused due to excessive consumption of red wine, which may further lead to nausea.
2) Consumption of red wine is hazardous during pregnancy. It also increases the chances of breast cancer.
3) Diabetes
4) Brain migraines

A Little Bit About White Wine

Did you know that one grape cluster (around 75 grapes) gives us one delicious glass of white wine? Therefore 4 clusters (300) give us a whole bottle to ourselves! Can you just imagine if we had our own vineyard, the possibilities are endless!

Have you ever stopped and wondered what the biggest bottle of wine one can buy? It's called a Nebuchadnezzar and contains 15 litres; this is equivalent to an astonishing 20 regular bottles of white wine! It gives us a whole new meaning to ordering just one bottle of wine.

The reason for my new found interest in any one particular type of alcohol is I recently attended a wine tasting event, not the best place for a self proclaimed alcoholic to attend, but needs must.

Where there's free alcohol, you most certainly will find at least one wised up alcoholic! As my tolerance is quite high now, whilst others around me got sloshed, would you believe I actually learnt a few things! Some interesting facts I felt compelled to share with the rest of the world!

Red grapes can make red wine and also make white wine, but green grapes are only restricted to making white wine! Unfair a little on the red grapes having to do more work!

This is because the actual colour of red wine comes from the skins of the grapes themselves, and not the actual grape juice, so technically if you wanted to use the red grapes to make white wine, all you would have to do is remove the skins! This is how the majority of the Champagne you drink is made.using red grapes!

From a vegetarian's point of view, I would be careful what wine I would drink. Shocked? Well I was! Gelatine, fish extracts and eggs are used to 'refine' a wine (where it is rid of excess floating bits). This makes it unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans.

In the past cow's blood (I was assured not any more!) was even used in the refining process! Gross.
However after hearing all this, all I could think about was when I could have my next glass, you see all this doesn't bother me, alcohol is alcohol, that sweet aromatic flavour, the sensational warm glow I get inside me upon the sweet grape juice entering my system, far outweighs my ability to care about how its made.

