How to read a wine label
A wine label is a small map. Once you know where to look, it tells you who made the wine, where it came from and what to expect.
1. The producer
This is the winery, estate or winemaker. It's often the most useful name on the bottle: a producer you trust is a safer bet than any region or grape alone.
2. The place
The region, or appellation, tells you where the grapes were grown. In Europe the place is often the headline. A bottle labeled Sancerre or Rioja assumes you know which grapes are grown there.
3. The grape
Wines from the United States, Australia, South America and other "New World" regions usually name the grape variety, such as Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. European wines often leave it off because local rules already define which grapes can be used.
4. The vintage
The vintage is the year the grapes were harvested. It hints at the weather that season and how much age the wine has. A wine with no year (labeled "NV" for non-vintage) is a blend of several harvests, which is common in Champagne.
5. Alcohol and the fine print
Alcohol by volume (ABV) gives a clue to body: higher alcohol usually means a fuller, riper wine. Terms like Reserva, Grand Cru or estate bottled have specific meanings that vary by country. We'll cover those in future guides.