Question on the info on a label

I am taking the leap here and showing my ignorance but hey, how else can I learn if I don't ask stupid questions. As I tell my students there is no such thing as a stupid question. It is an inexpensive bottle of red wine here is the info on the label...

100% Merlot

2005
Merlot
Monsieur Touton
Bordeaux
Appelation Bordeaux Controlee


Bordeaux red wine

Is this a wine made from merlot grapes in the bordeaux region of France?
Thanks.
Tom

In a word, you are absolutely right. On both counts, it is a Merlot from Bordeaux, and there are no stupid questions.

Robin has a very nice description of how to decode a wine label:

http://www.wineloverspage.com/wines/labels.shtml

Welcome to WLDG. Regards, Bob

Is this a wine made from merlot grapes in the bordeaux region of France?

Yes.

Actually, I have heard some stupid questions, but this isn't one.

Robin has a Wine Label Decorder page here:
http://wineloverspage.com/wines/labels.shtml

I'd also suggest a basic wine book to help "decode," as regions and countries do things differently

I am taking the leap here and showing my ignorance but hey, how else can I learn if I don't ask stupid questions. As I tell my students there is no such thing as a stupid question. It is an inexpensive bottle of red wine here is the info on the label...

100% Merlot

2005
Merlot
Monsieur Touton
Bordeaux
Appelation Bordeaux Controlee


Bordeaux red wine

Is this a wine made from merlot grapes in the bordeaux region of France?
Thanks.
Tom

Of course, if you don't know the answer no question is stupid. Still, I am interested in knowing what it is about this particular label that does not make you certain that it is produced from merlot grapes in Bordeaux.

Can you elaborate?

OK, Gary posts exactly what I'm saying on fumigation thread, and Bob beats me here. I feel so useless!

But I still think there are plenty of stupid questions.

Ask one, if it's so easy!

Thanks,
This is my second post and I promise I won't say this again as I said it in the thread of my first post but what a wonderful bunch of people you seem to be.
Tom

Thanks,
This is my second post and I promise I won't say this again as I said it in the thread of my first post but what a wonderful bunch of people you seem to be.
Tom

But Tom, can you elaborate as to why you did not get the merlot and Bordeaux information from that label?

What on the label confused you?

I'm interested in such subjects.

"""100% Merlot

2005
Merlot
Monsieur Touton
Bordeaux
Appelation Bordeaux Controlee


Bordeaux red wine"""

Ask one, if it's so easy!

Bob, I wouldn't consider any honest question re wine on this forum as stupid. But addressing the blanket statement "there are no stupid questions," yesterday 10 AM a woman walked into my office- door is open, sign on door gives office hours (8:00-4:30), lights are on, I'm at computer, helper is sorting clothing. Her question "are you open?"

I politely told her yes and repeated the office hours, she said thanks, and left. Never came back.

Ah, I was thinking that you couldn't ask a stupid question, Dale.

I've often wondered about those "are you open" questions. It's really hard to get into people's minds.

Thomas,
I am still learning the different types of grapes and the regions and just wanted to make sure I was right is all. I guess I could have researched on line but this is more fun.
Tom

Dale, I've had the opposite situation. A worker was installing a security system in a branch library and had to work in the narrow entry way so we posted a large sign saying the library was temporarily closed. The worker was blocking the entrance kneeling on the floor with his tools scattered around him and a service member steps over him and strides in. I say "The library is closed" and he replies "You're not open?"

Tom, I'm going to ask another question that I've been wondering about, and since you're new you will probably want to know the answer as well.

On the back labels of some wines they give a description of the characteristics of the wine. I know some of you have made comments before about this not being very reliable. But for someone new to wine trying to distinguish what they are smelling and tasting can it be helpful?

Thomas,
I am still learning the different types of grapes and the regions and just wanted to make sure I was right is all. I guess I could have researched on line but this is more fun.
Tom

Thanks, Tom. I suppose the thing for you to remember is that every wine label has a pattern--the pattern varies from country to country but not by much. Once you learn the pattern, you can understand the information.

By pattern I mean, the placement of the name of the grape or wine name, producer name, appellation location, etc. is regulated. The information must always appear in the same place on the label and even in a prescribed font and point size.