Explained About French Wine

The wines of France are baffling to some. I hear this in my work as a wine salesman all the time. Retail shop owners and restaurant managers hesitate when it comes to French wine. They don't want to offer bottles that have hard-to-pronounce words or require an explanation to the customer, and they don't want to appear snooty.
There certainly are differences between French wine and wine made in the United States. French wine is part of a tradition that links local wines to local foods. French wine, like all European wine is intended to be consumed with food. Because of this, French wine flavor profiles have a range that goes beyond fruit and warm oaky richness to include brisk acidity, more fruit tannin and that sense of place, terroir, as the French would say, that lends an earthy, mineral-ish slightly bitter tang. Then there is the fact that we are most comfortable with labels that list the grape type, and many French wines omit the grape type on their labels. But, for the French, grape type is not as important, the place of origin is the key.
All the grapes that are best known to us, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot etc. are all standard grapes in France. These grape types are the ones that have made their way with most success to wine regions all over the world. They're known as international varietals for that reason. Wherever these grapes are made into wine outside France, the French model is often the goal of perfection.
So, why not drink French wine?
If the system of appellations (wine growing locations) and place names seem complex it may be because we don't make the connection between grape type and place. In France each wine region is closely associated with particular grape types and once that is made clear it's easier to understand French wine.
What's an appellation? This is a French word that refers to a particular agricultural production zone within a geographical region. There are appellations for cheese, chickens and meat products as well as wine in France. They decided as a nation in the 1930's that food and beverage products taste the way they do partly because of the place where the product is made. Since the French came up with this idea every other wine producing country has adopted a similar system. In America we have AVAs, American Viticultural Areas. In France they have AOCs, Appellation d'Origin Controlee. AOC means a wine from a particular place is made in a particular way using specified grape types, and it's controlled and guaranteed by a government council. In France certain grapes are used by law in each region while other grapes are excluded. This makes it pretty easy to identify the grape type of a particular wine if you know where in France it comes from. The vast majority of France's fine wine comes from one of five regions.
Burgundy is a region made up of several appellations in northeastern France. Some large production domestic wines still use the word "Burgundy" even though there is no similarity between what they make and real French Burgundy. You may see the word Bourgogne (either Blanc or Rouge) on a label and that simply means a wine from Burgundy. There are also village wines that have the name of specific villages on their label, and Premier and Grand Cru wines that come from particular vineyards within the neighborhood of a notable village.
Do you like Chardonnay or Pinot Noir? Well, all the white wines of Burgundy are made entirely from Chardonnay and all the red wines of Burgundy are made entirely from Pinot Noir. It's that simple! The individual properties in Burgundy are called Domaines and they are often family owned. You can drink basic Bourgogne, Village level Burgundy and/or Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines that come from specific historical vineyards. The basics of grape type hold up though out Burgundy; white wine is Chardonnay and red wine is Pinot Noir
Bordeaux is a port city on the southwestern Atlantic coast of France that has been a center of wine trade since Roman times. All Bordeaux red wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in combination. The white wines of Bordeaux are based upon Sauvignon Blanc, often in combination with grapes called Semillon and/or Muscadelle. A French person would never make a white wine from Chardonnay in Bordeaux because it wouldn't be a legal Bordeaux wine.
To the west, closer to the Atlantic in the Medoc appellations of Bordeaux Cabernet dominates the blends and to the east, in the right bank appellations of St Emilion and Pomerol, Merlot dominates. The choice of which grape to plant where was decided hundreds of years ago based upon the prevailing weather conditions and soil types. Individual properties are called Chateau, which means house, and many of them are today owned by large corporations that own more than one Chateau. There are quality levels in Bordeaux just as there are in Burgundy. There is basic Bordeaux AC (appellation controlee) and Bordeaux Superieur AC and then there are the classifications of the best Chateaux into categories like Cru Classe, First Cru Classe, Second Cru classe and Grand Cru classe. All these classifications can be red or white wine. It seems complicated and you can get to know them in time but remember the red wines are always Cabernet and Merlot based while the white wines are all Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon based.
The Rhone Valley is in southern France and was founded by Greek and Roman colonists more than two thousand years ago. They were big into wine and they established the predominant grapes early on. The entire region produces far more red wine than white. It's hot here so the dark grapes are better suited. In the northern Rhone Syrah is in charge. The red wines from the appellations of Cote Rotie, Hermitage, Cornas and Crozes Hermitage are mostly 100% Syrah. A little bit of white wine is made from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne in combination. Those white grapes may not be as familiar as others but California wine makers do use them.
The southern Rhone is dominated by Grenache though it is most often blended with Syrah as well as Mourvedre and Cincault and a hand full of others. There are appellations in the south like Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas and Vaqueras. These are all Grenache based red wines. The majority of the Cote du Rhone wines also come from the southern Rhone and they are more affordable for every day. The word "cote" simply means the surrounding area. Remember that the red wines of the northern Rhone are 100% Syrah and the red wines of the southern Rhone are Grenache or blends dominated by Grenache.
Alsace is a region that hugs the German border in northeastern France. It is sheltered by the Voges Mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east so the growing season here is one of the longest and most consistent in France though it is northerly and generally cool. All the best wines of Alsace are white. Riesling is most prominent but Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer are also widely used. Alsace is also the only major French region that actually does put the grape type on the label. So relax and enjoy.
The Loire Valley runs across northern France. The Loire river flows from the south central part of France all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. It's the longest river in France and along the last half of its course is the largest wine producing area. The grape scheme is not quite as simple but its still set in tradition and predictable. More white wine is produced than red because, once again this is pretty far north and fairly cool.
To the east, from the appellations of Sancerre, Pouilly, Quincy and Reuilly come very good Sauvignon Blanc wines. Those first two are the most important to remember for quality. Touraine white wine, from a village further west is also made from Sauvignon Blanc. In the middle part of the region Chenin Blanc takes over. Vouvrey is a village name that, when it appears on labels means Chenin Blanc. It can be dry or very sweet depending upon the style. "Sec" means dry, "Demi-sec" means partly sweet and "Doux" means very sweet. To the west, where the Loire empties into the Atlantic ocean the white grape that dominates is called Muscadet. This wine is very dry, clean and somewhat mineral like in flavor. It is a fantastic wine to have with seafood, raw oysters and such.
Two black grapes are made into red wine in the Loire Valley and they mostly come from the central part of the region. Red wine from the Loire is far more rare but Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir are used to make some very good red wines. A red Sancerre is made from Pinot Noir. The appellations of Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny are noted for their Cabernet Franc wines. Anjou and Anjou-Villages wines are also made from Cabernet Franc.
All that's really left of France* is the Champagne region where sparkling wine is made. The grapes used here are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the same grapes that are used in Burgundy which is a next door neighbor to Champagne. The producers of Champagne are very protective of their name and they don't want anyone outside that region calling their sparkling wine Champagne, even if they use the same grape types and make the wine in exactly the same way. A Champagne can be a "Blanc de Blanc", which means it is made entirely with Chardonnay or a "Blanc de Noir", which means it's made with Pinot Noir grapes. It can be "Brut" which means dry, or it can be "doux" which means it will taste sweeter. Most Champagne is blended from numerous fermented wines, often from more than one year's harvest or "vintage". A vintage Champagne, made entirely from one year's grapes is more rare and more expensive.
It helps us non-Europeans to know that the wines of Europe are made from the same grapes that we've come to recognize from our domestic wine purchases. This is especially true of French wines. There are differences. That's really what makes wine so much fun. And there are a lot of different place names to deal with, but the adventure of discovering new great wines and tasting their interaction with the foods we already like is what wine appreciation is all about.
If you like Cabernet or Merlot try a red Bordeaux. If you like Riesling, try an Alsatian Riesling. If you like Shiraz, try a Syrah from the northern Rhone. Have fun!
note* The French, and a lot of local wine lovers would point out that I've excluded several additional regions. If you start with these five and Champagne, and grow fond of these then it will be natural for you to learn more about places like the Languedoc, the Costieres d'Nimes, Jurancon and some of the others. Don't be afraid to try new things and don't dismiss what you've tasted once or twice too quickly. Life's too short.

