Vintage Champagne: How to Choose It, Store It, and When to Drink It
What sets a vintage apart, the exceptional years, and how to store it properly before gifting it.
The essentials, in short
In short
Difference: a vintage champagne comes from a single harvest year, unlike non-vintage, which blends several years.
Exceptional years: 2008, 2012, and 2015 rank among the most acclaimed vintages of the decade.
Serving: a bit warmer than a non-vintage (8-10°C / 46-50°F), to let its complexity express itself.
Gifting a vintage champagne always makes an impression, but it helps to know what actually sets it apart from a standard bottle — and how to store it correctly while waiting to gift it or open it.
Vintage vs non-vintage: the difference
The vast majority of champagnes sold are non-vintage: blends of several harvest years, designed to reproduce the same house style year after year. A vintage champagne, by contrast, comes exclusively from grapes harvested in a single year, and is only produced when that year is judged exceptional enough by the house. This is why a vintage isn't released every year.
The exceptional years to know
Among the most acclaimed vintages of the 2010s, three years come up particularly often in enthusiast discussions: 2008, often considered one of the greatest vintages of the century thanks to near-ideal weather conditions, 2012, marked by good ripeness after a difficult season, and 2015, appreciated for its balance between freshness and roundness.
How to store it properly
A vintage champagne is stored under the same conditions as a fine wine: horizontally, in a cool place (12-14°C / 54-57°F), away from light and vibration. Contrary to a common misconception, a vintage can be kept for several additional years after purchase without degrading, as long as these storage conditions are respected.
When and at what temperature to drink it
A vintage champagne is served slightly warmer than a non-vintage: aim for 8 to 10°C (46-50°F) rather than 6-8°C, which lets its more complex aromas express themselves better. A tulip-shaped glass, which concentrates aromas toward the opening while preserving the bubbles, remains the best-suited choice for this type of champagne.
A distinctive shimmer that does justice to an exceptional bottle.
To explore the full range, our champagne glasses collection covers every style, from everyday use to exceptional occasions.
