Non-Vintage (N.V.)

Sparkling Wine Consistency
Non-Vintage (often abbreviated as N.V.) refers to wines made by blending grapes from multiple harvest years, rather than from a single vintage. This approach allows winemakers to maintain a consistent house style regardless of annual variations. While vintage wines showcase a specific year's character, non-vintage wines aim to deliver a reliable experience with each bottle.

The Art of Blending:
Creating a non-vintage wine requires exceptional skill from winemakers who must carefully blend wines from different years to achieve a consistent profile. This process is particularly demanding in regions with variable climates. At Champagne powerhouse Billecart-Salmon for example, the process takes around 2 months with weekly tastings before deciding on the final blend for their Brut Reserve. The ability to maintain consistency despite nature's variations is considered by many to be the highest form of winemaking artistry.

Regional Significance:
Non-vintage wines dominate certain prestigious categories. In Champagne, N.V. brut represents approximately 95% of the region's production, serving as most houses' bread-and-butter. This approach makes sense in a northern region where weather can be unpredictable. Similarly, in Portugal's Douro Valley, about 98% of Port production released annually is non-vintage, allowing producers to maintain their signature styles year after year.

Practical Considerations:
On wine labels, non-vintage wines typically display "N.V." or simply omit any year designation. Unlike vintage wines, most non-vintage wines are designed for immediate enjoyment. For sparkling wines, regulations often require minimum aging periods—non-vintage Champagne must spend at least 15 months of ageing, though most houses extend this to 2-3 years. Once purchased, non-vintage Champagne is generally best enjoyed within about 3 years.

To Sum It All Up...
Through careful blending, producers create reliable expressions that reflect their house style rather than a specific growing season, battling nature's unpredictability. While they may lack the unique character of a standout vintage year, well-crafted non-vintage wines offer dependable quality and a clear expression of a producer's winemaking philosophy.