Wine Labels Research Articles

Importance, use and awareness of South Australian geographical indications

Background and Aims This research concerns the use of geographical indications (GIs) by South Australian wine producers to form their brand identity, for example, the inclusion of GIs on wine labels and consumers' association of wine regions with particular grape cultivars. Methods and Results The use and importance of GI designations by 103 South Australian wine producers was investigated via an online survey. The inclusion of GIs on labels was valued significantly higher for wines priced above $A15.00, compared with lower priced wines. A similar finding was observed following analysis of the label content of 540 commercially available South Australian wines, with GIs more likely to be used for key grape cultivars. A survey of 304 wine consumers showed key grape cultivars are closely associated with specific wine regions, the strongest unassisted association being the Coonawarra region with Cabernet Sauvignon. Conclusions South Australian wine producers valued and frequently used GIs for wines priced above $A15.00 and analysis of wine label content supported this finding. Significance of the Study These findings highlight and validate wine producers' use of GIs to establish their brand identity and the associations consumers make between regions and grape cultivars.

Effect of Various Treatments and Filtration Methods on Eliminating Residues of Casein-based Fining Agents from Wine

Milk-based fining materials that are used during winemaking may trigger allergic reactions. If they are present in the final product and depending on a country’s legislation, these substances may have to be declared on the wine label. This labeling helps consumers with allergies avoid wines that may trigger their allergic symptoms. This study investigated the utility of several procedures for removing allergenic residues remaining in wine after the use of milk protein-containing fining agents. Winemaking practices are different depending on country and areas, and because of these different standards, a fining trial was conducted to study the efficiency of various filtration methods and of other treatments for reducing the levels of milk-derived allergens, even in a worst-case scenario involving the use of high amounts of fining agents. ELISA was used to detect milk proteins in wine, and in vivo allergy tests were also conducted. All filtration methods used in this study removed casein from both red and white wines to levels undetectable by the ELISA. Other removal methods evaluated in this study were equally efficient, apart from flash pasteurization or silica sol, when a large amount of casein was applied. However, an additional sterile filtration after flash pasteurization or silica sol fining decreased casein proteins to undetectable levels as well.

Perception of wine labels by Hong Kong Chinese consumers

Despite Hong Kong׳s growing wine consumption and the abundance of retail brands available there, the demanding choice task faced by its wine consumers, who are more subject to a mix of Chinese and Western cultural influences than consumers in other South Asian countries, has not been studied until now. This exploratory study aims to delve into the importance of wine label attributes for Hong Kong Chinese wine consumers, and to shed light on the ways in which their perceptions affect their choice of wine. Employing an online survey, the results suggest that Hong Kong Chinese wine consumers look for the top three most searched attributes: wine origin, grape variety, and food and wine pairing. A simple means differences test indicated that a traditional label design is favored over modern and contemporary wine labels, and that yellow is the most preferred color. However, a data-driven segmentation analysis reveals that about 95% of young Hong Kong Chinese wine consumers prefer “elegant contemporary” labels with red as the dominant color. These findings could be useful for wineries entering this market and for wine label designers who wish to better understand how Hong Kong wine consumers assess alternatives when choosing a bottle of wine.

European consumers’ interest toward nutritional information on wine labeling: A cross-country analysis

This paper explores, through an empirical analysis European consumers’ interest toward nutritional information on wine labels, examining interest, knowledge and understanding of these information. In this regard, results from direct survey with a cross-country sample of 500 wine consumers (i.e. respondents drinking at least once a month) living in Italy, France and Spain are presented and discussed. Preliminary results reveal that consumers are quite confused about the nutritional aspects of wine and tend to be interested in receiving nutritional information on wine labels. However, the interest expressed towards this kind of information differ from country to country and is influenced by other socio-demographic variables. Findings from current research should be valuable to contribute to the debate on updating international and national standards on wine labelling concerning nutrition. At the same time, the research provides a number of useful indications for policy makers in defining future development of wine nutritional labelling programs and in implementing strategies focused in enhancing efficacy and readability of labels.

