Wine Labels & Classifications
Decode bottles and the classification language that tells you where a wine is from and how it was made.
Varietal vs. Regional Labels
Named by grape, or named by place.
France: AOC/AOP, Cru & Appellation
The system that inspired the wine world.
Italy: DOC, DOCG & IGT
Italy’s tiers — origin and rules, not a quality promise.
Spain: Crianza, Reserva & Gran Reserva
Aging terms — a style cue, not just a ranking.
United States: AVA & Varietal Labeling
Grape-first labels and defined growing areas.
How to Decode a Bottle Quickly
A fast routine that works on almost any label.