Guide of French Wines : How to Read a Wine Label

How to Read a Wine Label

Between the classification, the name of the wine, the year and the AOC, it's not always easy to be found there. But the label says some much on a wine. Directions for use.

Grand cru classé

It's the classification. It makes it possible to indicate the membership to this official classification.
For Bordeaux, one finds for example: Bordeaux, Bordeaux supérieur, Cru bourgeois, Cru classé, Grand cru classé or Premier grand cru classé.

Illustration

The illustration is generally a representation of the castle, a field or a blazon.

Château La Lagune

It's the name of the wine exploitation (castle, field) or a trade mark.

1970

It's the year. It corresponds to the harvest year of the grape and production of the wine. This date relates to only the wines coming completely from the harvest year.

Haut-Medoc

It's the Name of the AOC (Name of Controlled origin). This denomination "Appellation controlee" must obligatorily be reproduced on the label of AOC. It indicates that the vine grower respected a precise schedule of conditions.

12,5% vol.

It's the alcoholic strength.

S.C.A du château La Lagune, Proriétaire à Ludon (Gironde)

It's the Name (or company name) and Address of producer (or trader).

France

It's the country of origin.

75 Cl

It's the capacity of the bottle.

Mise en bouteille au château

It's the place of setting out of bottle. If the wine were bottled on the place of production, one indicates "Mis en bouteille à la propriété", "au château" or "au domaine". One can also find "Mis en bouteille à la propriété par..." who indicates that a third ensured the wine making.