Text Detection in Scene Images Based on Interest Points

Text in images is one of the most important cues for understanding a scene. In this paper, we propose a novel approach based on interest points to localize text in natural scene images. The main ideas of this approach are as follows: first we used interest point detection techniques, which extract the corner points of characters and center points of edge connected components, to select candidate regions. Second, these candidate regions were verified by using tensor voting, which is capable of extracting perceptual structures from noisy data. Finally, area, orientation, and aspect ratio were used to filter out non-text regions. The proposed method was tested on the ICDAR 2003 dataset and images of wine labels. The experiment results show the validity of this approach.

Representaciones multimodales de metáforas y metonimias en las etiquetas de vino de la D.O. ca. Rioja

In this paper, we will try to offer an analysis of multimodal representations in a sample of Riojan wine labels. Basic formal operation such as cueing has allowed us to present metonymic and metaphoric relations existing between brand names, their origins, Riojan culture as well as viticultural aspects. We present four models of pictorial metaphors and a model of blended space. The role of these conceptual mappings in meaning derivation is relevant in multimodal genre as well as in the communicative functions of wine labels. In this study we have considered ontological metonymies (Kövecses & Radden, 1998), formal and content cognitive operations (Ruiz de Mendoza, 2001, 2011) as well as multimodal representations (Forceville, 2005, 2009).

Package Graphic Design: Investigating the Variables that Moderate Consumer Response to Atypical Designs

Designers and marketing managers often agree that visual codes, in terms of product and package design, typify certain product categories. These “category‐based visual codes” refer to the formal and graphic characteristics most frequently seen in a given category, like specific shapes, colors, materials, typefaces, layouts, and illustrations. Given that the concept of “category‐based visual codes” seems to be connected with the concepts of “perceived typicality,” “cognitive categories,” “family resemblance,” and “design newness,” this research examines the impact of typicality/atypicality judgments regarding the visual appearance of a product on consumers' aesthetic appreciation and purchase intent. Several studies have sought to determine the relationships among design perceived typicality, aesthetic appreciation, and purchase intent. However, the literature indicates contradictory results. While some studies have shown a preference for the most typical design, others have demonstrated that consumers prefer moderately atypical design. This paper offers an explanation for this discrepancy by providing evidence that the relationships among design perceived typicality, aesthetic appreciation, and purchase intent are a case of moderated mediation. An empirical study using wine labels was conducted with 780 respondents. The results indicate that the relationships among perceived typicality, aesthetic appreciation, and purchase intent are linear and positive, although several individual variables have a moderating effect. Thus, it appears that certain consumer segments are more likely to appreciate atypical packages. Moreover, the level of perceived risk at the time of purchase also plays an essential role. Consumers are more apt to accept atypical packaging when the perceived risk is low. Several theoretical and managerial implications are drawn from these results.

Development of a sensitive ELISA for the detection of casein-containing fining agents in red and white wines.

Fining of wine with proteinogenic fining agents such as casein from cow's milk is a traditional and commonly used technique all over the world. Casein and other proteins from cow's milk are well-known food allergens, which pose a risk for allergic consumers. Temporary regulations exempting the labeling of milk and products thereof in wine expired. Since July 1, 2012, these fining agents have to be declared on the wine label under Regulation (EU) No. 579/2012 in conjunction to article 120g of Regulation (EU) No. 1234/2007 if exceeding the threshold of 0.25 mg/L allergenic protein. The aim of the presented study was to develop sensitive ELISA methods for the detection of casein in white and red wines and to investigate the risk of allergenic residues in fined wines. In this context it was shown that the used substance for calibration is highly relevant. Casein wine fining agents of different commercial producers were investigated by LDS-PAGE and immunoblot. In addition to casein, they contain other milk proteins, which are potentially allergic and therefore have to be incorporated in the development of antibodies for an ELISA method to be set up. An indirect ELISA for the investigation of white wine was developed. The LOD is 0.1 mg/L. For red wine the LOD is 0.2 mg/L in an indirect sandwich ELISA setup. The LOD of the indirect sandwich ELISA for white wine depends on the calibration standard. It is 0.1 mg/L for the fining agent casein and 0.01 mg/L for casein from a chemical trader. It is also shown that the use of different technological procedures during winemaking leads to no detectable amounts of casein in various wine samples.

