What is Vintage Champagne?
The word 'vintage' is synonymous with quality but what does it actually mean with regards to Champagne... and why does it matter?
In Champagne, a vintage (or millésimé as you will sometimes see it denoted) refers to a wine made entirely from grapes harvested in a single year. Unlike non-vintage (NV) or Brut sans année Champagnes – which blend multiple years to achieve a consistent house style – vintage Champagnes capture the unique character of one specific harvest. They’re a snapshot in time, a reflection of the year’s climate, ripeness, and balance.
Why Are Vintage Champagnes Rare & Revered?
Not every year in Champagne produces the conditions needed for a vintage. The region’s marginal climate means that only in exceptional years do the grapes achieve the perfect balance of sugar, acidity, and structure. For most producers, vintage releases are reserved for standout harvests that express something truly distinctive and, for grower producers a vintage is even more personal – it’s not a marketing exercise, it’s an artistic statement. When a grower releases a vintage Champagne, it’s because the year told a story worth preserving.
The Character of Vintage Grower Champagnes
Grower Champagnes, especially vintage ones, tend to showcase terroir and individuality far more vividly than their big-house counterparts. Because these wines are made in small quantities from specific vineyard plots, they reflect the subtle nuances of soil, microclimate, and vine age.
Vintage grower Champagnes are also crafted for longevity. After their secondary fermentation, they spend extended time ageing on the lees (the spent yeast) – often for 10 years or more before release. This slow maturation builds depth and complexity, introducing those prized secondary notes of brioche, nuts and caramel, whilst still preserving the freshness that defines Champagne.
The Scarcity of Old-Vintage Grower Champagnes
Considering the qualities achieved and desire in the marketplace for these older cuvées you could be forgiven for wondering why we don't see more of them. The simple fact is that for most small growers, holding back stock for long ageing simply isn’t practical. Limited cellar space and cash flow mean that few can afford to store bottles for a decade before release. As a result, grower vintages from 10 years ago or more are increasingly scarce.
In contrast, the Grand Maisons – with their vast reserves and production scale – are able to cellar vintage wines for longer and re-release them in maturity. This makes well-aged grower vintages something of a hidden treasure: limited, authentic, and deeply expressive.
The Beauty of a Moment in Time
To open a vintage Grower Champagne is to taste a moment that will never happen again – a year of weather, soil, and human touch captured in the glass. Whether from a crisp, elegant 2014 harvest or a rich, sun-kissed 2008, each vintage tells its own story.
At Sip Champagnes, we are lucky to get access to some rare old Grower Champagnes. So, if you're looking to sample something special, here are a few we think you should try...
Caillez Lemaire Jadis 2012 – From 2024 Hachette Vignerons of the year comes a brilliant blend from one of the best vintages of the past 20 years.
Remy Lequeux-Mercier 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 – Possibly the best priced selection of pre-2010 Grower Champagne on the market. These cuvées have been a massive hit with sommeliers looking for depth of flavour at incredible value.
Bonnaire Cramant 2004 – Beautiful buttery, toffee'd notes blend seamlessly with the classic crisp chalky profile of Cramant.
Want to take a deep dive? Try a range of expressions with our Vintage Exploration Case
