| In their most basic classifications wine labels fall | | | | variety would seem redundant on a European |
| into two categories; old world and new world or | | | | label. New world wineries, such as Australia, NZ, |
| better still geographic and varietal. | | | | the US, Canada and South America are still |
| The old world or geographic labels come from | | | | working out what varieties work in what areas. |
| France, Germany, Italy, Spain and others. | | | | We don't have the hundreds of years of tradition |
| Hundreds of years of tradition have seen | | | | so more information is required on the label. We |
| European winemakers settle on a system of | | | | are starting to see this 'sorting out' of varieties in |
| regions or appellations. Some regions have been | | | | Australia. Unfortunately some of it has been |
| planted, torn up and replanted many times on the | | | | marketing driven. But thankfully most is for sound |
| theory that the correct grape in the correct area | | | | viticultural reasons. People having problems ripening |
| will give the best wine. The French wine label has | | | | their Cabernet in cooler climates are pulling them |
| become the defacto standard for European labels | | | | out & replanting earlier ripening varieties. |
| and includes; | | | | Only seven things are required by law to appear |
| · The regional grading such as grand or | | | | on a wine label in Australia; |
| premier | | | | 1. The name and address of the winery |
| · The domain or chateau name which is | | | | 2. Varietal name |
| also the name of the product and the producer | | | | 3. The alcohol content by volume |
| · The wine region and/or the specific area | | | | 4. Number of standard drinks |
| where the grapes are grown | | | | 5. The amount of wine in the bottle |
| · The appellation name as the name of | | | | 6. What preservatives are used |
| the Appellation d'Origine Controlee wine growing | | | | 7. The vintage which is the year of harvest |
| region to which the wine is entitled according to | | | | The oldest recorded wine labels are from around |
| how it's produced. | | | | 2,700 BC. Clay wine jars from the tombs of the |
| Varietal or new world wine labels show the name | | | | pharaohs were sealed with a round pottery lid and |
| of the vineyard, vintage, grape variety and usually | | | | clay that had been stamped with the name of the |
| area. The European appellation implies the grape | | | | pharaoh. |
| variety so listing both appellation and grape | | | | |