Removing and Mounting Wine Labels

Tips on Removing Wine Bottle Labels

Some of the new wines use labels with the "self stick" or very sticky types of adhesive, and in those cases it is sometimes best to melt the glue in order to remove the label. The other type of label glue is water soluble and can be removed with water methods.

Hot Water Method — There are many methods for removing labels and this one is one of the classic methods for labels that have water soluble glue. Fill the bottle with hot water, and then soak it in a sink filled with warm water. (Some people add one or two drops of Ivory Detergent). After about 30 minutes to an hour, the label should be almost floating off the bottle or loosely clinging to it. If it is still glued to the bottle, just soak it for additional time — one or two more hours, or overnight if necessary. Once the label is off the bottle and completely wet, is is very fragile and can tear, so handle with care.

You can help the process along by using a single-edge razor blade. Dry the bottle and label, lay it on a towel to steady the bottle, then carefully scrape the label off the glass, (following the curve of the bottle from side to side) where it has stuck in certain places.

Once the label has been removed, place it while wet, on a paper towel. Place another paper towel on top of the label and blot to remove the water. Allow to dry and weight it down with a heavy book.

Ice Water Method — Place your wine bottles into a cooler filled with ice and allow the label to "sweat off."

Steam Method — This method works best on labels with the "self stick" or very sticky types of adhesive. Use a clothing steamer and wand over the label until the glue melts and the label peels off. Or on the stove, place a metal vegetable steamer basket in a tall cooking pot. Add water to the bottom of the basket. Place the wine bottle in the steamer and boil until the steam melts the label.

Baking Method — This method works best on labels with glue that is not water soluble. Place the wine bottle in the oven at 100-150 deg for 10-15 minutes until the labile glue melts or softens. Once the glue has softened, the label can be peeled off without any tearing. The label may have some gummy glue residue and you can try alcohol to remove it or use the stickiness to your advantage by adhering the label to a sheet of paper and trim around the label edge. Now you have a backing on your label.

Mounting and Displaying Ideas

Labels in a Scrapbook or Journal — Labels can be mounted in a scrapbook or in a journal. The label can be attached using photo corners, reposition tape, spray adhesive or glue. Add notes, photos and maybe a memento to complete the page and remember your event.

On a Wall — Great for a wine cellar or room. Use wall paper paste and decorate the wall. Or place a group or a single label in a picture frame and display on your wall.

On your computer — Scan your labels and crop in Photoshop or your photo retouching program, add them to your iPhoto and make a slide show or create a web page of labels and your notes.

Create a Photo Book of your labels — Scan your labels, save as JPGs, crop and touch up in Photoshop or a paint program. Upload the label images to a Photobook website and create a beautiful coffee table book.