What is a Single Vineyard Wine?

It might sound like marketing jargon, but a single-vineyard wine is actually surprisingly honest: all the grapes come from a single vineyard. No blending, no tricks, just the pure expression of one piece of earth. But why would you pay more for that? And more importantly: do you really taste the difference?

The essence of a Single Vineyard

Imagine: you have a vegetable garden. You know exactly which corner produces the tastiest tomatoes. It's the same with wine. A single vineyard wine tells the story of a single chosen spot, with its own character and quirks—how the sun hits it, how the wind blows/doesn't blow, and so on. It's the difference between a mass-produced tomato from the supermarket and that perfect, sun-ripened tomato from your own garden... of course, there are also spots that actually benefit from being blended in. But then you wouldn't call it a single vineyard.

What makes that one vineyard special?

Winemakers don't choose a specific vineyard at random. They see something unique in that soil, that slope, or that special mix of sun, wind, rain, shade, and soil composition.

Compare it to a chef who knows he needs to source his butter from a specific local farmer, his basil from his own garden, and his bread from a baker in a nearby village. He knows his "terroir."

But... is it worth that extra €€€?

Let's be honest: single-vineyard wines are more expensive. Some critics will say it's pure marketing. But from experience, I can tell you that in many cases, that's really not the case.

Try this test: Get a generic Burgundy Pinot Noir and one grand cru or "monopole" (a single vineyard owned by a single producer). The difference will often be enormous. Whether it's your style, of course, is another matter. That also answers the question: is it worth it? Well, I can't determine that for you, but it's certainly a different experience.

Now, this is already a rather expensive test, but you can also test the idea of ​​focusing on a single grape origin, which is of course what we do with a single vineyard, in a somewhat simpler way. In the same region.

In Burgundy, try a generic Pinot Noir from a house. This is often a blend of grapes from different vineyards, and even from different villages. Then, try a Pinot Noir from the same house, but from a specific region within Burgundy, such as Pommard, Nuits St. Georges, or Savigny. That difference costs less to test, but it gives you a step-by-step experience.

A single vineyard often shows more precision, more character, more... personality, more depth. This is quite logical, because it's like trying to describe the average person in a group, with not 100 people in the group, but 5. That will always produce a more specific and distinct picture.

Impact of terroir

The most fascinating aspect? The same grape variety can taste completely different depending on where it's grown:

• A Riesling from a steep slate slope tastes different than one from the valley
  
• A Chardonnay from chalky soil develops different flavors than one from clay soil
  
• Even the wind direction can influence the end result
  

Is single vineyard wine better?

A single-vineyard wine isn't automatically better—it's different. Just as a small, authentic restaurant isn't necessarily better than a well-run large kitchen. It's all about what you're looking for in a wine.

Single-vineyard wines are perfect for those moments when you really want to taste where a wine comes from. They're ideal for wine lovers who want to understand why terroir is so important. But be warned: once you taste the difference, there's often no going back ;)

Yes, these wines are more expensive. But remember: you're not just paying for the wine, but for a unique experience. It's like the difference between mass-produced cheese and artisanal cheese from a single farm. The latter is more expensive, but tells a completely different story.

The Future of Single Vineyard

With climate change, specific vineyards are becoming even more important. Some historic plots are losing their magic, while previously unsuitable locations are suddenly becoming ideal. This makes following single-vineyard wines even more interesting—you can literally taste how the wine world is changing.

It remains a personal choice

Single-vineyard wines aren't better wines—they're more specific wines. They tell the story of one place, one year, one vision. Is that worth the extra price? That depends on how much you value that story in your glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are single vineyard wines always more expensive?
   Usually, yes, but there are surprising exceptions, especially from emerging wine regions. For example, you can get the Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc for just €22.95, and the Grola Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC from top winery Allegrini for just €30.95, excluding sales.
   
   
2. How do I recognize a single vineyard wine?
   Look for terms like 'lieu-dit', 'monopole' (France), 'Einzellage' (Germany) or simply the name of a specific vineyard on the label.
   
   
3. Do I have to be a wine connoisseur to taste the difference?
   Absolutely not. Often, the differences are very noticeable, especially for novice wine lovers.
   
   
4. Are blends from different vineyards inferior?
   No, some of the world's best wines are actually carefully crafted blends.
   
   
5. Where do I start when I want to discover single vineyard wines?
   Start with classic regions like Burgundy or German Riesling, where the concept has existed for centuries. A good entry-level option is the Von Winning Paradiesgarten Riesling Trocken from the renowned German region of Palatinate or the Luquet Saint-Véran Vers Les Monts 2023 from Burgundy for less than €20.