Non-Vintage (NV) is a wine labelled without a single harvest year because it is blended from wines from more than one vintage. The term is especially common in Champagne, where producers combine base wines from the current harvest with reserve wines from previous years to maintain a consistent house style. Non-vintage does not mean the wine has no age or that it is necessarily lower quality.
Blending wines from different harvests helps a producer manage vintage variation and maintain a recognisable style. Reserve wines can add complexity, texture and consistency. The proportions and age of reserve wines vary by producer and cuvée.
Most Champagne is non-vintage. The producer blends wines from different harvests, then carries out the second fermentation in the bottle and matures the wine on its lees under the appellation rules. The label may show a lot number or disgorgement date, which can provide additional information about the bottle’s production and release.
A vintage wine is made from grapes harvested in a single declared year, subject to the relevant appellation rules. A non-vintage wine may combine several years. Vintage Champagne is generally produced only in selected years when the house considers the harvest suitable for a vintage release.
Example: a non-vintage Brut Champagne may combine the current harvest with reserve wines from several previous years to create a consistent house style.
Chef’s note: NV is not a quality grade. Evaluate the producer, cuvée, dosage, ageing and disgorgement information when selecting a bottle for service.
This term is one of hundreds covered in depth across OCS courses, learning paths, and 1-on-1 coaching with Chef Eric.
