People who are not well versed in wine history usually share a common misconception about Vintage Wine. Many hold the belief that because it is labeled as a 'vintage wine' that it is superior in quality and taste. Vintage wines actually indicate the year on the label is the one year of grapes grown and used in the wine.

The confusion may have originated from producers of Port, which is made using grapes from only a single year, which is later analyzed to see which years were particularly good. These are then labeled as a 'Vintage Port' which denotes that the particular year or batch was of particularly high quality.

Vintage wines share some similarities, however it does translate directly across. While they do use grapes from one year only, labeling it as a vintage does not guarantee that it is a good wine, it is more used to simple display what year the grapes were used. Usually the wines are released for sale and the wine community discusses and works out which of the wines are exceptionally good.

Another surprising fact is that vintage wines do not actually have to be made from 100% of grapes from that year. Some wines originating from South Africa or Chilie are only required to consist of 75% same year grapes. Vintage wines from the U.S, Australia, New Zealand and European Union have the bar set at 85% and higher.
The other types of wine, which are just called 'non-vintage' wines, can be made from grapes form harvests over two or more years. Wine makers seeking to produce wines that retain consistent styles of wine over the years use this method.

There is still heated debate in the wine community as to whether vintage is still a relevant and accurate gauge of quality, with one side arguing that good seasons produce riper and better tasting grapes, while the other side that modern farming methods and controlled irrigation have now rendered vintage stamping obsolete.

Follow the link for more information on vintage wine cellars.

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