• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • The Company
    • Experience
    • Our Team
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Contact

CORALRANGE

We're changing the game in hotel owner representation. We’ll give your property that singular edge, challenge the status quo, and turn independent hotels into market leaders while providing the oversight required.

How to Read a Wine Label – And Not Just Pick a Fancy Label

By Jasmine Kouly

How to Read a Wine Label – And Not Just Pick a Fancy Label

Share565
Tweet
+1
Share36
601 Shares

We’ve all been through the experience of staring at the rows and rows of wines in the shop, and wandering, “which one should I buy?” Although wine labels can be beautifully designed with exquisite calligraphy or enchanting pictures, the information on the label can help you to choose the perfect bottle or have you place it back on the shelf.

The first thing to note is the difference between Old World wines and New World wines. Old World wines are wine growing regions traditionally in Europe, while New World wines refer to all other countries such as USA, Australia, South Africa etc.

Here are some tips on reading a wine label:

  1. Variety or Appellation – The region will tell you what type of grapes were used in the wine. This really applies to Old World wines, because the bottle will never indicate the grape varietal. For example, Chablis will never write Chardonnay on the bottle – Chardonnay being the grape variety. The same concept applies for Bordeaux. Any wine produced in this region will be able to write “Bordeaux” on the bottle, and if you don’t know what grapes are grown in Bordeaux, you’ll never know what’s in the bottle! Most common grapes grown in Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. New World wines however, almost always indicate the grape variety on the bottle, stating “Sauvignon Blanc”, “Moscato”, etc. In addition, it will still always state where the wine was produced.
  2. Region – Generally, wines that are produced in larger vineyards are usually “value wines”, as opposed to wines from very small or specific vineyards typically indicate that the wine is of higher quality. Therefore, the price varies between the two. For example, if a bottle of wine simply states “California”, compared to a wine that states “Napa Valley”, the Napa Valley wine will almost always be more refined and cost more.
  3. Alcohol level – Wines vary in alcohol, and this percentage is always written on the label. Although it doesn’t seem like it may affect the wine, the ABV (alcohol by volume) actually says a lot about the wine, as it can give an idea as to how rich, concentrated, big, or heavy the wine may taste. Wines that have a higher ABV are usually made from riper grapes (more sugar that turns into alcohol).

There are many other aspects on the label that can affect your decision. In countries such as Spain and Italy, there are additional rules that are followed. For example, in Spain, “Reserva” or “Gran Reserva” can sometimes be seen on red wine bottles. This is because Spain follows a concept of “aging the wine for you”. This means, the wine is aged (either in the bottle or the barrel, or both) and stored at the producer’s vineyard. It is not released for distribution until the wine has reached its perfect flavor point. Reserva wines are not released until they’ve been aged for a minimum of 3 years, with at least one year in the cask. Gran Reserva wines have been aged for at least 2 years in the barrel and another 3 years in the bottle.

With time, practice, and lots of trial and error – picking a wine that you believe will suit your taste can become fun and easier. The most important thing however, is to familiarize yourself with major wine producing regions and grape varietals, so you can understand what you’re reading – and always have an open mind!

Get in touch here or at hello@coralrange.com.

Share565
Tweet
+1
Share36
601 Shares

Filed Under: Food & Beverage

About Jasmine Kouly

A hospitality trainer, epicurean, Jasmine Kouly's passion is ensuring that guests receive consistent service, creative food and beverage options, and are served by trained, knowledgeable and confident staff.

She has experience working in Florida and various islands in the Caribbean, and considers herself a vacation magician as she understands the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for guests in the Caribbean region...(Learn More)

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

PROUD MEMBER OF

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

CONTACT

Email: hello@coralrange.com

Phone: 305-600-2217

Resources

Receive Our Company Newsletter

Footer

Try Us Out

We want to work for you.

CORALRANGE offers unique hotel owner representation that gives your property the edge.
_
Services
About Us

CONTACT US to discuss your consultancy needs or hotel project.
_
Contact
Team

LEARN MORE about the work we do and the work we’ve done.
_
Experience
Resources

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design & Development by CORALRANGE