What is Bin Number and Bin End(s)?

It's a marketing phrase. Penfolds most notably assign all their wines a bin number and market some of them with it prominently (Bin 28, 128,

389, 707, ...), and some not (Grange is Bin 95 IIRC). It might have had (or still have) some meaning inside the winery, but to the consumer's its just a name.

Bin ends are odd bottles and stock that are left over, that aren't available in huge quantities and are usually discounted.

The best person to ask would be the wine merchant selling the specific bottle your interested. Failing that you can make a guess based on what you know of the wine's style, wine maker's approach and reputation, the current age, price and probably a few other things I've forget. There are people here better qualified than me who can no doubt answer in more detail.

Ian

] I read ocasionally "BIN xx" on a label. ] Is this of any importance and what is it? ]

This has some obscure aussie meaning relating to lot number at crush, IIRC. I believe it's really just marketing now. Someone else may comment here, or google the group to find the full discussion.

] What are "BIN ENDS"? My mail order supplier ] offers these, and I need to understand, I think. ]

Bin ends are what's left from a larger order, that can't be sold in cases or supply large quantities any more. Basically price is being knocked off to move the inventory out. So if a retailer orders 10 cases, sells 9.5, the last 6 bottles are the bin end.

] How do you know if a wine is suitable for keeping? ] I suppose that a well known supplier is the key?

Supplier helps of course. Experience helps more! :) And even then the most expert sometimes mucks up. Reds with lots of tannins and acid, and sufficient fruit over big structure often have what it takes. Some varieties (e.g. Cabernet Sauv.) age better than others (e.g. Gamay). Acid is a key here, that's why some "new world" (read hotter climate) wines will age less gracefully (read won't necessarily improve, no comment intended on overall quality of style here) than some "old world" wines.

] What on the label gives the clue, if anything? ]

Not really anything, except the basic info of appellation and vintage. Some vintages age better than others. Sometimes a producer will put a guideline (e.g. will get better during 5 years, or will hold for 3 years) on the back label, I've never really seen anything useful there.

HTH

-E