"On the back labels of some wines they give a description of the characteristics of the wine. I know some of you have made comments before about this not being very reliable. But for someone new to wine trying to distinguish what they are smelling and tasting can it be helpful?"

Great question, Ronica. I know some wine lovers don't pay much attention to that seller's talk on the back of labels, but I've always found it interesting. Partly I suppose because I read all labels, all the time, breakfast cereal, olive oil, milk cartons, etc., etc.

But Jancis Robinson made a very telling point at a lecture I attended in Boston several years ago. She was surveying reasonably price wines, and she picked up a bottle, read the name, etc. from the front, then turned the bottle around and said: "Let's see what the winemaker promises us." In response to a question, she emphasized that one must always make up one's own mind about a wine, but that any information is useful -- and winemakers tend to describe what they are trying to accomplish.

After ten years and over 40,000 tasting notes, I still read the labels and quote them from time to time. For example, this note form a couple of weeks ago:

WTN: Iona Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Walker Bay South Africa 2004. $8.00 a glass at Endless Vines; $24 per bottle. Imported by Martin-Scott Wines, http://www.martinscottwines.com/

Ruby red color, medium hue, lovely aroma of red fruits and spice, very good berry flavors with hints of earth, mushrooms and -- as the label promises -- nutmeg and cinnamon, medium mouth feel, smooth tannins, very good blance, long lingering finish with berrry, spice, earth and mushroom notes. I tried this wine a second time a week later just to confirm my original impression of nutmeg and cinnamon -- and sure enough they were both distinctly there. A very nice wine -- especially nice for a wine from South Africa, which hasn't impressed me much in the past. 4*.


My advice: always read the back labels -- the text is the last chance a winemaker has to described his or her wine -- but it's always up to the taster to make a personal decision on how well the winemaker achieved his or her objectives in making the wine.

Regards, Bob

On the back labels of some wines they give a description of the characteristics of the wine. I know some of you have made comments before about this not being very reliable. But for someone new to wine trying to distinguish what they are smelling and tasting can it be helpful?

Bob has already given you a great answer but let me add that some producers do it better than others. The best is most likely Ridge and I trust those notes. Of course the notes on the back of the Ridge wines are different for every wine and every vintage and appear to be genuine as well as dated so you have a reference point. The notes on the back of other wines I have noted to be exactly the same vintage after vintage after vintage when we all know that the wine inside is at least slightly different year to year.

The best is most likely Ridge and I trust those notes. Of course the notes on the back of the Ridge wines are different for every wine and every vintage and appear to be genuine as well as dated so you have a reference point. The notes on the back of other wines I have noted to be exactly the same vintage after vintage after vintage when we all know that the wine inside is at least slightly different year to year.

Absolutely, Brian. Paul Draper's notes on the back label of Ridge wines are legendary for both their honesty and their accuracy. However, I also find that certain importers put some very useful information on the back label of wines that they import. For instance, an importer of a Jurançon might tell us not only what grapes the wine is made from, but also what level of sweetness to expect from their Jurançon since they can vary from dry to sweet (and none of that information can legally be placed on the front label). If they also provide some information about whether the wine will benefit from aging and what kinds of food go well with it, I'm a satisfied customer.

Mark Lipton

"On the back labels of some wines they give a description of the characteristics of the wine. I know some of you have made comments before about this not being very reliable. But for someone new to wine trying to distinguish what they are smelling and tasting can it be helpful?"

Great question, Ronica. I know some wine lovers don't pay much attention to that seller's talk on the back of labels, but I've always found it interesting. Partly I suppose because I read all labels, all the time, breakfast cereal, olive oil, milk cartons, etc., etc.

But Jancis Robinson made a very telling point at a lecture I attended in Boston several years ago. She was surveying reasonably price wines, and she picked up a bottle, read the name, etc. from the front, then turned the bottle around and said: "Let's see what the winemaker promises us." In response to a question, she emphasized that one must always make up one's own mind about a wine, but that any information is useful -- and winemakers tend to describe what they are trying to accomplish.

