Wine glossary: Label

Label terms

Reserve

A label word suggesting a wine of higher quality or longer ageing. In some countries (like Spain’s ‘Reserva’) it’s legally defined; in others it’s just marketing, so treat it as a soft hint.

Estate

Means the wine was grown and made by the same producer on their own vineyards, rather than from bought-in grapes. Often seen as ‘estate bottled’.

Cuvée

A French word (roughly ‘koo-VAY’) for a specific batch or blend of wine. On a label it often points to a particular selection the producer is proud of.

Blend

A wine made from more than one grape variety combined, so their qualities complement each other. Many famous wines, including most Bordeaux, are blends.

Single-varietal

A wine made from just one grape variety, letting that grape’s character shine on its own. The opposite of a blend.

Château / Domaine

French terms for a wine estate. ‘Château’ is common in Bordeaux and ‘Domaine’ in Burgundy; both simply mean the property where the wine is made.

ABV

Alcohol by volume, the percentage of alcohol in the wine shown on every label. Most table wines sit around 11–15%, so it’s a quick guide to how strong a wine is.

Varietal labelling

Naming a wine after its main grape (like ‘Pinot Grigio’) rather than its region. Common in the New World and a handy shortcut to the style in the bottle.