How to Read a Wine Label - Herbert W Armstrong - September 1981

Herbert W Armstrong

The most important information on a California wine label is the name of the grape variety. A label that does not list a grape name but gives only a place name, such as "Joe Doe's California Burgundy" is a blend of various, usually lesser grade, grapes. The next most important piece of information is the geographical location of the grapes. This is important because a winery may be in a tip-top grape-growing region such as the Napa Valley, but nonetheless sell wine made from grapes grown in lesser quality regions such as the central valley. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library