Why should we give wine labels as gifts? The answer is, because there is something very exciting about wine labels. They contain all sorts of images that bring particular thoughts to our mind – thoughts of vineyards, sunshine, the romance and exhilaration of wine.
Of course, the primary purpose of wine labels is to provide information about the wine. This information can include country of origin, varieties of grape, the company making or providing the wine, the strength of the wine and the contents of the bottle. Different items of information on the label are compulsory, depending on the laws of the country where the wine is marketed.
But when you are giving wine labels as gifts, it’s because they do much more than just provide information. Whether you are giving them to a collector of wine labels or to someone whose hobby is wine making, or simply putting the label on a gift bottle of wine, you want them to express all the fun, happiness, celebration and elegance that the wine represents.
When you look at selections of wine labels, you will find that they fall into several different types, according to what is on the label.
- Personalized labels. Personalized wine labels as gifts can be very special because they can create the impression that the wine was specially made for the recipient.
- Labels depicting the vineyard where the wine was produced. These can often be very evocative and can transport you in imagination to a land of sunshine and plenty! They often show acres of sunlit vineyards stretching into the distance, sometimes with a foreground of trees and flowers, or a cosy-looking homestead.
- Instead of depicting the vineyard, some labels depict the logo of the winery. These can often be very individual and sometimes very funny. One English vineyard called Battle, near the town of Battle in Sussex, has a helmet (from a medieval suit of armor) as its logo on the label! One well-known label has the name “Fat Bastard” Chardonnay. Another is called “Scraping the Barrel”, with an illustration of a barrel with somebody’s legs sticking out.
- Labels illustrated with classical art. Mouton Rothschild had a wonderful series of art labels throughout the twentieth century, a different work of art for each year’s wines. These make fantastic collectors’ series, though Mouton Rothschild have now withdrawn the earlier ones.
- Labels with maps. Many labels show a brightly colored map of the area where the wine is produced. Far from being dull, these are often exceptionally attractive.
These are only some of the types of wine label you can find. Faced with such a variety of wine labels as gifts, how can you choose?
The only way is to think of the tastes, likes and dislikes, and temperament of the intended recipient. Then out of this vast array you should be able to find something that suits their personality. It’s hard to think of a more delightful gift!
For a unique selection of wine labels as gifts, visit http://www.MyVintageWine.com/winelabels.html
Source: www.a1articles.com
