Fortified wines contain added brandy and may be Red or White, with alcoholic content from about 16 to 23 percent. Wines may be named for place of origin or grape variety used, or may bear generic names. Most wines take place-names. Wine labels may show the vintage, meaning the year in which the grapes used were harvested. The vintage is an important indicator of the wine's value because seasonal variations in weather affect harvest quality from year to year.
Wines blended from several vintages bear undated labels.
The leading wine-producing countries include France, Italy, and Spain. Greece is also an important exporter of wine, especially the last years. Today, a very serious work takes place in the Greek wine production. Young and mature quality wines are available from local producers and large wine companies have set high standards and controls for the picking and processing of the grapes. The dream of the Greeks who have make quality wine creation their life style comes true today.