Vintage Champagne

Vintage Champagne

Currency

AUD (A$)

EUR (€)

GBP (£)

SGD (S$)

USD ($)

Country of delivery

Australia

Austria

Barbados

Belgium

Bermuda

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Channel Islands

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Falkland Islands

French Polynesia

Germany

Gibraltar

Greenland

Hong Kong S. A. R

Iceland

Israel

Japan

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Macau S.A.R.

Malta

Martinique

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

Norfolk Island

Norway

Portugal

Reunion

Seychelles

Singapore

Slovenia

South Africa

South Korea

Switzerland

Taiwan

United Kingdom

United States

Vatican City

All

Current (86)

Discontinued (4)

We use cookies to improve user experience, personalize content, and analyze website traffic. For these reasons, we may share your site usage data with our analytics partners. By clicking “Accept,“ you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy . You can change your cookie settings at any time by clicking “ Preferences .”

Free UK Mainland standard delivery on orders over £100

Rated 4.9/5 based on 43,000+ reviews on

Free UK Mainland standard delivery on orders over £100

Rated 4.9/5 based on 43,000+ reviews on

Free UK Mainland standard delivery on orders over £100

Vintage Champagne is the perfect choice if your preference is for a richer style of fizz, or if you want to celebrate a particular year.
Discover more »

If you’re looking to celebrate a particular year, or if you have a penchant for richer-style fizz, then vintage Champagne is the answer.
Vintage Champagne is made from the grapes of just one year, or vintage. And as it is only made in superior vintages – often only three to four times every 10 years – you can be confident about quality.
Vintage Champagne is made in exactly the same way as Non-Vintage Champagne, except that it is the product of just one year's harvest, so there will be no blending from other years, as is the case with NV fizz. as the Champagne houses don’t release them until they’ve aged from the legal minimum of three years up to a decade or more, you can expect a richer, more complex style. A further plus is that they are typically less than twice the price of their non-vintage equivalent, thus they usually represent excellent value.
There is a host of famous Vintage Champagne brands, such as Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Ruinart and Bollinger, all of whom have receved critical praise for the quality of their vintage fizz. But perhaps the two most iconic Vintage Champagne brands are Dom Pérignon and Cristal – both are only ever released as single vintages, and are extremely complex and ageworthy.
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2014 Gift Box
Dom Perignon 2012 Vintage Champagne Gift Box
Gosset Grand Millesime Brut 2015 Champagne Gift Box
Perrier-Jouët 2013 Belle Epoque Gift Box
Rose Campania Remensis Extra Brut Bereche & Fils 2017
Clandestin Les Semblables Boreal 2017 Champagne Brut Nature
Billecart-Salmon 2009 Vintage Champagne
Pommery Cuvee Louise 2004 Champagne
Laherte Freres Les Empreintes Extra Brut 2015 Champagne
Phillipponnat Blanc de Noirs 2014 Vintage Gift Box
Roger Coulon Les Hauts Partas Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2014 Champagne
Andre Jacquart Le Mesnil Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2011
Agrapart & Fils Venus Grand Cru 2015 Brut Nature Champagne
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012 Champagne Gift Box
Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Louis 2007 Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Bereche & Fils Les Beaux Regards 1er Cru Extra Brut 2017
Clandestin Les Grandes Lignes 2017 Champagne Brut Nature
Philipponnat Blanc de Noirs 2014 Vintage
Philipponnat Clos des Goisses 2011 Champagne
Moët & Chandon 2013 Vintage Champagne

Get new and exclusive releases, special offers and inspiring ideas direct to your inbox

Copyright © The Whisky Exchange 1999-2022. All Rights Reserved.

The Whisky Exchange is the registered trademark of Speciality Drinks Limited.

Registered in England and Wales (Company No. 4449145). Registered Office: Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7SF, UK.

Champagne is like pizza—there’s really no such thing as a bad slice bottle. But what does it mean when it’s labeled “vintage” and comes with a hefty price tag? Here’s what you need to know to get the most pop for your buck.
What’s the difference between vintage and non-vintage Champagne? Vintage doesn’t actually mean that the Champagne is old, just that it’s made from grapes from one single year. Non-vintage Champagne, on the other hand, is a blend from harvests from different years. So if you see a year stamped on your bottle of bubbles, then it’s a vintage. No date? Non-vintage.
And why is vintage Champagne so much more expensive? Because there’s less of it. Vintages are made only three or four times a decade and make up less than 5 percent of total Champagne production. And like fine wine and whisky, age is also a factor. While non-vintages need at least 15 months to mature, a vintage requires a minimum of three years.
Is it worth the money? Well, that depends. Vintages are usually more complex, meaning they require a slightly more refined palate to truly appreciate them. They’re also totally unique—so there’s no telling what you’re going to get before you take that first sip (unlike, say, your favorite non-vintage which is produced to consistently taste the same.)
Bottom line: Want to impress your oenophile in-laws? Go for the vintage. Picking out a bottle for your upcoming nuptials? Non-vintage all the way. Whipping up a pitcher of mimosas for Sunday brunch? Skip the Champs altogether and go for prosecco.

