What is the difference between vintage and non-vintage Champagne?

The main difference between vintage and non-vintage Champagne, is not that the vintage is old but that it is made from the grapes of only one year’s harvest, whereas non-vintage Champagne is a blend of different years’ harvest.

The Champagne Houses and growers provide a continuous house style through the blending of various vintages, to create the yearly non-vintage Champagne. Non-vintage Champagnes are far more popular and usually lesser priced compared to vintages.

Is there a taste quality difference? Yes, a good quality year, will produce a typically fuller, deeper Champagne, making it thus a vintage year. Vintage Champagne, made 100% from the year indicated on the label, are likely to be cuvées which are more toasty and richer in flavours having nearly always longer aging in the bottle (minimum 3 years).

Vintage Champagnes labels

Vintages are generally produced three or four times a decade. This represents less than 5% of total Champagne production. Non-vintage Champagnes will be left to mature for at least 1.5 years, a vintage Champagne must be left for at least three years, although will often be left for longer.

Many Champagne houses, especially the bigger and more well known labels, like to show off new vintage releases that includes special events around the world and masterclasses for wine professionals – It’s a big celebration in the industry when a new vintage is released!