HOW TO READ A WINE LABEL — A PLAIN ENGLISH GUIDE

Wine labels can feel like they are designed to intimidate. The jargon, the fine print, the unfamiliar place names. But every label tells you exactly what you need to know — once you understand the language.

PRODUCER AND WINE NAME

The most prominent text is usually the producer name or the wine name — often both. For Loco Wines, you will always see LOCOWINES prominently displayed. The individual wine name — Session Fizz, Left on Red, Thirst Trap — tells you what is inside.

THE GRAPE VARIETY OR BLEND

Many labels state the grape variety — Riesling, Cinsault, Grüner Veltliner. This tells you what the wine is made from and gives you a clue about the style. If the label shows a region rather than a grape (like Kremstal or Pays d'Oc), you may need to look up what grapes are grown there.

THE REGION

The region tells you where the grapes were grown. This matters because climate and soil have a huge impact on how wine tastes — a Riesling from Austria tastes quite different from one grown in Australia.

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME (ABV)

Always shown as a percentage — 12%, 12.5%, 14% etc. Higher ABV generally means riper grapes and a fuller-bodied wine. Lower ABV often indicates cooler climates and lighter, fresher styles.

ORGANIC AND VEGAN CERTIFICATIONS

Look for certification logos — the EU organic leaf, Soil Association logo, Vegetarian Society approved badge. These confirm that independent bodies have verified the claims on the label.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE AT LOCO WINES

Loco Wines labels are designed to tell you exactly what you need to know without making you work for it. The flavour notes are right there on the label. No jargon, no Latin, no pretension. Shop the range at locowines.co.uk.