The reason wineries from the Old World name their wines after regions is because they believe the place where the wine was made impacts the taste as much as the grapes. This sense of place is called terroir. When a wine is truly made well, you can taste that wine’s terroir alongside the grape’s characteristics.
Winery Basics
A winery is a licensed property that produces wine. It typically encompasses the property, winemaking equipment, warehouses, bottling facilities, etc., that are involved in the winemaking process. A winery does not have to be located on a vineyard or produce wine from grapes they grow themselves.
Wine Naming Conventions
Even if the wine is a blend of grapes (which is common with red wines), the wine is named after the grape which is most prominent.
Old World Wine Labeling
When looking at the wines of countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, wineries in these places name their wines after the region, sub-region, or appellation where the grapes were grown.
Wines Named By Other Means
- Wines named by grape variety: American wines are usually named by the grape variety.
- Wines named by place: Most French wines are named after the wine region where the grapes are grown.
- Wines named by winery/person/random: Some wines are named by the winery that made the wine, the winemaker, or have a random name.
The basic options for naming a wine are either the place the wine originates from or the type of grapes used. Wine is a major part of Italian culture, with some wines tracing back to the Roman period.
Understanding Labels and Classifications
Knowing wine names and varietals is important for wine knowledge. Some French wines are named by classification like vin de pays (country wine) and vin de France (table wine). Vin de pays is above vin de France in quality.
Global Naming Practices
There are two ways to name wines: after the specific grape used, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, or after the region the grapes are grown, like Bordeaux or Chianti. European or "Old World" wines typically use regional names, while American or "New World" wines use grape names.
Names That Tell a Story
Wine names can romanticize the occasion drunk. Names like "Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner" and "Long Story Short" reference social situations or moods. While conversational names like "Outer Sounds" and "Listening Station" evoke a sense of place or atmosphere.
To name a winery, remember that it is a licensed property that produces wine. The name can be inspired by the grape variety, regional specificity, historical connection, or it can be creative, capturing the essence or mood the wine is meant to convey. Simple grape or regional names are most common, but creative, mood-setting names also play a significant role in marketing.