Variety
This refers to the particular grape that makes up the wine. Though you would not necessarily know it from the label, this wine is made up from 100% Chardonnay grapes. "Chablis" actually refers to the region (appellation) where the grapes were harvested. In "Old World" (European) wines, the appellation is the most important factor in the choice of wine as opposed to the varietal.
Estate Bottling
"Mis en Bouteille" means the wine has been bottled at the estate where the grapes were grown and made into wine. Its American equivalent is "Grown, Produced, and Bottled by." American wines can also be "Produced and Bottled by," signifying that the grapes were purchased from elsewhere, but the wine is made by the winery. However, wine labeled as "Made and Bottled by" a winery generally means that the wine was probably bought in bulk and merely bottled at the winery.
Producer
This is usually the winery, but it can range from small growers who make and bottle their own wine to large corporations who buy in bulk and merely bottle the wine. This can also be a brand name that does not refer directly to any real entity and is used for marketing purposes. The producer is usually the largest text on the label and the easiest element to identify. Albert Pic & Fils is the producer for this wine.
Winery Info
This provides a very brief description of the winery or producer such as historical background, physical location, and date of establishment. Appellation or Region This refers to the geographical location where the grapes were grown. In the United States, these are legally defined AVAs, American Viticultural Areas. Some are as broad as "California," while some are as narrowly defined as a section of a river valley. In the US, vineyards can be named, but law does not regulate the use of these names as in many European Countries. In France, the legally defined area is called an Appellation d'Origine Controlee. The appellation can be as broad as a country or, unlike the US, can be as specific as a particular vineyard. Chablis is the appellation for this wine.
Alcohol Content
The alcohol content of a wine can range from a low of about 7% in a light German Riesling to about 17% in a monster late harvest Zinfandel. Fortified wines can go up to 21%. Most wines, however, have between 11% and 14%.
Importer
Often the importer's name is on the label or on a strip just below the label. In most situations this isn't terribly significant. Some enthusiasts have learned, though, that the taste of certain importers corresponds closely to their tastes. In this case, knowing something about the importer can help you determine whether you would like an otherwise unknown wine. Kobrand is the importer of this wine. |
