The label is the first image of a bottle of wine. Let’s find out how to read it.

How to read an Italian wine label? Behind the aesthetics there is often a message from the producer and his philosophy, which is worth knowing.

The label for a bottle of wine is a bit like an identity card for a person. It is very important to read the information, to better understand what we are about to but, and drink. Obviously, the first information that attracts our attention is the name of the wine, which, generally, is also the least indicative information. Often, in fact, it is the imaginary name that the producer choose for the wine. But, in Italy, we have some useful indicators to notice, like the DOC or DOCG labels.

Wine information on labels

Together with the fantasy name of the wine, the denomination of origin if there is one, we can see the year of production (for still wines). We find the name of the producer, the presumed alcohol content, the volume in terms of quantity of the bottle. There is also some public health precautionary information, which must be included by law: it contains sulphites and is not recommended for pregnant women. The organization of the information is a personal choice of the winemaker. Usually the front label plays an aesthetic, presentation and marketing role, while the label on the back contains more technical information. But there is no precise rule about it.

DOC e DOCG marks in Italian wines

Some Italian wines shows the DOC and DOCG labels, released by the Monopoly of the Italian State. The band is on the neck of the bottle, blue for DOC and pink for DOCG. Let us briefly recall that both DOC & DOCG are included in the European DOP legislation. However, Italy, like other countries, kept the old nomenclature on the bottles. A wine is DOC if it comes from areas recognized as typical (IGT) with quality and characteristics attributable to specific areas, involving a certain number of producers. DOCG is recognized for DOC wines with a certain value and specific characteristics. Also it is necessary that a certain number of producers are involved in the producion of that wine.

The sub-areas of wine

DOC wines, like DOCG wines, can be different thanks to particular soils, according to the concept of zoning or CRU. The unique and distinctive characteristics comes identifiable according to the sub-zone. Therefore, when we find the mention of the sub-area on the label, we are, surely, in front of a particular expression of the grapes. The sub-areas are very important for the attentive consumer, especially when talking about particular territories, such as Barolo for example. The quality and also the price of a wine can, in fact, vary greatly depending on the sub-zone it comes from.

Riserva or Superiore: the special mentions

These terms, if present, refer the aging of the wine and to its refinement. Although it is not very easy to orient oneself, in fact they vary from wine to wine depending on the rules of the specification. The mention Superiore generally refers to a specific alcohol content that the wine must reach. Or to the need for the wine to be produced according to particular refinement techniques. The mention Riserva, on the other hand, refers to aging, which is longer than the “classic” one for that same type of wine. The attribution of the aforementioned denominations can, ultimately, mean different things. Which vary, from wine to wine, according to the specification. For simplicity, wines showing the mention riserva or superiore offer, in any case, positive differences. In other words should be a better expression of the basic version of the same wine for a winemaker.

The vintage of a wine

The mention of the vintage is very important information for a bottle of wine. The vintage speaks of the age of the bottle, therefore it offers an idea of ​​the evolution of the wine itself. It also speaks about the climate conditions. The age of a wine is important, also, to understand whether it is the right time or not to uncork a bottle of wine. Bottles of sparkling wine usually do not report the vintage. Usually sparkling wines are born from blends of wines from different vintages, in fact. Unless we are talking about Millesimato, in this case, we will find the vintage on the label.

Non-mandatory information on wine labels

Not always the wine label shows the variety, or varieties of grapes. In Italy, instead, it is often indicated on the label . This is because Italian winemakers and comsumers are found of native grapes, and like to enhance those. By law, however, it is not mandatory to indicate it. Likewise, it is not mandatory to indicate the altitude of the vineyards, their exposure to light or the history of the winery. Nor the ideal pairings with the dishes at the table. However, the imagination and taste of each producer must be freely expressed in this too. So be prepared to read everything on some wine labels. Some love to talk about their wine so much, that the space would always be insufficient. Therefore, but also for the mandatory information – increasingly numerous – we often notice the presence of a Qr code. This code that opens by framing it with the smartphone camera refers to the technical sheet of the wine.

Organic wine on the label

The term Organic, refers mainly to non-genetically modified grapes and poisons such as herbicides or pesticides. The use of sulfur dioxide is allowed with moderation. Otherwise the product is not organic and cannot boast the European Union logo for Organic. To be organic, a wine need to pass a strict control test. By law, the place of production and preparation must be indicated as EU Agriculture or Non-EU Agriculture or EU/non-EU Agriculture depending on the place of origin.

Labels for Natural wines

Natural wine producers give free rein to their imagination. Their labels often show off minimalist illustrations and imaginative names. The stylizations are sometimes taken from drawings by the children or grandchildren of the owners. Sometimes by famous artists & designers. The information on the labels of natural wines is very different. For example, they may exclude the vintage. Natural wines usually aim for production free from chemical or synthetic products. Fertilizers are natural and less use of sulphites in production. They do not want to control fermentation, nor the yeasts that trigger it. There is no real regulation yet, so we could read anything (or nothing) on ​​the label.

The label for Biodynamic wines

Biodynamic wine, which comes from the Steinerian worldview, is usually indicated by the Demeter logo. Biodynamic wine comes from a vineyard and a cellar organized and managed according to holistic principles. Which include the use of natural humus prepared in a certain way, and respect for the lunar and astronomical phases. Absolutely no to chemical compounds and aggressive clarifications. Again, even for Biodynamic wines likewise the Organic ones, regulatory laws are missing.

Wine labels in conclusion

Choosing a wine from the aesthetics of the label is like choosing a book from its cover. However, there are times when the unexpected surprise can be even more intriguing. In my opinion, knowledge is power, without, however, losing the pleasure of discovery. For this reason, we have created a creative event for companies, birthday parties and creative people. Design your Wine Label is a workshop dedicated to the creation of a wine label. Starting from the tasting of the wine, to the graphic creation. Contact us to participate.