How to Read a Wine Label: A Simple Guide

wine label gives key details to help understand what’s in the bottle: Producer/Brand – Who made the wine. Region/Appellation – Where the grapes were grown (quality often linked to region). Grape Variety – Type of grape (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay). Vintage – The year the grapes were harvested. Alcohol Content – Usually 11–15%, indicates body/strength. Quality Classification – Terms like AOC, DOC, or Reserve show grading standards. Simple rule: Producer + Region + Grape + Vintage = Wine Identity.

Old vines aren’t just marketing fluff. They’re heirlooms. They root deeper, weather more storms, and yield wines with nuance you can taste. But not every “old vine” label earns its keep. In my new post I break down: What defines a vine as “old” How depth and structure shift over time Regions and wines where age still matters If you care about terroir, longevity, and real depth in wine, this one’s for you. https://lnkd.in/ezGd-mCY

In Wine Business Monthly's recent deep dive on new dealcoholization technology, our winemaker Casey di Cesare shares what it takes to make a low-alcohol wine that sings. For Sunny with a Chance of Flowers, Casey starts by picking grapes at full ripeness and using yeasts that amplify aromatics. The goal? A base wine big on flavor, mouthfeel, and "a little fat" because any faults will only be magnified when alcohol is removed. When it comes to de-alc, Casey chooses reverse osmosis, a membrane technology that gently filters the wine. Unlike vacuum distillation, this method ensures the parts with key aromas and flavors remain untouched. The result? A vibrant, true-to-varietal wine that balances mindfulness with pleasure. Casey deliberately keeps Sunny around 9% ABV: "as low as we could while still making a great-tasting wine." At Scheid Family Wines, we’re proud to lead the way in the ‘better for you’ category, producing zero sugar, low alcohol wines that never sacrifice on quality or enjoyment. Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/gtR4Gfy4 #SunnyWithAChanceOfFlowers #Dealcoholization #ReverseOsmosis #CaseyDiCesare #LowAlcoholWine #WineInnovation #WindPoweredWine

🍷✨ Wine Wisdom Wednesday ✨🍷 Ever wondered what “vintage” really means on a wine label? Wine Shop Manager Gio explains it all in this week’s quick video! A vintage simply tells you the year the grapes were harvested. For example, a 2020 vintage means all the grapes came from that year. Some years are warmer, some cooler, which can change the flavour and style of the wine. In regions like Bordeaux or Burgundy, vintage is a big deal because the weather varies a lot year to year. But in more stable climates, like Australia or Chile, vintage matters a little less. Next time you pick up a bottle, take a moment to check the vintage – it’s a little snapshot of that year in the vineyard! Watch the full video with Gio and become a wine pro in seconds! #WineWisdomWednesday #EvertonsWineShop #WineTips #WineLovers #KnowYourWine

〘 EXTRAFERM D’FEND 〙Oxidation, colour loss, loss of freshness… White or rosé wines are especially sensitive to oxidative reactions during ageing. 🧪 Extraferm D’fend provides a natural, efficient alternative for preserving aroma and freshness by neutralising reactive quinones and maintaining volume and softness over time. Extraferm D’fend has proven to protect wine quality under various winemaking and packaging conditions: still wines, NoLow, tired wines, etc. 🎥 Discover more in our latest carousel: 👉 practical trials, graphs, and applications from wineries and research partners. #AdvancedWinemakingSolutions

🍂 October Alcohol Trends & Trade Insights As we enter October, it’s essential for trade partners to curate a portfolio that reflects both seasonal demand and enduring quality. This month, consumers are gravitating towards autumnal flavours, spiced spirits, and rich, full-bodied reds, while premium and single estate wines continue to lead in sophistication and desirability. For your trade shelves this month, we recommend: Red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz Fortified wines: Port Spirits: Spiced rum, orange gin Single estate / organic wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir By aligning your stock with these seasonal trends, you position your business as a knowledgeable, trusted supplier, helping maximise sales and strengthen your reputation in the industry. #TradeInsights #AlcoholTrendsUK #UKWineTrade #AutumnSales #PremiumWines #SpiritsOfTheMonth #LeBonVin #TradeAlcoholUK

When time is money For most red wines, each additional week spent in tanks, barrels, or bottles in the cellar delays financial returns. With economic sustainability in the wine industry under pressure nowadays, producers are increasingly seeking ways to shorten the winemaking timeline without sacrificing quality. In simple terms, it means to get wines on the shelves sooner. This is possible when certain key practices are effectively managed throughout the winemaking process. The LAFFORT solution This is where the MARKET-READY WINE (MRW) Protocol from LAFFORT comes in. Designed to help reds reach the shelf sooner. https://lnkd.in/gxrVz3xU #Winemaking #Oenology #LAFFORT #MarketReadyWine #PrecisionOenology

Even in a broadly subdued market, 2025 has shown that fine wine remains a story of selectivity and scarcity. A handful of standout wines have delivered strong double-digit returns, proving that, even during correction phases, the right names and vintages can outperform significantly. 3 key themes stand out among the top-performing wines in 2025 year-to-date: 1️⃣ Wines from once-overlooked vintages – such as Bordeaux 2013 and 2014 – have led the pack. Collectors appear increasingly willing to reward finesse, drinkability, and scarcity over hype. 2️⃣ Rhône wines continued to prove their value credentials. Driven by limited production, critical reliability, and comparatively attractive pricing. 3️⃣ Scarcity remains the strongest currency. Rare, blue-chip wines continue to attract capital regardless of broader sentiment. Read our full analysis and insights in our latest Q3 Fine Wine Report: https://lnkd.in/eptsbbWb

Wine on tap is shaking up the industry, offering fresher pours, lower costs, and a big sustainability win by ditching thousands of bottles and corks. Restaurants and wineries are proving that kegged wine is the smart, eco-friendly future of by-the-glass drinking.

Benchmark Wine Group Featured in Wine Industry Advisor! We’re proud to be included in Wine Industry Advisor’s coverage of the Wine Market Journal’s latest report, which highlights a bull market for rare wine. Signaling strong momentum for collectors and investors alike. According to the data: 📈 Fine & rare wines are trending upward across categories, with Bordeaux, Champagne, and White Burgundy leading gains. 💎 Port and Italy show standout growth, while mature vintages continue to shine. 📉 Only a few regions like Rhône and California cult wines, are seeing stabilization after years of rapid appreciation. As a trusted source for the world’s most sought-after bottles, we’re thrilled to see this renewed confidence in the secondary market and to play a role in helping collectors access provenance-guaranteed, investment-worthy wines. Read the full article here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dgzpYmmd #BenchmarkWineGroup #FineWine #RareWine #WineInvestment #WineMarketJournal #WineIndustryAdvisor #WineCollectors #NapaValley #WineProvenance