So, you’re in the wine store and you want to buy something new. You have nothing to go by besides the label. Will the label tell you everything you need to know? Well, there are a million caveats and exceptions, but here are 7 things you need to look out for:

1. How to read a Wine Label?
So, you’re in the wine store and you want to buy something new. You have nothing to go by
besides the label. Will the label tell you everything you need to know? Well, there are a million
caveats and exceptions, but here are 7 things you need to look out for:
Country / Region: The region mentions the specific location that the wine is from in a particular
country. Some regions are especially known for some styles of wine or grape varietals. Hence,
it’s important to read the region to pick a good wine.
Grape Varietal: Not all wine labels state the grape varieties, especially Old World wines i.e.
from France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Whereas all New World wines clearly mention the
grape varietal(s) in the wine. It is important to note the grape varietal(s) as that should help you
understand the flavour profile of the wine and make a selection.
Producer: This is the name of the vineyard where this wine is produced. Producers are
identifiable differently from different countries. French wines usually start with “chateau”,
Italian wines with “Domaine” or the name of the wine maker. New world wines state the
producer’s name clearly, right on top.

2. Vintage: This is the year mentioned on the label and is the year that the grapes were harvested
in. This information is important as certain vintages in wine regions are better than the other
vintages. The vast majority of wines at the store are meant to be drunk right away, so you want
to make sure the wine isn’t too old, particularly if you’re buying it expecting lively, fresh
fruitiness.
Brand: This is different from the producer name as vineyards could have different brands in
their portfolio depending on grape varietals, estates, pricing, etc. This is usually stated post the
producer name and could or could not be more prominently displayed as compared to the
producer name.
Tasting Notes: Mentioned on the back label, this gives you the bouquet (smell), palate (taste)
and food pairings for the wine. If you are a novice, this is the best place from which to
understand the flavours of the wine and what kind of food to pair it with.
AOC / DOCG / DOC / DO: These are specific communes or villages within a region that are
known for their particular styles, grapes or types of wines. Wines of a particular AOC or similar
must follow its rules and produce wines of quality to be able to qualify for the AOC. Only then
can they put the AOC name on the label.
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Wine Kart