When you pick up a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine, you may notice that some have a vintage year on the label, while others do not. The presence or absence of a vintage date can have a significant impact on the wine inside. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it affect the taste, aging potential, and overall experience of the sparkling wine? Let’s explore some key differences between vintage and non-vintage (NV) sparkling wines, including their advantages and disadvantages.
What is Vintage Sparkling Wine?
A vintage sparkling wine is made from grapes harvested in a single year, and the wine carries that year on its label. In Champagne, vintage bottling only occurs in exceptional years when growing conditions are ideal. Unlike non-vintage Champagne, which is blended from multiple years, vintage Champagne expresses the unique characteristics of that particular harvest. These wines are often aged longer on the lees (dead yeast cells) to develop complexity and depth, typically for at least three years, though many producers may age them for much longer.
Vintage sparkling wines offer a unique expression of a year, reflecting the terroir and the distinct weather conditions of a specific growing season, which gives them their own character. Longer aging on the lees results in richer textures, deeper flavours, and more pronounced autolytic notes, such as brioche and toast. Additionally, many vintage sparkling wines have excellent aging potential, allowing them to develop more nuanced flavours over time.
However, these wines also come with certain drawbacks. They have limited availability, as they are only made in the best years, making them rarer and often more expensive. Because they reflect a single year’s climate conditions, vintage Champagne can vary significantly from one release to another. Lastly, due to their rarity and extended aging process, vintage sparkling wines often have a higher cost, making them a premium choice.
What is Non-Vintage (NV) Sparkling Wine?
Non-vintage sparkling wine is a blend of wines from multiple years. This style allows winemakers to create a consistent house style, ensuring that consumers can expect a familiar taste year after year. Non-vintage Champagne must be aged for a minimum of 15 months, but many top producers extend the aging process to enhance complexity.
One of the biggest advantages of non-vintage sparkling wine is its consistency. Since winemakers blend multiple vintages, NV sparkling wines offer a stable and recognizable style. One of my favourite non-vintage Champagnes is Taittinger Brut Réserve which is made from 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, using grapes harvested from over 35 different vineyards. NV sparkling wines are also generally more affordable than their vintage counterparts, making them more accessible to wine lovers. Additionally, NV sparkling wines are designed for immediate enjoyment, offering fresh and vibrant flavours without the need for extended aging. However, non-vintage wines often lack the deep, layered flavours of vintage offerings, as their shorter aging process results in less complexity. Most NV wines are best consumed within a few years of release, as they do not have the same longevity as vintage versions.
Examples from MyWinePal Tastings
During my tastings, I’ve encountered excellent examples of both vintage and non-vintage sparkling wines. On the vintage side, BC’s Township 7 seven stars Fool’s Gold Vineyard Rigel Sparkling Wine 2022, crafted in the méthode champenoise style is a delightful sparkling wine, offering citrus and stone fruit flavours and a nice texture from the bubbles. A non-vintage sparkling wine I enjoyed was Australia’s Jansz Tasmania Premium Rosé, NV. It is a bright, dry sparkling wine with a creamy, effervescent texture and vibrant flavours of strawberries, stone fruits, red cherries, and subtle floral and oak notes (Yes, you can have sparkling rosé wines).
Whether you prefer the consistency and approachability of non-vintage sparkling wine or the complexity and uniqueness of a vintage bottle, there is a sparkling wine to suit every palate. Both styles have their place in the world of wine, and exploring them side by side can be a rewarding experience. Cheers!
