How to Remove & Store Wine Labels

Tired of feeling like your only options when trying to save a wine label are to keep the bottle or end up with a mangled mess of what was once a beautiful label? Read on to learn about the types of labels and the most effective methods of removing and storing them.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water
• Pot or Deep Pan
• Razor Blade
• Blow Dryer

1. Know Your Labels:
   There are really two primary types of labels... the glossy "sticker" type labels and the paper "glued on" type labels. While the former will usually just peel off with a fingernail or razor blade, the latter can be much more difficult. The paper types are also used with a variety of different types of adhesive, so the following methods will work better on some than other.

2. The Boiling Water Method:
   Fill your bottle with hot tap water and place it in a large stock pot. Then, fill the pot up with hot tap water an inch or two above the label you are trying to remove.
   
   Place the pot over medium-high heat for 30-45 minutes. Depending on the type of adhesive used, the label might come completely off and float to the top of the pot. If not, remove the bottle using a hot pad and pour the water out into your kitchen sink. Using a razor blade, carefully scrape the label off from the top corner down to the bottom corner. Once an entire side is separated from the bottle, begin carefully peeling the label off, using the razor blade to scrape along the edges to prevent tearing.

3. The Freezing Method:
   Fill the bottle with water and allow it to soak in either a large pot or the kitchen sink. After about 20-30 minutes, empty the bottle and place it in your freezer. The bottle should be fine to sit over night and, in most cases, the moist label will freeze and literally "pop" right off of the bottle.

4. The Blow Dryer Method:
   This method does not work particularly well on the paper type labels but works wonders on the glossy "sticker" types. With your blow Dryer on high, heat the label evenly for 5 minutes and then use your razor or fingernail to being scraping it off. You may have to stop from time to time to reheat the label so that it doesn't tear.

5. Storing Your Labels:
   Now that you've got the pesky thing off, what are you going to do with it? While the options are pretty much limited only to your creativity, here are a few pointers:
   Use the adhesive to your advantage. The label will probably still be sticky, so place it on a nice piece of resume paper or card stock. After flattening the label out, place it between to heavy books over night to help it retain it's shape. Once your done, you can frame it or add it to a scrap book or photo album.
   
   Another option is for people trying to get rid of the adhesive. Immediately after removing the label, sprinkle the back of it with all-purpose flour until the adhesive is completely covered. Carefully shake any extra flour loose from the label and place it between to heavy books over night to help it retain it's shape as it dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. Removing labels can sometimes take an hour or two total to accomplish. Don't rush and risk tearing the label.
• Anytime your dealing with hot water, razor blades and other such instruments of pain, be careful and use the proper protective equipment.

Resources

• The Wine Fugitive

[wineyco]

on 6/11/2008 Check out the THE NOTE Wine Label Saver by Hinckley Cellars...it is amazing --- REALLY WORKS, and comes with an Italian leather journal. Check out their website. Finally something that works!

[JMOrganizations]

on 2/4/2008 Wish I had done this correctly years ago, I would have had a great collection by now lol. Thanks!

[grouch]

on 12/20/2007 Keeping the labels would make a great card catalog of what you have liked and what to never buy again. Thanks for the great tips.