Streuth Cor Blimey wrote:
> I read ocasionally "BIN xx" on a label.
> Is this of any importance and what is it?

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.

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

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

>
> How do you know if a wine is suitable for keeping?
> I suppose that a well known supplier is the key?
> What on the label gives the clue, if anything?

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