The producer.
The year the grapes were harvested, or vintage.
The place the grapes originated.
The alcoholic content.
The Surgeon General's warning that the use of this product can encourage the growth of extra toes or nose warts.
We'll look at these items individually. First,
NAME
In the U.S., wines are most often named for the grape varietal(s) used: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, etc. This convention is also true of most wines from Mexico, South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In the U.S. a wine must contain more than 75% of the named varietal. In France, Italy, and Spain, traditional wines use the place of origin instead of the varietal. Here are some examples:
Rioja
= a red wine made mostly from Tempranillo grapes in a delimited region in northern Spain; or a white wine from that region made from Viura grapes.Chianti
= a red wine made mostly from Sangiovese grapes in a delimited region of Tuscany.Chateau Mouton-Rothschild
= a red wine made mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon grown and bottled on the Ch. Mouton-Rothschild estate in Bordeaux, France.Clos Vougeot
= a red wine made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the vineyard of Clos Vougeot.PRODUCER
In a simpler world you might assume that the label would clearly show who made the wine. But in the U.S. and some other countries, label names are simply trade marks which can be registered. Many wineries sell their products under multiple labels. Most often, wineries reserve their principal label for their better, most expensive wines. But by owning a second label, they can offer a second product line to another market niche. Great California Cabernet Sauvignon is marketed under the Caymus label. But inexpensive, everyday Cabernets are sold under Caymus' second label, Liberty School. But don't think that by buying the second label wine, you're getting the sort of product associated with the primary label. Second label wines are rarely "seconds," as in the pottery trade. They are usually designed for a different market, made from different fruit, often in a different location.
The producer is the most important consideration when purchasing any wine. Small producers who specialize in a limited range of products can usually be counted on to deliver the kind of wines associated with their label. Siduri, for example, is a small Sonoma producer of first rate California Pinot Noir from several appellations. Any wine made under this label is likely to be very fine. Byron, in Santa Maria, produces a limited range of excellent wines; you will probably never come upon a poor wine from this producer.
Go To Page: 1 2
