Jun 4 • General discussion
The Wine Label “Red Flags”🍷
You Shouldn’t Ignore (Even If the Bottle Looks Fancy) 🚩🍇
We’ve all been there standing in front of shelves of wine, choosing based on a label that looks premium.
But did you know some labels hide clues that the wine inside might not live up to the hype?
Let’s decode a few subtle wine label red flags to help you sip smarter.
🚩 “Bottled By” Instead of “Produced By”
If it says “bottled by” or “cellared by”, that usually means the company purchased bulk wine and didn’t actually make it themselves.
✅ Look for: “Produced and bottled by” for more transparency and control from vineyard to bottle.
🚩 Overuse of Buzzwords
Phrases like “Reserve,” “Old Vines,” or “Private Selection” aren’t always regulated.
They might sound premium—but unless tied to a specific region or winery standard, they could be marketing fluff.
✅ Research the winery to see if those terms are meaningful in context.
🚩 No Vintage or Region
If the label doesn’t list a vintage year or a specific region, the wine likely came from multiple places and harvests.
✅ While not always bad, it’s harder to expect consistency or a distinct style.
🚩 “Contains Sulfites” Confusion
This isn’t a red flag—it’s required by law in many countries.
Almost all wines have some sulfites.
Don’t let this label line scare you off.
🧠 The Bottom Line
The more detailed the label (vintage, varietal, region, producer), the more likely it’s thoughtfully crafted.
And if it sounds too vague?
It might be too safe.
Your Turn!
Have you ever been tricked by a fancy label?
Or do you have a go-to label cue that never lets you down?
Share your best label-reading hacks below! 🍷🔍⬇️
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The Wine Label “Red Flags”🍷
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