"Wine is the juice of the grape." When selecting a wine it is important to understand some basic elements that affect its taste including: row of wine glasses
The type of grape used
Ripeness of the grape when harvested
Soil type
Climate of the vineyard
Health of the vines
Processing techniques
Storage and bottling
Age
How to Read a Wine Label Wine labels from around the world vary. Each wine producing country has its own unique criteria and legal requirements for identifying wine. In general, most wine labels will provide you with the following information:
Varietal or kind of grape used
Producer or vineyard
Vintage/dating
Geographic region grown or origin of the grape
Producer and bottler of the wine
Specific vineyard identification
Alcohol content
There are thousands of different wines produced around the globe. Most wines can be placed in one of these categories.
Generic Wines These wines are labeled with the name of one of the famous wine producing regions of the world. Examples include:
Proprietary Wines These wines have their own private trade marked name that is created to build brand image. Examples include:
Varietal Wines These wines are named after a particular type of grape from which it is principally or exclusively produced. The grapes make wines that have an easily recognizable taste.