What do vintage dates on wine mean?

That year on your wine bottle

Do you ever find yourself standing in front of a wine rack, wondering what that year on the bottle actually means? Those numbers sometimes tell a fascinating story about what's in your glass. It's a kind of time capsule that transports you back to the moment the grapes were harvested.

The Basics: What Does the Year Say?

The principle is actually surprisingly simple: the year (or "vintage") on your wine bottle tells you when the grapes were harvested. It's worth noting that this often means September or October in the Northern Hemisphere, and six months earlier in the Southern Hemisphere. But why is that so important?

The climate as a master chef

Think of winemaking as cooking with the ingredients nature provides. A warm, sunny year with just the right amount of rain often produces ripe, full-bodied grapes. The result? A wine with intense flavors of ripe fruit. A cooler year, on the other hand, usually produces more elegant, fresher wines with higher acidity.

The tug of war between rain and sun

The weather plays a crucial role:

• 🌞 Lots of sun = riper, sweeter grapes
• 🌦️ Regular rain = juicy grapes with balance
• ⛈️ Too much rain = possibly watery flavors
• 🥶 Late frost = possible damage to the grapes

Why some wines don't have a vintage

Not every wine carries a vintage. These "non-vintage" wines, often found alongside Champagne and other sparkling wines , should be seen as an orchestra of vintages that together create a consistent flavor profile. The winemaker blends wines from different years to create a consistent flavor.

The big differences between years

Peak years vs. challenging years

2018 was a spectacular year in Napa Valley – the wines were so perfectly balanced and complex that wine lovers still talk about them. But 2018 in Italy? That was a completely different story, with relatively unimpressive results. Yet, a challenging year doesn't automatically mean bad wine – experienced winemakers can still make something beautiful. To take Italy into consideration, 2014 was generally cursed, but many Barolo and some Brunello wines from that year still look fantastic in 2025. A vintage that managed to inject considerable acidity into the wines, thus offering some extra longevity.

Investing in good vintages

For collectors and enthusiasts who store wine, vintages are essential. A top vintage from a prestigious region can be a smart investment. But be careful: proper storage conditions are crucial ( more on this in this article about storing bottles flat or upright, among other places ). A great wine from a top vintage can become worthless in a cupboard that's too warm.

Practical tips for choosing dates

When is the year really important?

For more expensive wines you want to keep, the vintage is crucial. For your everyday wine? Much less so. Moreover, some wineries are also very adept at making good wine in poor years. This can be achieved, for example, by making choices in how the grapes are distributed (in a poor year, the better grapes sometimes go into the house's less-than-stellar wines, and the top wines may not even be made).

The art of tasting

Comparing different vintages of the same wine is fascinating. Try comparing two vintages side by side—for example, a 2018 and a 2019 from the same Bordeaux. The differences can be astonishing, and it's precisely this variation that makes wine so captivating. Some houses capitalize on this by releasing a "vertical," like Hamilton Russel, for example .

Regional successes

Every wine region has its own star years. While Bordeaux celebrated in 2019, 2022 seems to be the year of the Rhône . And Burgundy ? It shone in 2015 (and in 2019, but those ripened earlier than 2015). Climate and microclimate therefore play a huge role in how the wine ultimately turns out.

The future of wine vintages

With climate change, we're seeing winemaking transform. Traditional wine regions are grappling with new challenges, while previously "too cold" regions (think Dutch wine ) are suddenly becoming more attractive. This makes tracking vintages more relevant than ever.

A glass full of stories

Every year tells a story—of sunny days, unexpected storms, early frosts, or perfect conditions. Once you understand that, every sip becomes a journey through time. It might seem a bit pretentious, but the more you delve into it, the more it makes sense.

Conclusion

The year on your wine bottle is more than just a number; it helps you understand what's in your glass. Whether you're a collector or simply enjoy a good glass of wine, this knowledge will enrich your wine experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is an older year always better?
   No, many wines are actually meant to be enjoyed young. Only certain premium wines improve with age.
2. What is the best recent vintage?
   2019 is generally considered an exceptional year, especially for French and Italian wines (where '20 and '21 are also very good). But the "best" year varies by region, and sometimes even by house.
3. How long can I keep a wine?
   This depends on the wine. Many everyday wines are at their best within 2-3 years. Premium wines can often last 10+ years.
4. Why are some vintages more expensive than others?
   Top vintages often produce better wines and are therefore more expensive. Weather-related scarcity can also drive up prices.
5. How do I recognize a good wine year?
   Search online for regional harvest reports or ask us.