Wine Making

So you want to make wine?
Well congratulations! Winemaking is a skill which predates recorded history. If the historics of wine interests you, browse the short "History" section on this site.

Your reasons for making wine are many, we're sure. Perhaps it's the skyrocketing cost of wine. Perhaps it's the lack of quality or selection available in stores. Perhaps you are like us and like to know what the hell is really in the wine that you're drinking. Whatever.
There are two basic ways to begin making wine. One is to use a kit. This is a good, inexpensive, low risk way to learn to make your elixir of choice. Kits come in a variety of types and include instructions on how to make the wine.

The second way is to use real grapes. Much more challenging and expensive with less certain results (for the inexperienced) than a kit but the reward of a successful batch is beyond glee. Imagine someone complimenting your wine and you haughtily reply "Why yes. I made it myself. From grapes, of course." Oh, the gasps of awe and wonder. Admiration and respect. Talk of the town . . . I digress.

Beginners, we highly recommend - nay, insist that you make your first batch from a cheap wine kit unless, of course, your best buddy is an ancient vintner and has freely volunteered to help you each step of the way. Ask your local wine making store to sell you a beginner's package which will include the basic, absolute necessities for making your first batch of wine. Later, as you mature as a home vintner, you can buy all their doodads and trinkets that tempt your eyes and tease your pocket book.

If you plan to make wine from real grapes, you have our admiration and respect. Awe and wonder comes when you send us a bottle. First you need to track down a grape supplier then arrange to have the grapes shipped to you. Be warned that your supplier will give you an approximate delivery date. Grape harvesting is at the whim of the local weather conditions and when your supplier says they're ready now, they're ready NOW. There is no delaying so be prepared by making friends with someone who has a truck and a flexible schedule.

Overviews of making wine by kit or by grape are available under the "Techniques" section of this site so click over to that and remember to sip, not gulp.

Know About Wines

Wine is nothing but a mixture of wild species of grapes, rice and different types of yeasts without the use of sugar, enzymes or any lactic acids. The word "wine" is a Latin word derived from indo-European countries.
Composition of wines: Wines consist of water to a large extent. In addition to this, wines also contain variety of acids such as lactic acids, ethyl acid, minerals such as iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, sulphates and vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin P.

There exist different types of wines according to the base product, two of which are listed below: 1) Fruit wine: ex-apple, berries 2) Vegetable wine: ex- wheat, barley

The production of wines was first found in places of Georgia and Iraq at around 6000 BC to 5000 BC. Traces of wines were also found in Greece, ancient Europe.

Cultivation of wines was started in North East areas at around 3000 BC. Cultivation of red and white wine, as we know them today, first started in Egypt, but wide-scale cultivation of wines began in Rome, which produced the best quality wine. They produced different flavors of wine.

Dry wine is one of the most popular types of wines. During fermentation, when sugar is converted into alcohol, the toxic alcohol kills the yeast and the resulting wine is called as dry wine. Wines are mainly produced from the grape species known as Vitis vinifera.

There exist different types of wines like red wine, white wine etc. They are distinguished on the amount of sugar used and the time required for fermentation.

A few types of wines are listed below: 1) Vintage wines: In order to produce a vintage wine it is a must that at least 95% of the volume of grapes used, are produced in a single year. They are mostly produced in USA. 2) Non vintage wines: They are produced from vintage wines itself. In these, at least 50% of the grapes used should have been produced in the same year. 3) Organic wines: Organic wines are produced from grapes without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. They do not contain any harmful material and are used to cure a number of diseases. 4) Red wines: They are produced from black grapes and are red in color. It prevents cancer and heart diseases because of its anti-inflammatory properties. 5) White wine: They are produced from white grapes; and they are pale yellow in color. When alcohol is added in a wine it is called as fortified wine. Taste of wines depends on the drinker's palate.
Vintage wines are costliest of all wines. They can cost thousands of dollars per bottle. Some of the most expensive wines are Bordeaux and Cult wines.

Production: France is the largest producer of wines. Italy is the second largest producer. Italy is the largest exporter of wines.

Uses: Wine is the most popular beverage, and can also be used as a flavoring agent. Wines also have a good effect on cardiovascular problems. Wines can also used for religious and ritual purposes.