Wine

• Front Label
• Sulfites
• Legally Meaningless
• Back Label
• Other Statements

Wine Labels

Front Label

Due to bizarre U.S. laws going back to Prohibition, the production of wine fell until 2003 under the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). ATF (not so affectionately called "Drink, Smoke and Shoot" by some people) established the standards for what had to, or could, appear on wine labels, and approved each and every wine label before it could be used. That function moved to the U.S. Treasury Department's Tax and Trade Bureau in 2003.

ATF could even prevent a winery's use of a particular piece of art on the label if ATF found the art to be "inappropriate", i.e. risqué. It did this a number of times, even forbidding well-known European works of art.

Required/Permitted Label Information

Wines produced in the United States must have the following on their labels:

• Brand Name—The name determined by the bottler. It may, or may not, be the actual name of the winery.
• Type of Wine—Such as the variety (Sauvignon Blanc), generic (White Table Wine) or proprietary name (Ryan's Red).
• Geographical Origin—Country or state, vineyard or viticultural area. If a Viticultural Area, at least 85% of the grapes used in the wine must be from that area.
• Bottle Size/Volume—A standard bottle is 750 milliliters (750 ml)
• Alcohol Strength by Volume—Usually 11-15%. If 7-14%, it is not necessary to state the percentage. If it exceeds 14% alcohol, it must state the percentage.
• Vintage Year—The year the grapes for the wine were harvested. At least 95% of the wine must be from the designated vintage year. If it isn't, the year is omitted.
• Bottling Information—Where the wine was bottled. If 100% of the grapes were grown in vineyards owned or controlled by the winery, the label can say "Estate Bottled."
• Vineyard—If the label indicates a Vineyard Designation (such as Martha's Vineyard, or Winery Lake Vineyard), at least 95% of the wine grapes used to produce that wine must be from that vineyard. This is not an appellation but simply the winery's own term.
• Name of the Wine—Usually the variety of grape. Can also be the region where it was made or a name created by the producer (Mosaic) or by a group of producers (Meritage). If a varietal name such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay is used, at least 75% of the wine must be from that variety of wine grape.
• Health Warnings (Required by U.S. government)

"GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems."

"Contains Sulfites"—For those who may be hyperallergic to sulfites, which are a natural part of the grape, and which are also frequently used on grapes in the vineyard to prevent mildew, or at fermentation to prevent oxidation.

Sulfites

Some people (approximately .25 of 1%) are allergic to sulfites. Sulfites are an approved material used in the winemaking process. (Sulfur, which is different, is a pure, elemental form that is frequently sprayed in the vineyards to prevent mildew.) In the winery, sulfur dioxide can be added to the wine to prevent oxidation and to enhance the color and extend the shelf life of the wine.

Sulfites are also a natural component of the wine itself, produced in very small amounts during fermentation. They can sometimes be strong enough to cause an allergic reaction in some people.

If a wine contains 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfites or more, it must state "Contains Sulfites" on the label. Federal regulations consider up to 350 parts per million as safe for non-hypersensitive wine drinkers. Wine yeasts naturally produce at least 10 to 20 parts per million, so almost every wine produced must carry the sulfite warning on its label.

These levels are far less than those frequently found in fresh and dried fruits and fruit juices, which can be as high as 150-330 parts per million.

Legally Meaningless Terms

The front label might also have terms such as Private Reserve, Founder's Estate, Cask No. xx, Special Select, Vintner's Reserve, and a variety of other phrases intended to give the impression that this wine is not just any ordinary wine. However, these words have no legal meaning, and their usefulness as an indicator of quality is directly proportional to the integrity of the winery.

Back Label

The label on the back of the wine bottle usually contains information about the vineyard, the vintage year, the winemaking process for that particular wine, recommended foods which it will complement, and anything else the winery feels will help sell the wine.

Other Statements

Produced By or Made By—Means that the named winery fermented no less than 75% of the wine. This might not be where the grapes are actually from.

Cellared, Vinted or Prepared—Means that the winery "subjected the wine to cellar treatment." There is no requirement that the wine/grapes actually come from the area where the winery is located.

Bottled For/Packed For—Name and address of the entity for whom the wine was bottled or packed. Says absolutely nothing about where the wine came from.

From some of the most creative label designers in the wine industry. Buy Icon: Art of the Wine Label

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