No matter the type, brand, or price tag, wine is a complex and nuanced beverage; every bottle requires an attractive and informative label. In addition to branding, wine labels have to provide specific details and adhere to government regulations. That is a lot of work for one label to do and the reason why it is important to be aware of and implement best practices when it comes to wine bottle labels.

While brands can get creative with their label designs, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) does require that certain information is not only included but listed in a particular order. This system provides consumers with a standardized way of quickly scanning and understanding each product. Here is a more detailed look at what should be found on every wine bottle label.

1. Brand. The brand name along with any corresponding graphics and/or logos will be the first thing to appear on the label. Typically, this information is big, bold, and eye-catching.
2. Type. Of course, this is important information as people are usually looking for certain types that they prefer and will want to be able to readily locate this information on the label.
   
3. Region. When it comes to wine regions, states can be very strict about ensuring proper and accurate labeling. For example, federal labeling laws dictate that at least 75% of the grapes used in production come from the area name on the bottle. However, certain states have even higher standards; In California, there is a state law that requires any bottle claiming it came from California must be made with 100% California grapes. Bottle Labeling Machine
4. Producer and bottler. The name and address of the company and location where the wine was produced and bottled must be on the label.
   
5. Alcohol content. The alcohol by volume number is usually printed at the bottom of the label.
6. Total content. Essentially, this expresses how much wine is in the bottle in millimeters.
   
7. Sulfite warning. If a bottle contains over 10 parts per million of sulfur dioxide, it must include a warning label that states “Contains Sulfites.”
   
8. Government warning. The government requires that two warning labels appear verbatim on the label. Usually, brands will place these warnings on the back of the label.
9. Marketing information. It is coming for brands to include a short history of the brand or vineyard, flavor notes of the product, and/or pairing suggestions. These additional details certainly aren’t mandatory, but they can help attract customers and market the product.

As long as you incorporate a few key items, you can design your own custom wine label that captures the spirit and vision of your brand and each product. When it comes to actually creating and applying these labels to large products, there is plenty of effective and efficient technology that can help to accelerate production and easily switch between different product labels. Today’s label printers and applicators feature touchscreen controls that help you program production and instantly adapt as needed. This allows businesses to remain agile and avoid any costly delays.

While it may seem like accurately applying a label to a rounded container like a wine bottle would be challenging, automatic labeling machines include some cutting-edge engineering and technology that allows them to provide consistent performance. In fact, automatic labeling machines can offer more precision and speed than any human. These machines use a conveyor belt to move fragile bottles through the label applicator apparatus where a wrap-around or front and back label can be applied using pressure sensitive adhesive. 

Automatic labeling machines are incredibly versatile so that you can label any size bottle and also switch between label sizes. For brands that are just starting out, smaller labelers are available that won’t take up much space and can grow with your business if your long-term goals include expansion. With a modular design, you can add functionalities as needed. So whether you are looking to increase production rates or add new products and offerings, your automatic labeling machines can continue to support your business.

When you are running a business, there are a million small tasks to manage. With a labeling system, your production can be fully or semi-automated so that you can spend your time focusing on other aspects of the business. You don’t have to get caught up on the minutiae of label application and avoiding production delays. Automated, programmable, and self-diagnosing machines will keep production on track and help drive revenue with faster and more efficient operations. 

Any time you are working in the food and beverage industry, you will encounter a whole host of regulations that are designed to protect both the customers and the producers, manufacturers and distributors. Creating accurate and compliant labels that reflect your brand and help to capture new customers is a part of working in the wine industry and can be simplified with the right equipment. Whatever your label printing and application needs, there is an affordable machine out there that can streamline your business.