Just as you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge the quality of a wine by the attractiveness of its label—although it’s true that many novice wine buyers will be drawn to pick up a bottle with an eye-catching design. Still, it’s clear that some winemakers care as much about the image they present on the bottle as they do about the contents within, so let’s take a moment to appreciate the artistry of wine labels.
In the United States, the federal government requires certain information to be present on every bottle of wine sold. This information includes the brand name, location bottled, and alcohol content, as well as the standard Surgeon General’s warning about the effects of alcohol on pregnant women and operating machinery. Certain types of wine, such as those that wish to be labeled “organic,” must also meet a certain set of standards maintained by the USDA. Beyond these standard regulations, however, a wine label may contain all manner of buzzwords and adjectives. These “unregulated terms” include such enticing phrases as “Special Selection,” or “Limited Release” — phrases that may not in fact mean anything at all!
The imagery of a wine bottle may not tell you much about the taste of the wine, but it will surely give you a sense of the winery, which may influence your enjoyment of their product.
Perhaps you appreciate a wine label with a classical vintage look, something that impresses as part of the décor as well as part of the meal:
Or maybe your own events are low-key and casual, just an excuse to have a good time. You and your guests might enjoy bottles of wine with labels that entertain and inform:
Whether you prefer elegance or excitement, it’s likely that you can find a wine label that fits your mood…and if that label is attached to a wine you love, even better. There are a number of online galleries that offer photographs of several different wine labels, which you might enjoy browsing even if you could never see yourself purchasing the bottle. Here are a couple to get you started on your career as a wine label aesthete:
Bourbon Street Photography Wine Label Gallery
