Articles: General Index

New Label Proposed for the 'Supertuscans'

A new label for the 'supertuscan' wines has been proposed during the course of the presentation of a book by Andrea Zanfi entitled 'I Supertuscans' ('The Supertuscans') - over four hundred pages that praise wines such as Tignanello and Sassicaia, made strictly in accordance with the DOC and DOCG protocols.

Blasphemy in a Bottle?

Recognizing Wine's Taste of Place – Fifth of Five Parts

I wholeheartedly embrace protecting wine's origin names. The NVV- initiated declaration of last week that place is important to wine – and to consumers – is just a baby step, but it's a start. I want my Champagne to be from Champagne and my Burgundy to be from Montrachet, not Modesto. I'll also happily drink a chilled glass of a generic white blend from a jug, as long as it doesn't try to convince me it's from Chablis.

Recognizing Wine's Taste of Place – Fourth of Five Parts

Yet Gary Heck, owner and president of Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, clings fiercely to the use of California Champagne on the labels of Korbel sparkling wines, which were first produced in 1882.

"It is unfortunate that they took such a position when we have been legally producing California champagne in this country for over 123 years."

Recognizing Wine's Taste of Place – Third of Five Parts

The state of Oregon has some of the toughest labeling standards in the U. S. wine industry; 'Oregon Champagne' or 'Oregon Burgundy' won't appear on a label. Harry Peterson-Nedry, founder of Chehalem winery, represented the Oregon Wine Board at the declaration signing.

Recognizing Wine's Taste of Place – Second of Five Parts

Continues the article about the international vintners meeting in favor of the fair use of denomination of origin on wine labels.

Gallo is not the only culprit – store shelves are lined with wines like Almaden California Chablis, Inglenook California Chianti (both brands are from Canandaigua Wine) and Port-style fortified wines from throughout California, Australia and elsewhere.

Recognizing Wine's Taste of Place – First of Five Parts

One of wine's finest attributes is that it can taste of the place where the grapes were grown.

This taste is found in the minerality of a lean, lemony Chablis made from Chardonnay grapes grown in limestone soils in northern Burgundy. It's in the smoky, meaty notes of a Syrah from the Cote Rotie ("roasted slopes") in France's Rhone Valley. It's in the pungently herbal character of a Sauvignon Blanc made in New Zealand's cool, marine-influenced Marlborough region.

National Gold Label Award to the Primitivo di Manduria DOC 'Patriarca'

The Primitivo di Manduria DOC 'Patriarca', from Cantine Soloperto won the 14^th Annual National Gold Label Award, organized by the municipality of Cupra Montana, in the Italian province of Ancona.

The label of the delicious red wine made by the Manduria winery, winner for the red and rosé wine section, set itself apart from the many other competitors from all over Italy.

Talking Wine Label to be Released in November

Who needs a sommelier? A 'talking wine label could soon tell consumers in Italy everything they want to know about a particular bottle -- from its production history to the kind of food it should accompany

'Trasformazione' ('Transformation'): A Lucia Finelli Painting Will Grace the New Primitivo Soloperto Labels

'Trasformazione' is the title of the painting that won the competition 'Vini in cerca d'autore' ('Wines in Search of Authors'), organized by Cantine Soloperto from Manduria during the latest 'Cantine Aperte' ('Open Wineries') event.

Azienda Ciavolich Launches a Braille Wine Label

Acting on a suggestion by architect Cristiano Di Sabatino, who worked at a botanical garden for visually impaired people, the Azienda Ciavolich from Miglianico, in the province of Chieti, started a courageous and valuable project.

Third Competition 'The Best Label Collage'

A.I.C.E.V. the Italian Association of Lable Collectors, launches the third competition of 'The Best Label Collage', to promote the new members' association. All current members are invited to participate, but the competition is open to anybody who either collects labels or is interested in labels as a cultural tool or visual history of wine.

Sulfites Advisory On European Wine Labels As Well

A new European, effective since November 25, 2004 made mandatory printing a sulfites advisory on the label of wines sold in Europe. A similar law has been in effect for long time in the United States, where about 0.5 percent of the population appears to be somewhat allergic to sulfites.