What is a wine label? 5 stylish and cute wine labels

Many people choose wine based on the label when purchasing it.
A beginner might choose a stylish label, while a wine connoisseur might choose a wine based on the information on the wine label.
So, what exactly is a wine label, and what types are there?
In this article, we will explain basic information about wine labels as well as some unique wine labels.

Basic information about wine labels

Below is a summary of basic information about wine labels.

• The meaning of wine labels
• Is it okay to be free to design wine labels?

I will explain each one.

The meaning of wine labels

Wine bottles always have a wine label . Although there are some that do not have a wine label, it is safe to say that 99% of the world's wines have a wine label.
In the first place, wine labels are not affixed for design purposes or out of familiarity and inertia, but to record "information about the wine."
For example, in Europe, a country with a long tradition of wine, France in particular has its own wine laws that dictate the grapes that must be grown and used in the wine-producing region, and there are strict rules for the wine to be named after its place of origin.
In addition, wine labels must indicate where and who made the wine, and consumers would not be able to choose if the producer did not include them. There are various reasons why wine labels are included .

Is it okay to be free to design wine labels?

There are a lot of different wine label designs out there. Looking at them, you might get the impression that wine labels are basically free to choose, and that the content is left up to the producer .
There is basically freedom in the design of wine labels, but as mentioned above, wine laws and the laws of the country in which the wine is produced may require the inclusion of information necessary for sale in the market .
For example, in some cases a wine cannot be sold commercially unless information about its safety and origin, such as the producer, place of production, serial number, and place of bottling, is included.
The same goes for the alcohol content and sulfite additives. However, the point is that it doesn't matter if they are listed on the back or front label, and there is a good understanding that as long as they are listed, there is no problem .
For example, there is no problem if the front label is designed like a work of art, but the back label is just text that lists the necessary information about the wine.
In cases where the wine produced at the winery is only sold in stores, for example, there may be freedom in the label design.

What's on the wine label?

As mentioned above, the information that should be included on a wine label varies depending on the country of production .
However, each country's label design is based on the French model, so if you can understand French wine label design , you'll be able to understand most of the content .
Below is a summary of what is written on the wine label:

Items that must be listed

Do you know the meaning of wine labels ?
With the release of Beaujolais Nouveau , it's the season when many #wine items are lined up in stores. Do you know the official rules for wine labeling that came into effect on October 30, 2018? Understand the meaning of wine labels and use them to help you choose the right product!
For more information, please visit https://t.co/VYLjcjW7hT pic.twitter.com/KSqyT5jNs0

— Tokyo Metropolitan Government Living and Housing (@tocho_shouhi) November 17, 2022

With French wines, there are some things that must be labeled and some things that producers are free to label themselves.
First, let's explain what is included below.

1. Appellation of Origin
2. Country of origin
3. Bottler name and address
4. capacity
5. Alcohol content

First of all, appellation of origin refers to AOC or DOC , such as "AOC Bordeaux", "DOCG Barolo", and "DOC Cava".
A designation of origin is a so-called "certified wine" that is made using only grapes from a designated region and in accordance with the local wine laws.
In France and other parts of Europe, including California, appellations of origin must be certified and are not something that producers can choose freely .
If a wine has not been certified as having a Designation of Origin, nothing can be written on it, and it would be illegal to call it that without permission.
On the other hand, in Japan there are appellations of origin such as "GI Yamanashi" , but there are no more detailed regulations, so you can freely include the name of the field or the name of the person who produced it .
Other information such as the country of origin, bottling name and address, volume, and alcohol content are the minimum required, and in most countries wines that do not include this information cannot be sold commercially.

Items to be included at the discretion of the producer

The above information can generally be found on the wine label. However, you may also find that some wines have certain information listed, while others do not.
Again, this will vary depending on the country of production, but below is a summary of the information that is generally left to the producer's discretion .