Ratings

Ratings Search

Daily Pick

Tasting Reports

Winery Intel

Insider Weekly

Advance

Values

Vintage Charts

About Our Tastings

M. Shanken Sister Publications Follow Us
NY Wine Experience Grand Tasting Tickets Now on Sale!
2 evenings of 200+ wines rated 90+ points, Oct. 20 and 21
A hot, fast growing season, with some crop reduction, yielded clean, ripe fruit. Potentially superb, with rich, intense wines
A hot, fast growing season, with some crop reduction, yielded clean, ripe fruit. Potentially superb, with rich, intense wines
Cool, rainy conditions through summer led to fair September weather, producing a large crop of fresh, approachable wines
Cool, rainy conditions through summer led to fair September weather, producing a large crop of fresh, approachable wines
A cool spring led to a delayed growing season and a late September harvest, yielding many vibrant and balanced examples that are approachable but with good aging potential; Chardonnay excelled
A cool spring led to a delayed growing season and a late September harvest, yielding many vibrant and balanced examples that are approachable but with good aging potential; Chardonnay excelled
A challenging season, with a miraculous recovery at harvest yielding a small but exceptional crop; ripe and harmonious
A challenging season, with a miraculous recovery at harvest yielding a small but exceptional crop; ripe and harmonious
Limited releases available from this erratic vintage; Chardonnay fared best as mid-August rains led to widespread rot for Pinots
Limited releases available from this erratic vintage; Chardonnay fared best as mid-August rains led to widespread rot for Pinots
Vivid, well-structured wines in a classic style, with fine textural finesse; potentially long-lived
Vivid, well-structured wines in a classic style, with fine textural finesse; potentially long-lived
Notable older vintages: 1988, 1985, 1982, 1973, 1971, 1964, 1961, 1959, 1953, 1949
Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.

Sign Up for Wine Spectator’s Free Email Newsletters and stay up-to-date with all things wine.

© Copyright 2022 Wine Spectator. All rights reserved.
Description Approach cautiously; very few houses declared a vintage due to heterogenous fruit at harvest
Description Approach cautiously; very few houses declared a vintage due to heterogenous fruit at harvest
Description A warm season yielded harmonious wines with fine expression; approachable, with good overall quality
Description A warm season yielded harmonious wines with fine expression; approachable, with good overall quality
Description Due to the challenging growing season few houses declared this vintage; top producers offer fresh, accessible versions
Description Due to the challenging growing season few houses declared this vintage; top producers offer fresh, accessible versions
Description Well-structured and generous; the best offer fine integration and expression
Description Well-structured and generous; the best offer fine integration and expression
Description Open-knit and approachable versions capable of short-term cellaring; Chardonnay fared best
Description Open-knit and approachable versions capable of short-term cellaring; Chardonnay fared best
Description An abundant harvest; sleek and vibrant in style, particularly for Chardonnay
Description An abundant harvest; sleek and vibrant in style, particularly for Chardonnay
Description Few houses declared this torrid vintage, with little Chardonnay due to April frosts; the best can be sumptuous, but some inconsistency
Description Few houses declared this torrid vintage, with little Chardonnay due to April frosts; the best can be sumptuous, but some inconsistency
Description The best year since 1996, with complexity and richness backed by firm, lively structures; the finest will repay cellaring
Description The best year since 1996, with complexity and richness backed by firm, lively structures; the finest will repay cellaring
Description The top examples are balanced, with vibrant structures and finesse; medium- to full-bodied
Description The top examples are balanced, with vibrant structures and finesse; medium- to full-bodied
Description Ripe, healthy grapes made generous wines; round and fresh despite low acidity
Description Ripe, healthy grapes made generous wines; round and fresh despite low acidity
Description Rich, elegant wines, with good balance and intensity
Description Rich, elegant wines, with good balance and intensity
Description Lean and firm; the best are balanced, but some are tart
Description Lean and firm; the best are balanced, but some are tart
Description Ripe and intense; firmly structured and potentially long-lived
Description Ripe and intense; firmly structured and potentially long-lived
Description Rich, generous and balanced; particularly successful for Chardonnay
Description Rich, generous and balanced; particularly successful for Chardonnay
Description Big, powerful and full-flavored
Description Big, powerful and full-flavored

When collecting Champagnes, it is important to understand not only which vintages are great, but also why. Our specialists share a selection of top vintages over the past century

Open a larger version of this image

Open a larger version of this image

Open a larger version of this image

Open a larger version of this image

Open a larger version of this image

Open a larger version of this image

15 December 2021
Wine | Collecting Guide

Perhaps no other wine region on earth is as vintage driven as Champagne. Because of its location in northeastern France on the edge of where grape growing is possible, many of the harvests in any given decade are not suitable for the production of top-quality, single-vintage Champagne.

