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Decoding A Label The Importance Of Place From Region To Vineyard Producers Place Names And New World Wine Why Appellations Are Controversial Label Information Alcohol Content

In most countries of the world it is compulsory to state on the label the alcoholic strength of a wine. This may be expressed as a percentage of the total volume of liquid — say, 12% alcohol by volume (abv) — or as degrees of alcohol (12°), as used in this Encyclopedia.

Under EC law, wine is denned as being between 8.5 and 15% alcohol by volume. Certain quality wines (as distinct from table wines) may fall outside this range; Italy's Moscato d'Asti, for example, has around 6% alcohol by volume, while fortified wines such as sherry and port may contain up to 21%.