Region-of-origin (ROO) certification as marketing strategy in the South African wine market

Purpose – This purpose of the study was to examine the relevance of the presence of geographical information, specifically the certification of region of origin (ROO) on the wine label, in the consumer’s wine purchase decision. In addition, the research investigated how the relevance of ROO varies across demographic and behavioural market segments. Design/methodology/approach – The data gathered via an online questionnaire from 434 South African wine consumers were analysed by employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Findings – The ROO of wine plays a secondary role in influencing consumers when faced with a purchasing decision on its own. However, as part of the composite regional variable, namely, grape variety, region and wine style, it plays a major role in influencing consumers. The specific wine grape variety emerged as the most important factor influencing consumers. It was also found that consumers with a high involvement and interest in wine assign a higher degree of relevance to certification of origin of wine than consumers with a low involvement. Practical implications – Wine producers should strive to create a “lighthouse” identity in the minds of consumers. This can only be achieved if most, if not all, the wine producers in a specific geographical area consistently and authentically communicate the same message and offer products with a lighthouse identity to wine consumers. Originality/value – This is the first study that examines the impact of ROO as an information cue on consumers’ wine purchase decision-making in South Africa. It is of value to academic researchers, wine marketing professionals and generic marketing organisations such as wine route organisations.

Technological change in the wine market? The role of QR codes and wine apps in consumer wine purchases

As an experiential good, wine purchases in the absence of tastings are often challenging and information-laden decisions. Technology has shaped the way consumers negotiate this complex purchase process. Using a sample of 631 US wine consumers, this research aims to identify the role of mobile applications and QR codes in the wine purchase decision. Results suggest that wine consumers that consider themselves wine connoisseurs or experts, enjoy talking about wine, and are interested in wine that is produced locally, organically, or sustainably are more likely to employ technology in their wine purchase decision. While disruption appears to have occurred on the supply side (number of wine applications available and the number of wine labels with a QR code), this research suggests that relatively little change is occurring on the demand side (a relatively small segment of the population—those already interested in wine—are employing the technology to aid in their purchase decision).

건강 라이프스타일이 와인 선택속성에 미치는 영향

본 연구의 목적은 건강 라이프스타일와 와인 선택속성의 영향관계와 건강라이프스타일과 와인선택속성이 만족도에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위한 것이다. 본 연구를 위한 자료는 2013년 8월 29일 - 9월 29일까지(30일) 수집되어 285부가 분석에 이용되었다. 견강 라이프스타일와 와인 선택속성의 영향관계를 알아보기 위하여 정준상관분석과 회귀분석을 하였다. 요인분석결과, 건강 라이프스타일은 '건강자신감', '건강민감형', '건강에 대한 의지라는 3개의 요인으로 이루어졌으며 와인 선택속성 또한 와인라벨 특성, 경험적 특성 그리고 추천요인인 3개의 요인으로 구성되었다. 분석결과 건강에 대한 의지와 경험적 특성은 유의한 영향관계가 있는 것으로 나타났으며 건강 라이프스타일 중 건강에 대한 의지형이 구매 후 만족도에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났으며 와인선택속성은 와인라벨특성과 경험적 특성이 구매 후 만족도에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. The purpose of this research is to find out how the characteristics of healthy lifestyle and wine selection influence each other, and how healthy life and wine selection themselves influence the overall satisfaction of wine. The data collected for this study was taken from a sample of 285 persons during the period of August 29, 2013 to September 29, 2013. Extrapolating from the data, three different characteristics of a healthy lifestyle were identified: health confidence, health sensibility and a desire for good health. Three different characteristics of wine selection were also identified: wine label, wine experience and wine recommendation. The relations of influence between healthy lifestyle and wine selecting attributes were analysed through canonical correlation and regression analysis. This report concludes that healthy lifestyle and wine selection strongly influence each other and their combination has a significant influence on the satisfaction of wine. Among the different healthy lifestyle characteristics identified, the desire for good health was the primary factor that significantly influenced wine satisfaction. With regard to wine selection, the label of wine and experience of wine were the primary factors that significantly influenced wine satisfaction.

