Getting the most from your off licence: wine labels explained

ABV (alcohol by volume): the percentage of alcohol in a bottle—and it varies hugely. For sobriety's sake, your off licence will have some low-percentage options too.

Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC/AC): the category of top-quality French wines. An off licence is also likely to stock the Italian equivalent: Denominazione di Origine Controllata, the German, Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP) and the Spanish: Denominación de Origen (DO).

Blanc de Blancs: A French wine made entirely from white grapes. Your local off licence will probably also stock Blanc de Noirs, a white wine made from black grapes.

Brut: a French term for "very dry".

Cava: a Spanish sparkling wine made using the Champagne method.

Cuvée: on sale in most off licences, this sparkling wine, along with cava, is a cheaper alternative to champagne and blends together different vineyards, grapes or vintages.

Demi-sec: a French term for "medium dry".

Fairtrade: a trading partnership that supports wine producers in developing countries, giving them fair trading conditions and a stable price. Keep an eye open for off licence wines that carry the Fairtrade mark.

Fortified wine: wine with added alcohol, usually brandy. Port and sherry are two familiar examples you'll find in off licences.

Grand cru: very high-quality French wine—the product of a limited number of vineyards. Indulge a passion for this expensive tipple and your off licence will love you!

Mis en bouteille: the French for "bottled by". What comes next on the label may tell you something about the quality of wine production. Ask off licence staff for more details.

New World: increasingly popular wines from South America, South Africa, Australia, the US and Canada. Off licences now stock a wide selection.

Non vintage (NV): a wine or champagne blended from wines of different years.

Organic wine: wine made from organically grown grapes. Most off licences now have an organic section.

Reserva: Spanish wine that has aged for at least three years. It's normally good quality. Off licences often also stock Gran Reserva, for even higher quality.

Sec: a French term for "dry".

Tafelwein: German table wine. You'll find this at most off licences.

Vin de pays: French wine identified by the region that it comes from. Most off licences have a wide and affordable selection.

Vin de table: the lowest category of French wine.

Vintage: the year the grapes were harvested. Some years are better (and so more expensive) than others. Ask in your off licence for advice.