Some people often compare the label of wine to its "identity card", which is very interesting and appropriate. In fact, there is no need to look at wine so mysteriously. Anyone who knows him knows how to read the clues in the bottle from the label. The label of wine is like the identity card of wine, from which we can see many mysteries.

Generally speaking, we can see two labels on a bottle of wine. Don't be surprised that every symbol has its own meaning. The label attached to the front of wine is called the front label, which generally reflects a lot of information about the wine garden or winery, which is equivalent to the identity card of wine, including the "birthday", "nationality" and "birthplace" of wine. These are all important, because before opening the bottle, they can give you a basic understanding of the contents in advance. Therefore, many people who know wine will read it carefully before buying wine, so these are certainly worth learning and pondering.

For wines exported to other countries, especially those imported from China, there will be a label on the back of the bottle, which is called the back label. Interestingly, the label on the back is very similar to our passports abroad. For wine, it will only be used if it is exported to other countries. The back label will contain 1, where the wine comes from, the specific name of the winery and so on. All kinds of wines entering China must pass the customs import inspection, so according to China's strict wine import standards, the information marked in Chinese must be on the back label, including wine name, import or agent, shelf life, alcohol content, sugar content and so on. Therefore, even if you don't know English, French or Italian, you can enjoy those wonderful wines from foreign countries conveniently.

I have to admit that the label of wine is really a headache. Unfamiliar wine labels and unintelligible letters always confuse people and even produce a sense of distance. Therefore, wine becomes distant and strange. Actually, it's not like this. Even if you don't know French, German or Italian, you can read the label of wine. As long as you remember a few basic points, you will find that identifying labels is as simple as that.

Just like the label on any product you buy in China, the wine label is nothing more than a "product label", which generally includes: country of production, producing area, year, capacity, alcohol content, wine classification and grape variety (if it is French, Italian and other old-world wines, most of them will not be labeled; If it is Australia, the United States and other new world wines, it will generally be marked in detail. Why are you afraid of wine labels? After overcoming the psychological barriers, let's take a closer look at where these contents are marked respectively.

French wine label

Let's start with the French wine label. French wine labels are generally divided into two categories: one is Bordeaux producing area. On this type of wine label, you can often see pictures of the manor of the winery, with rows of French under the pictures.

In Bordeaux, such words often appear on wine labels:

Grand Cru Classé means "graded winery", which is unique to Bordeaux and has been officially recognized and rated by the winery. At present, the main classification includes 1855 * * five-level wineries selected by Medoc. In addition, in Graves production area, we also have our own batch of graded wineries. In Saint Emilion's producing area, Grand Cru Classé is the "first-class winery" among the listed wineries, and there is a higher-level "Premier Grand Cru Classé" on it.

The other is Burgundy. This type of wine label is usually a dazzling line of text. If you don't know French, you may not know what letters are on it, let alone understand them. However, it doesn't matter if you don't understand it, because you know, those strings of words flying around are just the names of the manor, not to mention that you and I don't understand it. If it weren't for the postman who shuttled through that area all day, it is estimated that even the locals might not know the details. But if you don't understand, you can forget it. There are some words to remember, such as: Grand Cru (the highest wine in Burgundy) and Premier Cru (the first-class vineyard).

In addition, we should also understand the classification system of French wine. From high to low is AOC, which is the highest level of French wine, that is, to determine the grapes in the producing area; VDQS is an excellent local wine, which is rare in China because of its small output. Vin de Pays, the wine in the producing area, is equivalent to the wine in 300 yuan, where there are many wines with high cost performance; Vin de Table, also known as daily table wine, has the widest range of restrictions and can be found in supermarkets and other shops.

Italian wine label

In fact, it is not difficult to understand the Italian wine label after reading the French wine label. As long as you remember a few words that often appear, you can easily identify an Italian wine.

Italian wines are divided into four grades, which are very similar to those in France. From high to low is DOCG, which is equivalent to AOC in France; DOC, equivalent to France's VDQS；; ; In addition, IGT is equivalent to vin depaysVdT and Vin de table.

You will also see these words on Italian wine labels:

Riesel Watt: It means that the second wine will be stored for a period of time before it goes on the market. It is usually a symbol of high quality. Classico: usually refers to vineyards with good conditions in producing areas. It usually follows the name of the place of origin.

Classico Superiore: It means that this grape comes from the so-called Classico region and has a relatively high alcohol content.

Fattoria, Tenuta, Padere, Azienda Agricola: These are all wineries that grow and make wine at the same time.

Bianco: white wine Rosso: red wine Rosato: rose wine Spumante: sparkling wine.

German wine label

German wine labels are much more orderly than those in France and Italy. Although it is also a letter that most people don't know, if you master the rules and remember a few words, everything will be solved.

German wines are divided into QmP, QbA, Landwein and Tafelwein from high to low.

Wingut: Brewery

Not sweet

A little sweet.

Eswein: Ice wine.

Rothwell: Red wine.

Spanish wine label

Spanish wine labels can be regarded as attractive, beautiful and not gaudy. With the previous foundation, Spanish wine labels are almost clear at a glance. And its classification is only the highest level of DOC level and the lower level of DO. But these are not as meaningful as its age. Generally, the aging time is long, the thicker and more complex the taste, and the higher the price.

Wine cellar: winery

Cleansa: A high-quality wine that has been cultivated for a long time (more than 2 years).

Reserve: A wine with excellent wine quality, which is cultivated by shepherds in bottles according to regulations.

Gran Reservation: wines that have been brewed for more than Reservation are usually produced only in particularly good years.

Secco: No sugar, not sweet.

New world wine label

New World (USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, etc.) wine labels. ) are more "people-friendly" because most of these wine labels are in English, simple and easy to read, and there is no cumbersome grading system. Grape varieties are also marked in the most conspicuous places. Wine in the new world not only tastes bold and unrestrained, but also the design of wine labels is often ingenious. Some are abstract paintings, which perfectly combine art with wine; Some of them are lovely animal patterns. For example, some wineries in Australia printed animals such as ostriches, lizards and kangaroos on wine labels, which not only attracted people's attention, but also inadvertently won the favor of consumers. Some describe the story of Greek mythology on the wine label; Marilyn Monroe once became the new favorite of wine label designers ... The winery's good intentions are reflected in this small wine label.

Nowadays, wine label is not only a symbol of goods, but also a manifestation of culture. Although more people are willing to pay attention to the quality of wine, it is undeniable that a good-looking wine label can really attract the attention of young and changeable consumers. Many people like to collect various wine labels. Every time they read it, it's like reading a history book, which is their own and wine's. Stories, relatives, lovers, friends, and past events in wine are endless.