Wine labels in Austrian food retail stores: A semiotic analysis of multimodal red wine labels

Wine labels in Austrian food retail stores: A semiotic analysis of multimodal red wine labels

Development of a Method for the Quantification of Caseinate Traces in Italian Commercial White Wines Based on Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization–Ion Trap–Mass Spectrometry

A method using the combination of size exclusion-solid phase extraction and ultrafiltration, followed by tryptic digestion and analysis of the protein digest by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-3D ion trap-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-3D IT-MS), was developed for the detection and quantification of caseinate traces potentially resulting from fining processes in white wines. In particular, several tryptic peptides generated from the main proteins constituting caseinate (β-, αS1-, and αS2-caseins) were used as markers of its presence in the wine matrices; among them, the β-casein peptide GPFPIIV was found to be the best marker for quantification purposes. Method linearity and sensitivity were assessed on a series of Italian commercial white wines, first checked for the absence of any peptide signal attributable to caseins introduced during their production and subsequently spiked with increasing concentrations of caseinate, to provide samples for matrix-matched calibrations. Limits of detection ranging between 0.09 and 0.29 mg/L (S/N = 3), according to the wine, were achieved using a 10 mL sample volume and the MS signal of GPFPIIV as the response related to the caseinate concentration. Such levels are comparable or even lower than the one (0.25 mg/L) recently adopted as a threshold by European Union legislation concerning the indication of milk- and egg-derived fining agents on wine labels, that is, the most restrictive one among those currently proposed in the world.

Collaborative Interlaboratory Studies for the Validation of ELISA Methods for the Detection of Allergenic Fining Agents Used in Wine According to the Criteria of OIV Resolution 427–2010 Modified by OIV–Comex 502–2012

The clarification or fining of wine removes undesired substances (mainly proteins, phenols, and tannins), which would roil the wine and cause bitterness and astringency. A common fining agent, egg white, can be directly added to wine through the inlet of a circulating pump, but more typically egg white comes as commercial preparation in powdered form (commercially named egg albumin). Skimmed milk or more frequently purified caseinates are used to remove bitterness and hardness of white wine and sherry. Both egg white and caseinates are fining agents with optimal enological properties, but their residues could represent a risk for subjects suffering from food allergy. The rules for allergen labeling were detailed in Directives 2003/89/EC, and Directive 2005/26/EC established a list of food ingredients provisionally excluded from labeling, that included wine fining agents. Extended till June 2012, wine labeling exemption can be now maintained only if (1) egg and milk derivatives are not used and cross-contamination is under control; and (2) wine clarified with such products is negative for the presence of residues using techniques with detection and quantification limits of 0.25 and 0.5 ppm, respectively. Analytical requirements were defined in the OIV resolution 427–2010 (OIV 2010) modified by OIV/COMEX 502–2012 (OIV 2012). On the basis of a previous experience, an interlaboratory collaborative trial was organized to validate a commercial ELISA kit designed to measure allergenic residues in red wine fined with egg white proteins. In the meantime, the performance of the commercial caseinate ELISA kit for white wine was rechecked according to the new limit of detection and limit of quantification values, recommended by OIV in 2012. The collaborative interlaboratory studies showed that both ELISA kits had good reproducibility, repeatability, and robustness in detecting residues of allergenic fining agents in wine, in good agreement with the requirements of the OIV resolution 427–2010 modified by OIV/COMEX 502–2012.

