What does the phrase “table wine” on a bottle mean?
The term “table wine” does not imply quality or the lack thereof. Chateau Lafite Rothschild is a table wine that will set you back $200-$300 or more. Almaden Chablis is a table wine that costs around $4. (Of course, to some extent, you get what you pay for.) The term refers to the way the government taxes wines. There are only three categories: table wine, dessert wine, and sparkling wine. Within the table wine category, those wines with an alcohol listing of 14% and higher are taxed at a higher rate than other table wines.
