Bordeaux Wine Label Information

Bordeaux region in France is unique in its wine laws which have evolved for centuries, making it the most classified wine region of the world. The most famous wine classification in the world is the one that came into being in 1855 and was subsequently known as the 'Classed Growths' of Médoc, one from Graves and sweet wines of Sauternes-Barsac. According to this, the Châteaux or estates were classified into five tiers based on the relative quality of their wines as expressed by the prices at that time.

Some other notable classifications within the region are those of the 1955 Official Classification of St.-Émilion, 1959 Official Classification of Graves and the Cru Bourgeois classification which has been the subject of maximum amendments.

Although a broad knowledge of the classification system is helpful to understand a typical Bordeaux wine label, the following information will be included. Please see the image below for an example:

• The name of estate - (Image example: Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste)
• The estate's classification - (Image example: Grand Cru Classé en 1855). The label may or may not display the actual level of the classification.
• The appellation - (Image example: Pauillac, Appellation Pauillac Contrôlée). In Bordeaux's case the appellation will often indicate towards the type of the wine and the grapes used.
• Bottling Information. Whether or not the wine is bottled at the chateau (Image example: Mis en Bouteille au Chateau).
• The vintage - (Image example: 2000).
• Alcohol content - (Image example: 13% vol).
• Volume - (Image example - 750ml Bottle).

Please see the illustration below for a quality wine label from Bordeaux. You may find it helpful to compare the label information to those listed above.

You may also be interested in the more detailed Bordeaux Classification System.

Please also have a look at the wine label information for the European Union, France, Burgundy, Alsace, Champagne, Germany, Italy, USA, Australia or a general information regarding wine labels.

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