1. Manufacturing method and field name
2. Vintage
3. Wine brand name
4. Production volume
5. Grape variety name

There are various wine-making methods , such as organic, biodynamic, and long-term aging. Some winemakers also advertise the type of vineyards they used for their wines. These are things that can be stated as long as they are not false, so they can be a selling point for winemakers .
In addition, in many countries, vintages and grape varieties can be listed if the wine meets the wine law, but this is left to the discretion of the producer. This also includes limited quantities and other detailed information about the wine.
Although this is the main content that appears on wine labels, it can be thought of as being written primarily for the purpose of informing buyers about the wine, and also for producers to promote their own wines .
Producers who think that they should only list the bare minimum of information and that only those who understand the rest will buy it can ignore these rules without being punished.

Wine Label Facts

Below are some interesting facts about wine labels:

• Why we call labels etiquette
• How to choose a wine from the label
• Is it okay to buy wine based on the cover?

I will explain each one.

Why we call labels etiquette

Many people call the label on a wine a "label." This is not incorrect, but in France, wine labels are usually called "etiquette."
For this reason, many people think that it would be correct to call wine labels "etiquette," but since that is simply what they are called in French, it is fine to just call them labels .
The word "etiquette" brings to mind images of proper etiquette, but it is thought that the term also came to be used to refer to wine as a label that was attached when entering a palace or other place .

How to choose a wine from the label

There are many wines on display in wine shops. Furthermore, due to its nature, it is difficult to sample all the varieties before purchasing . (Wineries and tasting events are separate.) Therefore, consumers have no choice but to choose wine from the information on the wine label. Below are some useful points to help you choose wine from the wine label.

• Country of Origin and Appellation of Origin
• Grape variety
• Vintage

The quality of wine changes depending on where it is made. It is said that in Burgundy, for example, the characteristics of wine change depending on the location of the vineyard, even if it is made in the same region and with the same grape variety.
Therefore, one of the important points to consider when choosing wine is the country of production and the designation of origin .
Wines from the Old World, such as France, have different characteristics depending on the place of origin, so if you can understand this, you can determine the direction of the flavor based on the place of origin alone.
Even if we use broad categories such as New World wines or Japan, there will be differences between Yamanashi, Nagano, Hokkaido, and also between Chile and New Zealand.
Next, by choosing by grape variety, you can also understand whether it is full-bodied, medium-bodied, or light-bodied.
Many wines do not have a vintage listed, but it just means that the wine was made from grapes harvested in that year , so it's easy to understand that the older the wine, the more mature it is.
For starters, when purchasing in Japan, the back label will often describe the flavor characteristics , such as "full-bodied, medium-bodied, light-bodied" or "mellow and smooth."
You may want to consider these when choosing your wine.

Is it okay to buy wine based on the cover?

If you are new to wine, even if you read the detailed information on the label, there are probably many things you don't understand. Even if you are knowledgeable about wine, you may sometimes want to buy wine casually .
The key point here is to "buy wine based on its cover." When you think of buying wine based on its cover, you might think of records or CDs, but there are many wine labels that are unique and often feature designs that are like works of art .
However, wine is a food, and many people would not want to make a mistake by buying it based on the cover .
The advantage of buying wine based on its cover is that it is often designed to resemble wine .
For example, a red wine made from fully ripe grapes that have been exposed to plenty of sunlight will have a cheerful, fun design that is sure to make a big impact.
On the other hand, more introverted wines, which are full of delicacy and the producer's philosophy, often have designs that reflect that.
Of course, there are some producers who deliberately use the opposite design, and some who use a design that has no relation to the contents at all, so to be honest, you won't know until you try it .
However, since wine is said to be a difficult drink, it may be a good approach to try it with a casual attitude, as if you were buying it just for the cover .

5 recommended wines with stylish and cute wine labels

From here, we will introduce some recommended wines with stylish and cute wine labels.
If you would like to choose a wine based on the wine label, please refer to this.

