There is a lot of specific information on the labels of French fine wines, which vary according to the laws of the region or production area where the wine merchant is located. The information that appears on French wine labels generally includes name, alcohol content, volume, vintage, vineyard, producer/winery, and bottling winery. Bottling Estate), Appellation, Classification, Type of Wine, Government Warning and Sulfite Content.

In addition to more direct product information such as "year" and "alcohol content", many wine lovers will get a lot of invisible information from wine labels. For example, for wine connoisseurs, a legally named production area is more than just a name. It also describes the grape variety, aging method and production process of the wine.

2. How to express the information on wine labels

So, how do French wine labels express the above information? The following is a detailed breakdown of French wine labels, taking the famous Chateau Margaux, Margaux, France dry red wine as an example.

Wine connoisseurs like to judge the quality of wine from the wine label information, while investors judge whether the wine is worth investing in by looking at the wine label. In fact, there are many factors that determine whether a particular fine wine is a good investment. But in any case, if you want to understand fine wine, learning to read wine labels is a very good start.

(1) Bottling place (Mis en Bouteille au Chateau)

Refers to the place where the wine is bottled at the production winery. Not all wineries have the ability to bottle their own wines.

(2) Chateau Margaux

This not only indicates the producer of the wine - Chateau Margaux, but it can also be considered as the brand of the wine.

(3) Wine type (Grand Vin)

This type of information can include table wine, sparkling wine, dessert wine, white wine, etc.

(4) Winery trademark (image of Chateau Margaux Castle)

This part of the content is either the trademark of the winery or the image of the Chateau Chateau. If the label is a winery’s trademark, it must be a true image of the winery.

(5) Vintage (1996)

The vintage refers to the harvest year of the grape raw materials for this wine. There are many factors that affect the quality of a vintage, such as weather, grape varieties, soil, etc. 1982 was an outstanding vintage in the Bordeaux region of France.

(6) Premier Grand Cru Classe

It means that Chateau Margaux is a Bordeaux First Growth. Not all wineries are classified. Of course, as long as they are classified wineries, they must indicate their level.

(7) Production area (Margaux)

Refers to the name of the production area (mostly administrative) where the winery is located.

(8) Legal Appellation Margaux Controlee (AOC)/Appellation Margaux Controlee

The winery must follow this in the grape cultivation and wine making process AOC related requirements.

(9) Alcohol content (12.5% ??Vol.)

The alcohol content of French wine is generally between 12% and 15%.

(10) Producer (S.C.A. Chateau Margaux Proprietaire a Margaux-Franc)

The producer may be the winery itself, or it may be a large company to which the winery belongs.

(11) Capacity (75 cl)

The capacity of a standard wine bottle is 750 ml (or 75 cl).