If you spend a lot of money on a bottle of wine, you may as well know what you’re getting. A good label should include everything from the region where the grapes were grown to the amount of alcohol in each serving, the brand name, and so on. 

Here’s what to look for:

ABV

The most critical thing to look for on a wine label is the alcohol by volume. The alcohol content is measured in percentage units. The difference between proof and ABV is that proof refers to the amount of water in the solution, essentially a dilution measurement. 

To calculate ABV, multiply the ounces in your glass by its percentage of alcohol. So, if your glass contained 10 ounces (about 2/3 cup) of wine with 12 percent alcohol content, then 0.12 × 10 = 1.2 ounces of pure ethanol per serving.

Appellation of origin

If you order wine labels, they must have an appellation of origin. The wine must be from a specific region, and that region must be named on the label. For example, if you were looking at an Australian Shiraz, it would say on the label that it was from South Australia or New South Wales. 

Brand name

The brand name is the first identifier someone sees when they look at a wine label. It’s crucial that you choose one that is easily recognizable, consistent with your product, and easy to read.

Brand names should be unique, so they don’t conflict with existing brands in the market. For example, if you have an organic wine with “Organic” in its name or description, it probably wouldn’t make sense for another company to use that word as part of their brand name unless they’re selling other organic products.

Type designation

The type designation refers to the type of grape used in the wine. When looking at a wine’s type designation, it’s critical to note that there are two different ways of writing it: “varietal” or “grape.” A varietal designation indicates that at least 85% of the grapes used in making the wine are from one grape variety. If less than 85% is used, then it would be labeled as an apple blend or black cherry blend. 

If no additional ingredients have been added and only one type of grape is present, then that variety can be listed by name instead.

Alcohol content

The alcohol content of wine is usually in the range of 12-15%, but you’ll want to ensure that you are aware of the specific amount. If you have an allergy to alcohol or are pregnant, it’s essential to look for a wine with less than 10%.

Health warning statement 

The health warning statement on a wine label is an essential reminder that alcohol is a drug and can be addictive. It’s also a message from the government about what research has shown to be true: drinking too much alcohol can damage your physical and mental health. Alcohol is not safe for everyone to drink, and it may be harmful when consumed by certain people or in excess.

The warning will include information on how much alcohol is in one serving size of the beverage and what type of harm might result from consuming too much. Keep in mind that elderly adults are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol.

Address and name of the bottler

Wine labels should be clear and easy to read. The bottler is responsible for the quality and consistency of wine, so it’s crucial that their address and contact information are listed on the label. Not only will this help you find out more about them if you want to purchase another bottle down the line, but it also provides valuable information about how long your bottle has been sitting on a shelf waiting for you to buy it.

Net contents

The net contents of a bottle are a critical piece of information to look for. It tells you how much wine is in the bottle and how much wine you’re getting for your money. The measurement system used will be either metric (milliliters) or US fluid ounces. Some producers may also include a vintage year on the label to indicate when their wine was produced.

Types of grapes used

If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between red, white, and rosé wine is, it’s all about the grapes. Grapes are used to making all types of wines, but they’re also what gives each type its distinct color and flavor. Some wines use only one type of grape, while others combine several varieties.

There are many different types of grapes. Some are grown in particular regions around the world, and each variety has its own distinctive flavors and colors when fermented into wine. For example, Pinot Noir grapes are used to make red Burgundy-style wines, while Chardonnay is best suited for making dry whites like Champagne or sparkling Cremant d’Alsace.

Color matters

Color is a good indicator of the type of grapes used to make the wine. Red wines are made from red grapes, and white wines are from white grapes. The color can also indicate the age of the wine. Red wines are typically aged longer than white wines. Look out for how the wine has been made, what kind of grapes it contains, and it’s level of alcohol.

On the front of the bottle is a vintage year, and on the back of the bottle is some information about who made it. That person’s name should be prominently displayed with an address and phone number so that you can contact them if anything goes wrong.

The back label will also have much more information than just who made it. It will list where the grapes came from, what kind of grapes were used, what kind of winemaking process was used, and how strong it is usually in terms of alcohol by volume.

Finally, always check the label for health warnings, ingredients, and an alcohol content statement. And remember that it doesn’t matter how much you spend on wine. What matters most is how much you enjoy drinking it.