Oenographile and the Layman

Abstract

The study of wine labels can be a non vinous entry to the wine world. There was self labelling of vats before 3000BC — followed by that of smaller vessels, and later, corks. Paper labels were used in the nineteenth century, and became compulsory in the twentieth. To assess a wine, the grape variety, the soil of the area indicated, and the climate, will form the platform upon which to impose the effect of the complicated regulations appearing on the front label. It may be necessary to discount near deception, or over advertisement. The basic wine laws of two countries are highlighted in order to appraise three illustrated labels. Concluding are brief indicative notes of some other countries.