Vintage
The year in which the grapes were harvested; also used to describe the characteristics of wine from a particular harvest year.
In depth
The word "vintage" comes from the French vendange (harvest). On a wine label, the vintage date tells you when the grapes were picked. This matters because climate conditions vary year to year, directly affecting grape ripeness, acidity, sugar levels, and overall wine quality.
In cool-climate regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Germany, vintage variation is particularly significant. A warm, dry summer produces ripe, concentrated wines; a cool, wet year may result in thinner, more acidic wines or necessitate chaptalisation. In warm, consistent climates (most of Australia, Chile, California), vintage variation is less dramatic.
Non-vintage (NV) wines — most famously Champagne — are blended across multiple years to achieve a consistent house style. This eliminates vintage variation but also removes year-specific character.
For the exam, understand the relationship between climate and vintage quality, and know which regions and styles are most sensitive to vintage variation.
Related exam topics
Frequently asked questions
- What is a non-vintage (NV) wine?
- A non-vintage wine is a blend of wines from multiple harvest years, used to achieve a consistent style regardless of annual variation. The technique is most associated with Champagne but is also used for fortified wines like non-vintage Port.
- Why does vintage matter more in some regions than others?
- In cool-climate regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Germany), year-to-year climate variation significantly affects grape ripeness and wine quality, making vintage year critical. In warm, consistent climates (Napa Valley, Barossa Valley), conditions are more predictable and vintage variation is less pronounced.
Practise questions on this topic
Use Vinlecta to practise exam-style questions that test your knowledge of vintage and related topics.