The importance of Wine Vintages
For wine lovers, collectors and investors alike, the term ‘vintage’ is more than just a year on the bottle - it’s a story of climate, craftsmanship and character. Each vintage captures the unique conditions of a growing season, shaping the wine’s flavour, aging potential and value.
Whether you’re selecting a bottle for immediate enjoyment or looking to build a collection from The Cellar’s premium range, understanding vintages can help you make more informed choices.
In this guide, we’ll explore why vintages matter, how they impact wine and what New Zealand wine enthusiasts should look for when selecting their next bottle.
Let’s go back to basics, what is a wine vintage?
In the world of wine, the term ‘vintage’ refers to the year in which the grapes were harvested. While it might seem like just a number on a label, a wine’s vintage plays a crucial role in shaping its flavour, quality and overall value.
Factors such as weather conditions, regional climate variations and vineyard practices all contribute to how a particular vintage turns out. For wine enthusiasts in New Zealand, understanding vintages can enhance both purchasing decisions and tasting experiences.
But why do these numbers printed on the bottle matter?
Unlike many other alcoholic beverages, wine is deeply influenced by nature. Each growing season presents unique challenges and opportunities for winemakers. From exceptionally warm summer yielding bold, fruit-forward wines to a cooler season producing more delicate and acidic profiles, vintage variation often appreciate in value, making them prized assets in any cellar.
Climate and Weather influences
The quality of a vintage is primarily determined by climate and weather conditions throughout the growing season. Here’s how different elements play a role:
Temperature:
Warmer growing seasons tend to produce riper, fruitier wines with softer tannins, whereas cooler years result in wines with higher acidity and more subtle flavours.
Rainfall:
Too much rain before harvest can dilute flavours, while drought conditions may stress vines and lead to concentrated, intense wines.
Frost and hail:
Unexpected frosts or hailstorms can damage grape crops, leading to smaller yields and, in extreme cases, a poor-quality vintage.
The relationship between vintages and aging potential:
While some wines are best enjoyed young, others improve with age. A wine’s vintage can significantly impact its aging potential: Great vintages often have excellent balance between acidity, tannins and fruit concentration, allowing them to develop complex flavours over time. Less favourable vintages may produce wines that are best consumed early, as they lack the structure to improve with cellaring. Certain varietals like New Zealand Pinot Noir and Syrah, show noticeable differences in aging potential depending on vintage conditions.
A dive into some New Zealand Vintages:
It’s no secret that New Zealand is renowned for its world class wines, from its crisp Sauvignon Blancs of Marlborough to elegant Pinot Noir from Central Otago. Given the country’s maritime climate, vintages can vary significantly by region.
Here’s a look at how some of New Zealand’s recent vintages have fared:
2020: Considered a stand out year with warm and dry conditions producing vibrant and fruit-forward wines, especially in Marlborough and Hawke's Bay.
2017: A cooler and wetter year that led to more restrained, high-acid wines particularly in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
2014: A great vintage, yielding bold, structured reds and beautifully aromatic whites.
How to choose the right vintage:
For casual wine drinkers, selecting the right vintage doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some quick tips to help you make that decision:
Look for vintage reports - websites and wine publications regularly access and rate vintages for each region.
Ask your local retailer and us we hold great knowledge and can provide some good insights into the best years for different varieties.
Check the producer - Some winemakers have the expertise to produce great wines even in challenging vintages.
FAQs:
What does NV mean on a wine label?
NZ stands for ‘non-vintage’ meaning the wine is a blend of multiple years rather than a single vintage, this is very common in Champagne and some fortified wines.
Are older vintages always better?
Not necessarily, some wines peak early while others improve over time. The key is knowing the varietal and the conditions of that particular year.
Does vintage matter for all types of wine?
Vintage variation is most noticeable in premium wines, especially with red wines with ageing potential. Everyday drinking wines tend to have more consistent profiles year to year.
For us wine lovers, vintages can play a crucial role in shaping the world-class wines we offer. From the sun-kissed vineyards of Hawke's Bayy to the cool-climate elegance of Central Otago, each vintage tells a unique story of terroir and time. So next time you explore our Cellar collection, take a moment to check the vintage, you might just be holding a future gem in your cart.