After ten years and over 40,000 tasting notes, I still read the labels and quote them from time to time. For example, this note form a couple of weeks ago:

WTN: Iona Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Walker Bay South Africa 2004. $8.00 a glass at Endless Vines; $24 per bottle. Imported by Martin-Scott Wines, http://www.martinscottwines.com/

Ruby red color, medium hue, lovely aroma of red fruits and spice, very good berry flavors with hints of earth, mushrooms and -- as the label promises -- nutmeg and cinnamon, medium mouth feel, smooth tannins, very good blance, long lingering finish with berrry, spice, earth and mushroom notes. I tried this wine a second time a week later just to confirm my original impression of nutmeg and cinnamon -- and sure enough they were both distinctly there. A very nice wine -- especially nice for a wine from South Africa, which hasn't impressed me much in the past. 4*.


My advice: always read the back labels -- the text is the last chance a winemaker has to described his or her wine -- but it's always up to the taster to make a personal decision on how well the winemaker achieved his or her objectives in making the wine.

Regards, Bob

Oh Bob, thank you! I value the opinions of you veterans on the board. I kind of thought that if I read the notes of the vitner I would almost be "cheating," but sometimes I think the notes are helpful. I will continue to read the notes. I also use the aroma wheel to try to figure out what in the heck I'm tasting/smelling. This self teaching is challenging.

The best is most likely Ridge and I trust those notes. Of course the notes on the back of the Ridge wines are different for every wine and every vintage and appear to be genuine as well as dated so you have a reference point. The notes on the back of other wines I have noted to be exactly the same vintage after vintage after vintage when we all know that the wine inside is at least slightly different year to year.

Absolutely, Brian. Paul Draper's notes on the back label of Ridge wines are legendary for both their honesty and their accuracy. However, I also find that certain importers put some very useful information on the back label of wines that they import. For instance, an importer of a Jurançon might tell us not only what grapes the wine is made from, but also what level of sweetness to expect from their Jurançon since they can vary from dry to sweet (and none of that information can legally be placed on the front label). If they also provide some information about whether the wine will benefit from aging and what kinds of food go well with it, I'm a satisfied customer.

Mark Lipton

I think it would be helpful if the vitner put on the back of the label how long to age their wine. My husband is a big saver and loves to put wine away for a special occaision. We have several "agable" wines, the majority are "drink now."

I think it would be helpful if the vitner put on the back of the label how long to age their wine.

Even better if they said when to drink the wine IN TERMS OF CALENDAR YEARS, e.g. 2010-2012. It is one of my pet hates that people write "drink in 3 years time". 3 years from when?

I think it would be helpful if the vitner put on the back of the label how long to age their wine.

Even better if they said when to drink the wine IN TERMS OF CALENDAR YEARS, e.g. 2010-2012. It is one of my pet hates that people write "drink in 3 years time". 3 years from when?

[img]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/winelabels/kanon04-back.jpg[/img]

This is a tricky area because if a wine improves to a plateau, like this one, then people who are looking for a wine to drink in the short term (which is most people) will pass by.

Also this is, as always a guesstimate. I'd like the winery website to keep the winemakers notes for all their vintages (too many only show the latest) and update it annually with current drinking advice.

I understand that the Kanonkop label on wines sold in the USA doesn't show the graph but instead has the surgeons generals statement.

Jamie Goode has quite a nice collection of back labels and commentary on the good and bad at
http://www.wineanorak.com/winelabels1.htm

Back labels offer one of the few opportunities for producers to communicate with their public. Some take this chance well, others make a hash of it—and still others decide to go without a back label at all (they are extremely rare in Bordeaux, Burgundy and other classic French regions). Here I examine the back labels from a fairly random assortment of wines, and give some opinions.

Overall, I'm surprised producers don't take more care over their back labels. I guess if they are exporting to several countries they need several different ones. At the very least, I'd suggest getting them checked over by a native speaker of the language in question, and use of a spellchecker is also advised.

And, I like your own comments, Peter, on the back labels of many of the labels shown on your own site, especially this one:

Bloody Good White? Some Americans think the British say this word all the time, but we do not in polite society. Is it serious? It is seriously priced, but no varietal is named. The label has a great drawing of a tiger with a wicked grin licking its lips. See the notebook and fallen bottle. The matching back label is the page of the notebook with the (deceased) owners tasting notes broken off with scrawl just after claiming is was 'bloody good'.

http://www.winelabels.org/labels.htm

And, piling on a bit, the Ridge back labels are the class act in the back label world in my opinion.

Regards, Bob