How do you determine the year on a wine bottle?

You can determine the year on a wine bottle by looking for the vintage information, which is usually displayed in one of the following ways:

1. On the Label:

* Year: The most common way is to find the year directly printed on the label, often alongside the name of the wine or producer.

* "Mise en Bouteille" (Bottled): For wines from France, you might see "Mise en Bouteille" followed by a year. This indicates the year the wine was bottled.

* "Récolte" (Harvest): Another French term, "Récolte" followed by a year, denotes the year the grapes were harvested.

2. On the Bottle:

* Embossed or Etched: The year may be embossed or etched onto the bottle itself, especially for older wines.

* Capsule: The capsule (the metal covering on the top of the bottle) may have the year printed on it.

3. Online or Through a Wine App:

* Search for the Wine: If you can't find the vintage information on the bottle, you can search for the wine online or use a wine app.

* Enter Details: Enter the wine's producer, name, and region to find the vintage information.

Important Considerations:

* Non-Vintage Wines: Not all wines have a vintage. Some wines, such as Port and Sherry, are blends from different years and don't have a specific vintage date.

* "NV" stands for "non-vintage."

* "Late Bottled Vintage" (LBV): For Port, this indicates the wine was bottled later than the traditional vintage date.

* "Vintage Port" (VP): This denotes a single-year Port wine.

Pro Tip: If you're unsure about a wine's vintage, it's always best to consult a wine professional or wine retailer for assistance.