Our last blog was about the German wine label and some basics on how to read them in order to pick a wonderful wine everytime. (At least 99% of the time!) We know that the label provides key information regarding the GI or Geographical Indications which are common to all the world's labels. This is used because where the grapes are grown will certainly have an effect on the style of the wine that is made. We also know that some wines are labeled by the type of grape. So, lets decide which is more important!
What's in a wine region?
We are going to focus on Europe. GI's that are outside of Europe (EU) are used to tell us where the grapes used to make the wine were grown. Grape growers can grow whatever variety they feel would be successful and there are few restrictions on what the grower can do. For this reason the style of wine from these GI's outside the EU can vary and consumers need to look for other information (like the grape variety) to get a feel of style they should expect. Now, GI's in the EU are used to indicate where the grapes are grown, but every GI comes with extra regulations that can state what grapes may be grown as well as how the wines should be made. This is super helpful to consumers because it is a reliable indicator of what to expect in the bottle! GI's in Europe are further broken down into two groups:
PDO or Protected Designation of Origin. PGI or Protected Geographical Indication. PDO's cover relatively small areas that have tight regulations. Europe's most famous and fancy wines are classified as PDO. In France you'd look for AOP or AOC. (Appellation d'origine protegee and Appellation d'origine controlee) In Italy you'd see DOC or DOCG. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) In Spain it is DO or DOCa. (Denominacion de Origen and Denominacion de Origen Calificada) and last but certainly not least Germany! Qualitatswein and Pradikatswein which we touched on last blog as well. You are doing great to remember those acronyms mean there is something scrumptious in that bottle.
The second group is PGI and this covers a much larger area and less strict regulations. This allows the growers some flexibility of what they grow and how they make the wine. Usually, not always, these wines are a less expensive option yet still acceptable quality. The terms you'd see on these labels are as follows. In France, IGP or Indication geographique protegee and VdP or Vin de pays. In Italy IGT or Indicazione Geografica. In Spain Vino de la Tierra. And lastly my fav Germany you'd look for Landwein. Since I am focused on Importing wines from small vineyards in Europe, that is where we will end this section. However, this information is important to me after I have visited the wineries, met the family and tasted the wine. That certification can be tasted more after you have the full story.
Some other fun facts to look for on labels:
The vine age can be useful some as the older the vine the less that they will produce and the smaller the crop could mean the grape can be more concentrated with complex aromas. An example in French wine would be "Vieilles vignes" which means old vines. Do you know the vintage date is the year the grapes were harvested. This could be helpful if you know that a country or region had a mild winter that year or hot summer that could definitely effect the quality of grape good or not. This can be most useful when you are spending a high retail price. Last one I always found a shocker but good to know is Botrytis... aka Noble Rot. Noble or not it kinda well...sounds gross. This likely why you'll see it as Botrytis. This indicates that the grapes have been affected by noble rot. This gives the grape a super high level of sugars and acid. These grapes are nearly always used to make sweet wines. So, if you don't like sweet wine, don't get this one.
This leaves us with the grapes in the wine regions.
This is a long list of different varietals throughout the world and actually growing due to mixing and making new hybrid varietals. I actually will give you more information in the coming weeks about the German wines in our portfolio and some we don't have. Stay tuned!!!
In my very best conclusion:
I really wanted to make a dent in how we pick our wines to purchase. If you are like most people, you like the label, no not the information on the label, the picture. Wine makers have adjusted everywhere with this knowledge. This may sell the first bottle, but will it sell the second? I am also a sucker for a cool label, but it must be matched by an incredible wine. So, I ask you to give the label reading a try in a different view. There are way too many wines out there being missed because you don't like the pic or don't know about the country it is from or think you know!!
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