How to Read a Wine Label

Required and voluntary information on California wine labels explains much about what will be in the bottle.

Sample of a label:

Block Vineyards <- 1
1996 <- 6
CALIFORNIA <- 3

Chardonnay <- 2
Barrel-Fermented <- 7

PRODUCED AND BOTTLED BY <- 4
BLOCK VINEYARD WINE VALLEY, CA <- 5
ALCOHOL 12% BY VOLUME

Required Information

1. Brand. The surest key to the style of the wine.
2. Type of wine. May be generic, proprietary, or varietal. The first two may use any grape variety or blend of varieties the producer desires. Varietal wines must be made 75% of the grape variety named.
3. Region of origin. To say "California", 100% of the grapes used must be grown within the state. To use a county name, 75% must be grown within the county. To use an AVA name (a federally approved viticultural area), 85% of the grapes must be grown within that area. If the wine is a varietal, the 75% minimum of the named variety must be grown within the AVA.
4. Bottler. The label must show a company name (not always identical with the brand name) and a business location.
5. Alcohol content. The legal limits for table wine are 7% to 13.9%, with a 1.5% allowance either way so long as the allowance does not go beyond the legal limits. "Table wine" or "Light wine" may appear instead. If the alcohol content of a table wine exceeds 14%, the label must show that. Sparkling wines may be 10 to 13.9% with the 1.5% allowance. For appetizer wines, the limits are 17 to 20%, for dessert types 18 to 20%, with a 1% allowance in each case.

   Voluntary Information

6. Vintage. 95% of the grapes must have grown in the year stated.
7. Specific character. Several terms may be used to describe method, color, sweetness, or other qualities. As examples: Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay, Late Harvest Johannisberg Riesling, Dry Sherry, Champagne Brut, Tawny Port. Character may also be shown by specific analysis for residual sugar, total acid, pH, etc..
8. Individual Vineyard. 95% of the grapes must have come from the named vineyard, which must be located within an AVA (see #3).

Some permitted descriptives have no legal basis. These include such expressions as Private Reserve, Special Select, and all similar terms, which denote whatever the proprietor wishes.

Source: Wine Institute