Wine label design as a strategic tool to attract consumers. A marketing study on Sicilian wine positioning

Negli ultimi anni il packaging e stato considerato dalle aziende vinicole uno tra i piu importanti strumenti del marketing. Infatti, grazie all’utilizzazione di immagini e testi, e possibile comunicare chiaramente al mercato messaggi coerenti con i prodotti, con i valori dell’azienda e con i target di consumatori di riferimento. In questo studio si e voluto conoscere quanto le etichette siano importanti per le cantine siciliane nelle scelte di posizionamento dei loro vini. Si e voluta, inoltre, misurare l’influenza che le etichette esercitano sui consumatori, indirizzando ed orientando le preferenze al momento dell’acquisto di un vino, senza tralasciare l’eventuale effetto attrattivo causato dal nome della cantina. Pertanto, e stata effettuata un’indagine campionaria per conoscere le opinioni dei consumatori su un campione di etichette di vini siciliani opportunamente selezionato, dopo aver classificato le etichette in quattro macro-categorie. In tal modo e stato possibile misurare la dipendenza statistica, rispettivamente, tra i prezzi edonici (attribuiti dai consumatori) e reali (di mercato) dei vini aventi quelle etichette, e le quattro cate- gorie di etichette considerate. Successivamente e stata anche misurata la concordanza statistica tra i due ordini lineari dei prezzi dei vini (edonici e di mercato). I confronti sono stati effettuati, sempre, in due diverse situazioni: prima eliminando il nome della cantina dalle etichette mostrate e poi lasciando che il consumatore potesse vederlo, volendo testare, in tal modo, l’influenza del brand name. Infine, per ciascuna categoria di etichettte, sono stati confrontati i prezzi edonici con i giudizi assegnati dai consumatori alle caratteristiche estetiche ed al design di ciascuna di esse. I risultati hanno messo in luce che le cantine siciliane hanno saputo ben centrare, nella scelta delle etichette per i loro vini, i target di consumatori prescelti, in coerenza con la mission ed i valori fondamentali dell’azienda. Le etichette, infatti, ben rappresentavano le caratteristiche qualitative dei vini a cui facevano riferimento, essendo risultate coerenti con il prezzo di mercato del vino e con i contenuti comunicati dall’azienda. Sono risultate alcune differenze di opinioni in base alla presenza o meno del nome della cantina nelle etichette.

What to show on the wine labels: a hedonic analysis of price drivers of Sicilian wines

Unlike previous literature, we construct a hedonic model of wine price that incorporates all the main categories of variables simultaneously to enable a better evaluation of their importance on wine price formation. A comprehensive model has the advantage of providing more reliable estimates of the attributes' implicit prices thereby facilitating firms' pricing and improving effectiveness of wine production and marketing decisions. We utilize two different datasets of Sicilian wines collecting data from influential wine guides. Our results suggest that wine price strongly depends on objective features such as vintage, alcoholic content, geographical origin, grape variety, producer size and cellaring potential. In addition, use of containers like tonneaux and barrique positively affects prices, whereas use of concrete containers has a negative influence. No univocal indications emerge with regard to the effect of the type of company, type of viticulture and firm age. As for sensorial characteristics, our analysis provides novel evidence of the importance of olfactory variables such as aroma intensity and the presence of particular smells in the wine. Finally, current guides’ grades and firm reputation play a crucial role in determining wine prices as well.

