Custom wine labels may not be at the top of your list of birthday or holiday gift ideas. In response, we have to ask – why the heck not?
Contact Z&M to discuss custom wine labels for you, your celebration, or for the wine enthusiast in your life.
WHY CUSTOM WINE LABELS?
If you’re unfamiliar with this perfectly personalized keepsake, let’s do a little dive into the world of wine labelling.
Here are some interesting facts about these ubiquitous, informative little tags!
They’re Mandatory
Did you know that the US not only requires that wine bottles have labels, but that certain information is mandatory?
American wine labels must display the brand name, along with the bottler’s name and address. They must also tell the reader which type of wine it is (dessert, sparkling, etc.). Wine bottle information should also display the alcohol percentage by volume and net contents in milliliters.
Elsewhere, Wine Manufacturers Have Some Flexibility
Now, not all information you typically see in bottle labels is mandatory. Some of it adheres more to convention or tradition.
Some things that you typically see on wine bottle labels can include vintage year when the grapes were harvested. They might also say “estate-bottled,” meaning the winery or vineyard bottles their own wine. Finally, if you see the word “reserve,” that means the winery subjected the grapes to additional aging before its release.
Which Label is the Front Label?
Have you ever wondered which label on your wine bottle counts as the front label? It may sound like a silly question, but after all, bottles are cylindrical. Technically, they don’t have a front a back!
Since wine bottles typically have two labels, you might assume it’s the one that has the eye-catching design. The one with all of the boring, often mandatory information is typically the one you may consider the “back” label.
Interestingly, legal considerations enter into this question. Technically, the label that the regulatory bodies care about is the one with all of the relevant information.
There is the flashy, interesting label that serves a marketing purpose. On the opposite side, there is the label with everything the law says the winery needs to provide consumers. That label, for official purposes, is the front label.
Wine Label Design Is Art and Science
No discussion of custom labelling and bottling would be complete without a discussion about design. Many wine label designers are more than graphic artists. Often, they are quite knowledgeable about wine.
As a matter of fact, there are classes designers can take to learn more about history, varietals, regions, and more. A well-designed wine label can convey a lot of the mandatory information on the “true” front label.
MILITARY LABELS
In the military, it’s not unusual for units to request custom labels for their unit balls and dining out events. Custom wine labels can be a fun memento of the occasion for service members and their spouses or dates.
Many American ball traditions have their roots in the British military.
These formal military events are intended to be a celebration of unit history and esprit de corps. They have a long history going back centuries. During a military ball, the unit pays tribute to its fallen and missing. They also recognize the achievements of individual members, as well as the unit as a whole.
Other, more fun traditions include events like the grog ceremony, in which unit members make a highly-alcoholic punch. Ball planners will designate certain individuals to add an ingredient to the punch. They will give a short speech explaining the symbolism behind the ingredient, and why it’s meaningful to the unit.
The grog ceremony can get pretty rowdy. Often, the service members will try to outdo each other’s showmanship as they add ingredients.
Frequently, units will give out favors to attendees as a keepsake from the ball. Given the nature of these events, the appeal of custom wine labels makes sense. The artwork presents a one-of-a-kind expression of how a unit sees itself and wants to present itself.
A unique label that someone has designed specifically for your organization or event is a fun conversation-starter.
Z&M OFFERS MORE THAN GREAT WINE (AND WINE SLUSHIES…)
Z&M Twisted Vines is more than just another winery in Kansas. Z&M Twisted Vines Vineyard and our winery (Leavenworth, KS) offers plenty of fun events. Of course, there’s also the innovative Twisted Wines.
However, if you’re looking to go beyond good Kansas wines, Z&M can help you out. We do custom wine labels for you, your events, or as a gift.
Each of our Twisted Wines feature labels that we design in-house. It’s all part of who we are: we love to make things ourselves, and we love our customers. We don’t leave anything out in the vineyard; we put 100% of ourselves and our energies into what we do.
Furthermore, we believe in celebration, in community, and the idea that everyone should have an opportunity to express themselves. That’s why we offer our customers custom wine labels. They make an ideal gift, and they’re also a way to put a personalized stamp on your festivities.
ORDER A CUSTOM LABEL FOR THE PERFECT JUST-BECAUSE, BIRTHDAY, OR HOLIDAY GIFT
Some things are worth celebrating, whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday, a holiday, or just a regular day. A personalized gift like a wine label is ideal for practically any occasion.
Do you know someone (or a group of someones) who would love the surprise of a personalized wine bottle? Don’t wait to order yours! The perfect label takes time.
Stop agonizing over what to get the wine lover on your gift list. Contact Z&M and let’s start the process of designing a custom wine label.