-Collectors Corner-

This page is intended to be a resource and area of interaction for wine label collectors. Anyone is invited to submit an article or information that would be of use or interest to other collectors. Over time this page will grow with information such as:

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Email memike@mkellstrand.com

Articles



Label Removal

Unused labels, acquired from the winery, are preferred by any collector. Unfortunately, many people are not able to visit any local wineries, let alone those in distant countries. Also, many collections are built or supplemented by tasting what's in the bottle itself.

How does one remove the label from the bottle? The usual method is to soak the bottle in a pan of warm water until the label either floats off or becomes loose enough to carefully remove.

The label must then be carefully dried. I use a hairdryer (on low) held 2 feet away to start the process. As the label dries, it will tend to wrinkle up. I fold the label within a paper towel and place a small book on top to hold it flat.

I have never experimented with anything other than warm water, but here are some stronger solutions I have heard of:

  • Warm/hot water with ammonia
  • Water with a pinch of sodium bicarbonate

Good Luck!


Be sure to check out Label Removal - A subpage of Eric Anderson's excellent site, Grape-Nutz.


The Label LibraryTM from Designers Choice

The Label Library is a wine label removal, storage and presentation system. It includes an attractive 2-ring binder and a package of clever label removal/display pages. Each page contains a wine removal sheet on one side and a form for purchase information and tasting notes on the reverse. The removal sheet is a heavy piece of clear adhesive plastic film. You peel it off and carefully rub it on to the wine label. After a few minutes, carefully peel the film off the bottle and the top layer of the label will come with it. The sheet is then reapplied to the library page.

I have tried similar adhesive sheets in the past and had poor results. I don't expect any label remover of this type to do a flawless job every time, but I think it has to get at least 95% to be worth the trouble. I have used a similar product that left most or all of the label behind. I was pleasantly surprised and completely satisfied with this product from Designers Choice. It did a very satisfactory job on every label I tried. The supplied directions are quite simple and clear. If you follow them and take your time you will be very pleased with the result. The informational form on the back of each library page is a nice touch. It allows you to record the details of the wine, where purchased, the occasion, and tasting notes. The binders are very attractive and as a whole it is a very nice package. It is not a cost effective way to store a large collection. Its purpose is to capture and store special moments in your life through the wine labels. I like the product and I give it my recommendation. Below are a pair of labels I removed using this product.


This first label is HIGHLY textured. I didn't think the removal sheet stood a chance of pulling this off the bottle. Although you can see 2 holes, I think it did an outstanding job. A little more rubbing may have been neccesary on this one. Click on the label for a larger view.


This second label is flat and smooth. Some removal films have trouble grabbing onto a smooth glossy surface but you can see it came off perfectly. Click on the label for a larger view.

The Label Library is available from The Designers Choice.




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