Unraveling the Mystery of Wine Labels
When it comes to wine, the label can be just as important as the wine itself. But what do the various terms and phrases on the label mean? Knowing how to decipher the label on every bottle of wine can be a challenge, but with a little know-how, you can confidently pick a bottle based on what you want. Start with the Basics: What’s on a Wine Label?
Most wine bottles include some combination of the following:
* Producer or brand name: Who made the wine
* Wine type or variety: Usually the grape (Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, etc.) or a blend
* Region or appellation: Where the grapes were grown
* Vintage year: The year the grapes were harvested
* Alcohol content: Listed as a percentage
* Volume: Usually 750ml
* Additional descriptive terms: Such as “estate bottled,” “reserve,” or “old vines”
Tip: If you know you like a type of wine – for instance, malbec – then it’s a good idea to look for other wines made with Malbec grapes.

1. Gape Variety or Wine Type
2. Region and Appellation
3. Bonus Terms on Wine Labels

Breaking Down the Grape Variety or Wine Type
This is your first clue about the wine’s taste. Single-varietal wines are made mostly from one type of grape, such as pinot noir or sauvignon blanc, while blends combine several grape varieties and might have creative names like “Red Blend” or “Proprietary Red.”
Decoding the Region and Appellation
Wine labels will often tell you where the grapes were grown – and sometimes, what grapes were used. New World wines (US, Australia, South Africa) usually list the grape first, then the region. Old World wines (France, Italy, Spain) often list the region; you’ll need to know which grapes are typical of that area.

For example, if you see “Chablis” on the label, it means the wine is made from Chardonnay grapes grown in northern Burgundy.

Appellation is a more specific term for a regulated wine-growing region, called AVA in the US (for instance, Napa Valley) or DOCG in Italy. These regions often have strict quality controls. Exploring Bonus Terms on Wine Labels
While not all of this text will be relevant to your selection process, some labels include extra descriptors that hint at quality, age, or production method.

Estate Bottled

The winery grew, harvested, and bottled the wine all on-site – often a sign of higher quality.

Reserve/Reserva/Riserva

Can mean longer aging or special selection, but the definition varies by country. In the US, it’s unregulated.

Old Vines (Vieilles Vignes, Viñas Viejas)

Grapes from older vines, often producing more concentrated flavors.

Barrel-Aged/Oaked

Indicates the wine spent time in oak barrels. You can expect richer, toastier notes.

Unfiltered/Natural

Wines that have not been filtered before bottling. Not removing natural particles will give these wines a different texture, depth, and complexity than filtered wines. These may look cloudier or funkier, and may often have more texture.

Vintage Year
This is the year the grapes were harvested, not when the wine was bottled. Younger vintages (one to three years old) are often fruitier and fresher. Older vintages can be more complex and mellow, depending on the wine. If you’re buying inexpensive wines to drink now, the vintage isn’t super critical – just don’t go too old unless you know it ages well. Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
ABV refers to the percentage of alcohol (ethanol) in the beverage. This percentage is determined by dividing the volume of pure alcohol by the total volume of the beverage, then multiplying the figure by 100 to express the result as a percentage. Most wines are between 11% and 15% ABV. Interpreting ABV
* 11–12.5%: Lighter-bodied, possibly sweeter (think riesling or moscato)
* 13–14.5%: Medium to full-bodied (most red wines fall here)
* 15%+: Bold, high-alcohol wines (such as zinfandel or amarone)
Decoding European Wine Labels
As I mentioned before, wines grown or made in the US often have different labels than those produced in Europe. If you’re like me and often find yourself in front of the wine shelves from Spain, Italy, or France (my favorite wine is a tempranillo), then this section is for you. European wine labels might feel intimidating at first, but here’s a cheat sheet to break it down:

France

Focus on region (Burgundy, Rhône). Learn which grapes are typical of each.

Italy

Watch for DOC/DOCG (geographic protection), region (Barolo = nebbiolo), and style.

Spain

Labels include terms, such as “crianza,” “reserva,” and “gran reserva” to indicate aging.

Don’t Be Fooled by Fancy Fonts
Just because a label looks elegant (and the wine may be pricey) doesn’t mean the wine inside is stellar – and a cartoon label doesn’t mean it’s low quality. Focus on the facts, rather than the presentation. Explore Our Sommelier-Backed Tips for Finding the Best Wine Value
Bottom Line
Reading a wine label doesn’t require a sommelier certification. It just requires a little determination and decoding. But once you know what to look for, you can make better picks and discover what you actually enjoy.