Declaring Allergens Has Become Mandatory

In cases of allergic or intolerance reactions after drinking wine, some thought should be given to possible associations with substances used during enological treatments. Some substances with a high allergenic potential, such as sulfites or sulfur dioxide, were actually mentioned in the article. These substances, if used in quantities in excess of 10 mg per kg or liter, have to be declared in foods as well as in wine. However, the use of other enological treatments, such as lysozyme or ovalbumin or casein from cow‘s milk, is less commonly known. The presence of such substances in wine can accordingly trigger undesirable reactions in patients with existing allergies to cow‘s milk or egg protein. According to Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 579/2012 of the European Commission of 29 June 2012, these substances will now have to be declared in wine, in the same way as in other foods, if they are present in the final product. This is helpful for affected patients, but it means that in future, the declaration of allergens on the wine label will have to be read even more carefully.

To What Extent Do Wineries Study Their Consumers and Visitors? Implications for Wine Tourism Development

In their quest for long-term sustainability and financial success, winery entrepreneurs increasingly perceive wine tourism and tourism-related enterprises as important facets of their business strategy. However, to benefit from wine tourism activities, winery operators will need to develop new skills and business capabilities. In this context, learning from and understanding consumers and visitors' preferences and expectations is of paramount importance to wineries' long-term sustainability and, importantly, their financial success. This study examines the extent to which winery owners and managers "study" their visitors, gathering data from 451 Italian, Spanish, and New World small and medium wineries. The majority of respondents indicate studying visitors to some extent; however, one third do not actively engage in activities that enable them to learn about visitor preferences and experiences, while over 40% would like to learn more about them. In addition, while respondents generally perceive studying visitors as beneficial, others are either skeptical or consider their current efforts sufficient. At a time when consumers have numerous leisure choices available to them, wineries and wine labels are operating in a highly competitive and increasingly sophisticated environment, these findings have significant implications for wine tourism specifically, as well as the hospitality and wine sectors generally.

On Being the Same Wine

Philosophers have been quarrelling for ages over the correct understanding of the identity relation and its applications, but seldom have they discussed the identity of foods, including beverages under this herd. Taking wine as a working example, the present study shows that foods call attention over unnoticed metaphysical difficulties, most importantly the role of authenticity in ascertaining the identity of an individual and the possibility of identity being determined by a collectivity of people. More in details, the paper examines the relationship between a rank of wines and its specific instances, that is, on what grounds some wine is of a certain rank. A “rank of wines” here stands for wines that are identical under some respect, be it the area of production, the style, the color, the variety, and so forth. Extant wine labels are taken as the best candidates to carve out a class of wine ranks that is metaphysically prior to any other; the analysis focuses on geographic indications because of the extensive discussion they have generated, but the morals here drawn extend also to other classes of wine ranks, such as those utilized by wine experts. After some introductory remarks (§1), the case is made that the identity of wines is established through judgments of authenticity (§2). Issues of authenticity are then discussed through the special case of geographic indications (§3). Two different views on how to justify the attribution of a geographic indication are presented and criticized; those rest respectively on terroir (§3.1) and chemical composition (§3.2). The last section (§4) argues for a conventionalist view on wine identity. Distancing itself from conventionalist proposals advanced to favor industrial wine production, the view defended here ties the identity of a wine to collective expert judgments of authenticity that are based on the extensive pleasure of the product.

Fighting Sicilian Corruption, One Vine at a Time

For the last decade, Libera Terra has been operating in Italy as a cooperative that turns land once used by the mafia into organic farms and undulating vineyards. Lemons, lentils, chickpeas, grapes—the land is as stunningly beautiful as it is heavy with history. The cooperative aims to make products that people buy not just for their stories but for their quality; provide workers with fair wages and respect; improve the daunting unemployment rate in Sicily, particularly among youth; and undo decades worth of systemic corruption. In 1996, the Italian government passed a law allowing land formerly used by the Mafia to be taken over by social cooperatives like Libera Terra. Centopassi is a winery under the umbrella of the Libera Terra cooperative. Self-described as “an attempt to produce high-quality wines as a way to give new dignity to lands and people that deserve a better future,” the wine label takes its name from the 2000 film of the same name, meaning “One Hundred Steps,” about the life of Giuseppe “Peppino” Impastato, an anti-Mafia activist who was killed in 1976.