Getting behind the Label

BEHIND THE LABELGetting

[WRITER: Homer ] [ PHOTO: Freepix.com ]

Greetings fellow aficionados of wine. In the previous article we walked through the history, basics of grape varieties and wine styles. Our journey now takes us to understanding what we are actually buying when we walk down our wine aisle. It can be quite a daunting task to the novice to differentiate between a seemingly endless selection, when facing shelves of wines with jargon on the bottles. All we want is a decent bottle and rush to that dinner party or occasion without the time to wonder or ask a usually equally baffled shop attendant.

We look at what is behind the understanding of the ‘label’ and not become a ‘wine snob’, that very individual the late Raymond Postgate author of Plain man’s Guide to Wine described as they ‘who uses a knowledge of wine, often imperfect, to impress with a sense of their superiority.’ Two skilled league of people come to mind when we seek an authority on wines, one being the Enologist the other a Sommelier something we cannot all become for the sake of buying our favorite wine or explore a new varietal.

Selecting a wine is more complex than choosing any other beverage as it goes beyond just drinking, with wine boasting so many uses, including the cooking. Will it be for that special celebration, something on a hot summer day - which we can relate to in these parts - or is it for that special meal we have cooked or simply easy drinking. helps make that choice simpler and allows a certain degree of mastery to choose the appropriate bottle.

When reading wine labels you must be aware that there is a difference between old world (European) and new world (rest of the world) wine naming conventions. We will focus on new world wines since we are influenced in our regional market by one of the world’s largest producer, South Africa.

Rule of thumb is however;

Old world wines, on one hand, are usually labelled by appellation. That means the label probably won’t tell you what kind of grape the wine is made from. It will only tell you where the wine was made.

New world wines, (American, Australian South American, South African and others) are usually labelled by grape name. The label will tell you whether you’re buying a Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc or Cabernet Sauvignon.

To understand a wine label on a bottle look at the seven common and critical guides;

• Country and region of origin is indicated at the top or bottom of the label for example Stellenbosch (region) and then South Africa

• Name and/or producer with the more common being

Nederburg or Thelema (producers)

• Variety of grape and style – in southern Africa our shelves are dominated by (white wines) Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon

Blanc, Chardonnay and (red wines) Cabinet Sauvignon,

Merlot, Syrah (Shiraz), Pinot Noir and Pinotage. Blends have more than one grape varietal with Chardonnay and

Cabernet Sauvignon used more extensively.

• Sparkling Wines which we know well as the ‘bubbly’ for celebration not to be confused with Champagne which is only referred as such if it has been produced in the region of the same name in France. A conversation for another day…

Rose which carries that pretty rose color and a soft landing into the world of wines for some.

• Vintage or non-vintage. This is the year that appears on the bottle and simply tells you which year the grapes were picked and the labels on the bottles will show the year in which the wine was made.

• Alcohol level. ... Can have anywhere between 5% and 23% alcohol by volume (ABV). The average alcohol content of wine is about 12%. This amount varies depending on the variety of wine, as well as the winemaker and their desired ABV.

• Sulfites. Either a natural by-product of the fermentation process or an added ingredient that work as a preservative against certain yeast and bacteria (which will quickly destroy a wine if they start to multiply)

• Sweetness. This will range from sweet to dry Armed with this basic but highly useful information you are in better command to make that ultimate selection and also to recommend to others.

It is now your time to go out and have some fun in the aisle and pouring the glass. Let it be the start of many long and memorable moments with wine. Drink responsibly, stay safe and until next time…