Wine laws in some countries insist on detail. Most places demand that the name of the bolder be printed; this can be illuminating if the wine is not bottled in the region it comes from, showing that the wine was bottled not by a local estate but by a negociant. In Germany, each quality wine label carries a number which shows when and where the batch of wine was officially tested.
As well as the legal information, many wines carry further details and advice. This is often in the form of a back label. The text may tell how the wine was made, with useful detail such as whether the wine was oak-aged, which will influence taste and longevity. There may be hints on serving the wine, how long it can be kept, and whether it is dry or sweet.
Sometimes, too, there is a more personal note from the producer, This can be pure hype, but occasionally provides fascinating insights into what goes into the making of a wine. These back labels are most common in New World countries and in Europe on supermarket wines.
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