Wine

:This article is about the beverage. See Wine (software) for an article about the software of the same name.

Wine names

Wines are usually named, either by their grape variety or by their place of production. Historically, wines from Australia and the United States were named exclusively by their grape variety, while wines from France, Spain and Italy were identified by their place of production. This practice is changing, particularly in the United States and New Zealand where more quality wine-grape growing regions, such as Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Willamette Valley, Sonoma, Walla Walla, etc., are appearing on labels, and are seen as clear differentiators of quality by many consumers.

Related Topics:
Napa Valley - Russian River Valley - Willamette Valley - Sonoma - Walla Walla

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Regional wine names

The taste of a wine depends not only on the grape species and varietal blend, but also on the ground and climate (known as terroir) where it is cultivated. Historically, wines have been known by names reflecting their origin, and sometimes style: Bordeaux, Rioja, Mosel and Chianti are all legally defined names, reflecting the traditional wines produced in the named region. These naming conventions or "appellations" (as they are known in France) dictate not only where the grapes in a wine were grown, but also which grapes went into the wine and how they were vinified. The appellation system is strongest in the European Union, but a related system, the American Viticultural Area, restricts the use of certain regional labels in America, such as Napa Valley, Santa Barbara and Willamette Valley. The AVA designations do not restrict the type of grape used. New World wines are known primarily by their varietal content, and not by their region.

Related Topics:
Bordeaux - Rioja - Mosel - Chianti - Appellations - American Viticultural Area - Napa Valley - Santa Barbara - Willamette Valley

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The inconsistent application of historical European designations can be confusing. For example, in most of the world, wine labeled Champagne must be made from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France and fermented using certain method, based on the international trademark agreements included in the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. However, in the United States (except Oregon), these and the following European appellations are allowed to be used as generic wine names:

Related Topics:
European - Champagne - 1919 - Treaty of Versailles - Oregon

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• Asti
• Bordeaux
• Burgundy
• Chablis
• Champagne
• Chianti

All of these are names of specific regions in Europe. While most countries restrict the use of these place names, there exists a legal definition called semi-generic in the United States that enables U.S. winemakers to apply these terms to their wines even though the product does not come from these specific places. Some suggest that this naming practice causes confusion, and thus, it is being protested by Europeans. Generally only less expensive, mass-produced wines (or vin ordinaire) make use of these place names as semi-generic wine names. Makers of American fine wines avoid these terms out of respect for their European counterparts. Thus, the finest sparkling wines from California will be labeled "sparkling wine", while some less expensive sparkling wines from California as well as states, such as Ohio and New York, may bear the name "Champagne".

Related Topics:
Semi-generic - Europe - California - Ohio - New York

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Some blended wine names are marketing terms, and the use of these names is governed by trademark or copyright law, rather than a specific wine law or a patent on the actual varietal blend or process used to achieve it:

Related Topics:
Trademark - Copyright law

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• Meritage is generally a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and may also include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
• Pinotage is a wine created by Professor Perold by cross-pollinating the two grape varieties of Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It is produced in South Africa and to a much lesser degree New Zealand.