Most of the Champagne produced is non-vintage, meaning that the wine is a blend of grapes grown during many different vintages. Single-vintage Champagne is usually only produced three or four times per decade and makes up less than 5% of total Champagne production. The rarity of these top vintages make the great years even more special, with exceptional and rare vintages seeing commanding prices at auction.
With climate change, however, the industry is swiftly changing — sparkling wine production is now possible as far north as southern England, and Champagne itself has seen a string of roller-coaster vintages during the past decade.

Nevertheless, a Champagne’s vintage remains one of the most important factors for collectors and lovers of aged Champagne. Here, our specialists share a selection of outstanding vintages from the past century, as well as why each will uniquely appeal to different buyers.

2012 was an exceptional vintage in Champagne and the best since the stellar 2008. The year began with challenging conditions. During February weather was down to between minus 10 and 20 degrees. March was warm which encouraged early bud-break. However, April was damp, and in May, some regions suffered from frost damage, which along with the mildew pressure, reduced yields.

Fortunes improved in mid-July with the arrival of dry and sunny weather that continued up until harvest. August was hot, but cool nights helped to retain acidity. In September, healthy grapes were harvested. These grapes contained the rare combination of high acid and sugar levels, which produces balanced wines offering both depth and concentration of flavours and refreshing vivacity and tension.
In particular, Pinot Noir performed superbly in 2012. As with other great vintages, the 2012 cuvées will age exceptionally well and can be laid down for enjoyment over the next few decades to come.

The 2008 vintage is widely considered one of the top two vintages of this century so far. The growing season got off to a rocky start with an unusually cool and damp spring. The cool weather persisted throughout much of the summer, but September brought idyllic weather that sped up ripening.

By harvest, the grapes were in near-perfect condition. They had high levels of both sugar and acid, and growers were extremely happy with the results. Subsequent tastings have proven the wines to be of exceptional quality. The vintage is defined by its crisp, linear structure and racy, energetic taste profile. Given its exceptional structure and balance, 2008 is estimated to be one of the longest aging vintages.

The 2004 vintage produced excellent wines which illustrated that high-yielding harvests can also produce grapes with a superb balance of ripeness and acidity, and wines that can age exceptionally well. Spring was sunny and dry which enabled a successful flowering and set yields to be higher than average. August was relatively cool with some rain which caused some rot and mildew, however harvest proceeded in good weather from mid-September.

The result: elegant wines with a harmonious balance of fruit concentration and intensity of aromatics and flavours, plus the structure to age and evolve in bottle.

The first stand-out vintage after the millennium is 2002. In terms of quality, it rivals 2008 and 2012, but it stands out for very different reasons. It was an unusually warm year that pushed the grape’s ripeness to the extreme, leading to rich, plush, and deeply intense wines. The warm and mostly dry summer with fresh nights led into a warm and dry harvest, producing grapes with exceptional concentration. The resulting wines are plush and rich due to high sugar and alcohol levels, but well balanced by high acid. Outstanding wines were made by many top producers.

At one time considered the greatest vintage of the last century, time has proven these wines to be a bit more variable. However, it is still considered one of the greats. It was a summer of fluctuating weather, but generally dry and warm with a relatively cool September due to a north wind, which gave the vintage its signature high acidity. Surprisingly, the vintage was also very ripe: a rare combination which was coined ‘10:10,’ due to the fact that many producers harvested grapes with 10% potential alcohol combined with 10 g/l of acidity.

The remarkably high sugar and acid in this year’s grapes led to wines that are deeply concentrated with intense flavour and structure. While a few wines have shown signs of premature oxidation potentially due to winds concentrating the oxidative compounds, wines from top producers, such as Cristal, Krug , and Salon , remain in excellent condition. International director of Christie’s Wine and Spirits department , Tim Triptree MW rates the 1996 Cristal as one of the finest champagnes he has ever tasted.

1988, 1989, and 1990 were a trilogy of excellent vintages in Champagne. Initial
Nikki Brooks Trio Porn
Classy Secretary Chaturbate Porn
Naughty America Nobody Does It Better Mp3

Vintage Champagne

Report Page