Katarzina Contemplations Sauvignon Blanc 2018

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This white wine is produced by Bulgaria's top winery, Katarjina . Its complex flavors of blackcurrant buds, white asparagus, and herbs make this a highly anticipated wine that shows the potential of Bulgarian wine.
The label is particular about its art labels, and the wine has been attracting attention for its unique approach of designing a different Bulgarian artist for each vintage .
This is an attractive bottle that you'll want to display even after you've finished drinking it.

brand	Grape variety	Vintage	Country of Origin
Katarzina	Sauvignon Blanc	2018	Bulgaria

Yuki Ninagawa Art Label Fresh Wine Series

This special series is based in France and imports unbottled wine from top producers around the world, then bottles it in wine labels designed by Yuki Ninagawa .
Not only do we offer only the highest quality wines, but our highly creative wine labels, reminiscent of paintings , also make great interior decorations and gifts.
Since it is a series set, it is easy to display side by side and is highly recommended.

brand	Grape variety	Vintage	Country of Origin
various	various	N.V.	France etc.

Michael David Winery Chardonnay 2021

The Michael David Winery Chardonnay is produced by a prestigious winery in Lodi West, California , a wine producing region that has been attracting a lot of attention in recent years.
In addition to its high quality, the unique embossed wine bottle design and thin label that simply lists the variety and place of origin are eye-catching.
While it has a classic impression, it is a bottle with a high-quality label design that shows attention to detail.

brand	Grape variety	Vintage	Country of Origin
Michael David Winery	Chardonnay	2021	America

Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise

Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise features a skull design created by a print artist who is also a friend of the producer . It is a popular wine in Japan with a highly impactful label design that is hard to forget once you see it.
A well-balanced blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache, with a high proportion of Zinfandel, giving it an amazing fruitiness .
This is a red wine with a cheerful flavor that is typical of California.

brand	Grape variety	Vintage	Country of Origin
Chronic Cellars	Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache	2021	America

Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2019

Chateau Mouton Rothschild is one of the world's best wines. The 2019 vintage has been praised as excellent , and the label design is very unique.
The label, designed by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson , features a shining gold color at the top that evokes daytime, while the deep blue nuances evoke nighttime.
It would be no exaggeration to say that this is a piece that collectors will covet .

brand	Grape variety	Vintage	Country of Origin
Chateau Mouton Rothschild	90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot	2019	France

About purchasing wine

Linksus, a liquor buying specialist store , is buying wine at high prices . If you have received wine as a gift, have a large amount of wine left over, or have purchased wine but never had a chance to drink it, and are worried about what to do with it, please use Linksus .
Below are some tips to help you get a high price for your wine at Linkus.

• Labels and bottles are cleaned before purchase
• Sell ​​early
• Accessories also sold
• Be careful about how you store it
• Wines from good years are purchased at high prices

Simply removing these stains from the labels and bottles will lead to a higher purchase price . Also, with the exception of some wines, wine is an alcoholic beverage that may decline in quality once it has passed its peak .
For this reason, we recommend selling your wine as soon as possible. In addition, selling any accessories along with the wine, paying attention to storage methods to maintain quality, and wines from good vintages will lead to higher prices .
If you have any questions about purchasing wine, please feel free to contact Linksus.
By the way, Linkus offers the following purchasing methods .

• In-store purchase
• On-site purchase
• Mail-order purchase

At Linkus, we do not charge any commission, appraisal fee, cancellation fee, etc. We also provide a free pre-appraisal service that lets you know the price of your wine in advance, so please feel free to use our service .
Linksus also focuses on transactions between businesses. We also accept requests from businesses who wish to dispose of large amounts of wine , so please feel free to contact us.
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summary

Wine labels are packed with a variety of information and act like a business card . Just knowing the basics of wine labels will make choosing wine much easier , so be sure to use this article as a reference to learn more.
In addition, alcohol purchasing company Linksus purchases wine at high prices .
If you have any wine you are unsure what to do with, please contact Linksus.