Yes, You Should Judge a Wine by Its Label

3 minutes read

You’re in a wine shop somewhere in Lagos, maybe it’s that Instagram wine vendor who always says “authentic and chilled” to sell their products. The shelves are full. The prices are friendly. The labels? I’m not so sure if you should go ahead to buy without knowing a few things.

Some show castles. Others, cherubs. Some four brothers. There’s even one with a Labrador in a tuxedo. You’re tempted to grab the prettiest bottle and call it a day.

But don’t. Read the label.

Even if you don’t speak French or Italian, some details cut through: numbers, place names, and symbols that tell you more than the design ever could. Because here’s the truth, the more a wine tells you about where it’s from, the more likely it is to have character and care behind it.

And no, you don’t need to be a sommelier or the friend who uses words like “notes of oak.” You only need to be a curious Nigerian who enjoys good things and is ready to flip the bottle and look for clues.

Start here:

Country and Region Matter.

If a wine says “Product of France” or “Product of South Africa,” that’s fine, but more detail is better. Look for names like “Bordeaux,” “Loire Valley,” or “Stellenbosch.”
Most wines on Nigerian shelves—Four Cousins, Robertson Winery, Drostdy-Hof—come from South Africa’s Western Cape. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s one of the world’s most underrated wine regions, known for easy-drinking reds and crisp whites that pair beautifully with spicy food.

Person, Place, or Thing: The Label’s Secret Code.

A person, like a named winemaker or estate. A place somewhere specific, like a valley or vineyard.
A thing – the grape (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc) or method (oak-aged, naturally fermented in amphora, made with native yeast). These aren’t just facts. They’re fingerprints. So, when you see Four Cousins Natural Sweet Red, that “sweet red” is the grape style. Drostdy-Hof Claret Select? That’s a blend, meaning it combines grape varieties to achieve balance. Robertson Winery Chardonnay? That’s a white made from Chardonnay grapes—smooth, buttery, and very Naija Sunday brunch friendly. DOC / DOCG / AOC / DO? What do these mean? These acronyms may look like license plates, but they’re quality seals across Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. They mean the wine was made according to local rules, not just thrown together. In the US, look for AVA (American Viticultural Area).

Alcohol %: It Tells You How It Drinks.

Under 12.5%? Light, fresh, and easy to sip. Perfect for Netflix and chill.
Over 13.5%? Bigger, richer, and made for food—think pepper soup, asun, or that friend who always says “I don’t drink sweet wine.” Four Cousin Sweet Red sits around 9.5–10%—that’s why it feels gentle and friendly. Drostdy-Hof Claret Select or Robertson Merlot hit closer to 13%, giving that fuller, “I have taste now” energy.

Vintage (The Year) Isn’t Just Decoration.

Is that year printed on the label? If yes, it’s when the grapes were harvested.
Go for whites and rosés (2022 or 2023). Reds can handle a few years—2020 or earlier might be smoother and deeper. If there’s no year listed, it’s probably a blend of different harvests—not bad, but don’t expect too much complexity.

Packaging and Storage—Because Nigeria is Hot.

Wine doesn’t love heat. And we know what tropical weather is like. If the shop feels like a sauna, that bottle has suffered. Choose stores that actually store wine properly (cool area, upright bottles, away from the generator).

At the end of the day, wine is about experience. It’s about taste, mood, and memory. The label is your guide, not your intimidation. You don’t need a French accent to choose well. You just need to read with curiosity.

So yes, sometimes you should judge a wine by its label.

Enjoyed this? Follow us on www.instagram.com/tokesuaveposts