As this blog has discussed previously, the content of wine labels isn’t just about looking good: claims made on labels need to correspond with the law to help enforce compliance. Certain states may have different rules concerning what a label should display. As a major source of wine within the United States, California has its own policies that winemakers must consider.
Writing for the Post-Bulletin, Ari Kolas of Apollo Wine & Spirits references the rules that apply to labels for wines from this part of the country. One of the key examples he gives is the term “produced and bottled”. Although this term is usually found in small print on the bottle, it means that at least 75 percent of the grapes were under the direct control of the winemaker.
This statement of wine quality could influence the buyer’s decision to purchase, Kolas implies.
“Produced and bottled lets you know that there is loving care going into each bottle,” he writes. However, he is sure to add that “other terms, like ‘cellared and bottled,’ ‘vinted and bottled,’ ‘made and bottled,’ don’t necessarily mean that a wine is not good. It just means that it doesn’t have the same care and handmade attention that produced-and-bottled wines do.”
Being specific also helps advise establishments that would sell wines. California has laws that pertain to when and how beverages can be served in restaurants and bars, as well as how much can be produced by a certain company, so knowing these could influence the language you use on the label.
When the specific wording and clarity of an item on wine labels is important, it takes a high-quality color label printer to render it correctly. A system that gives the creator of the wine control over how the information is displayed helps make it easy for buyers to read.