Why Vintage Matters
Each growing season brings unique weather patterns — frost, heat waves, rainfall, and sunshine hours all vary year to year. These variations create vintage differences that can dramatically affect wine quality and character.
Great Vintages
Legendary vintages become benchmarks: 2005, 2009, and 2010 in Bordeaux; 2015 and 2019 in Burgundy; 2012 and 2013 in Napa Valley. In exceptional years, wines show greater concentration, balance, and aging potential.
Non-Vintage Wines
Some wines blend multiple vintages:
- Champagne NV — most Champagne houses blend several years to maintain a consistent house style
- Sherry solera — fractional blending across decades creates complexity
- Port — tawny Ports blend vintages; only exceptional years are "declared" as vintage Port
Vintage Variation and Climate Change
Climate change is altering vintage patterns worldwide. Earlier harvests, higher alcohol levels, and shifting flavour profiles are reshaping what each vintage means. Some cool-climate regions are benefiting while traditional warm regions face challenges.