There's much more to wines than the color of the drink, and much of the important information can be gleaned from the label. Though many modern wineries and producers craft fun, cute logos for their bottles, a wine lover should look beyond the flashy graphics and read the print. Here are some things to look for on a wine label. The Varietal Most wines are named after the grapes from which they are made. A Sauvignon Blanc, for example, is made using Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and a Merlot wine is made from Merlot grapes. Different varietals of grapes, and therefore different types of wine, each have some general characteristics, so having a basic understanding that a Sauvignon Blanc grape generally yields fruity flavors like lime, green apple, and peach can direct someone who prefers those flavors to the right wine. The Region Perhaps second in importance to the variety of grape used is the name of the region. This label information tells a potential buyer where the grapes in the wine were sourced. Wine experts typically agree that larger or vague regions are of lower quality than wines that list a narrow region or specific vineyard. Wine tasting is subjective, however, the more specific the region, generally the more expensive the wine. Alcohol by Volume Many a wine lover knows that the alcohol level reveals more about the wine than just how many glasses you can have without your head pounding the next morning. Many European wines, by region, have alcohol content requirements. U.S. wines can have alcohol contents as high as 17 percent. Wines with higher alcohol content are generally made from riper grapes, which can create a fruity flavor. Higher alcohol levels can also make wines drier. There's more to a wine label than just pretty graphics. A savvy wine lover knows how to read the label to assist in wine selection and pairing.
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