Vintage wine: what is it + a brief reference to countries and brands

Even absolute teetotalers know that wines are divided into red and white, still and semi-sweet. But not everyone knows what is meant by "vintage wine".

The main feature of such a drink is its long aging in oak barrels, which helps to saturate the product with extractive substances from grape fruits and specially prepared wood.

The "term" is considered outdated

It was replaced by new definitions of "high-quality", "aged reserve", "with a protected geographical indication", but many old brands have stuck with this concept.

Maturation in an oak barrel reveals the wine bouquet and gives it special flavor and aroma qualities, so such alcohol is highly valued among connoisseurs. The minimum aging period for a drink to receive the status of "vintage" is one and a half years.

Production technology and other parameters differ for each brand. Therefore, before assigning a special category, a thorough check is carried out by specialists of the tasting commission.

The commission controls:

1. Compliance with the methodology, conditions and region of cultivation of raw materials.

2. The ratio of grape varieties contained in the drink.

3. Compliance with the technology of storage and processing of fruits.

4. The content of a certain amount of alcohol.

Italian and Spanish vintage wines

Italian grape drinks are among the best-selling in the world, as they are made using unique varieties that do not grow in other regions of the world. Local vintage drinks should be sought in the categories DOC и DOCG.

The first ones are relatively affordable, the second ones are beyond the reach of a few. The most famous among the great Italian wines are ancient Chianti, Asti and Barbaresco.

Among the relatively affordable brands are Podere Sapaio, Sella and Mosca, Marisa Cuomo, Cantina Tramin, Zenato, Hans Rottensteiner.

Affordable Spanish vintage wines: Baron Ladron de Guevara, Marques de Riscal.

French vintage wines

France has a whole scattering of worthy wines and world-famous producers. Vineyard drinks here are marked with the AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protegee) or AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlee). These wines are strictly tested at all stages of production, subjected to expert evaluation and tasting by a special commission.

The best samples are grown in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, Provence, the Rhone and Loire valleys, Languedoc and Roussillon. Products from recent regions are more affordable.

Among the most famous affordable brands from the vintage French category: Chateau Boutisse, Jean Loron, Xavier Guiraud, Chateau L'Ermitage (Costieres des Nimes), Vinadeis, Chateau Capion, Domaine des Carabiniers, Maison Riviere.

Georgian vintage wines

Wines from Georgia are among the most favorite in the post-Soviet states, which is explained by their excellent quality and budget price. The most popular vintage wines:

1. Alazan Valley

   White semi-sweet drink with a delicate straw color. Produced from Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Tetra varieties.

   It has a characteristic varietal aroma, fresh, delicate, harmonious taste. Strength: 10-12%.

2. Akhasheni

   Red semi-sweet cherry-colored wine with a tart, velvety taste with notes of chocolate.

   Produced in the valley of the same name from Saperavi grapes. Strength: 10-13%. Aged for at least 2 years.

3. Kindzmarauli

   Legendary Georgian wine of ripe cherry color. Red, semi-sweet, with a powerful varietal bouquet, delicate, bright, velvety taste.

   Produced according to the Imereti technology (grapes are crushed together with seeds and twigs, which are removed before fermentation) from the Saperavi variety harvested in Kakheti (near the village of Kvareli). Strength: 11-13%.

4. Kvareli

   Dry drink with a rich ruby color. Produced from Saperavi grapes harvested near the village of the same name in the Alazan Valley.

   Differs in intense ruby color, floral aroma, light velvety taste. Aged for at least 3 years (according to the ancient technology - in special quenching tanks). Strength: 13-14%.

5. Mukuzani

   Dry red drink made from Saperavi fruit, named after the village of the same name in Kakheti. One of the most famous, favorite, time-tested Georgian wines.

   Aging period - at least 3 years. Strength: 10-12,5%. It has a complex flavor with oak and berry notes, rich pomegranate color.

6. Cinandali

   White dry wine named after the village of the same name. One of the oldest wines in Georgia. Produced from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane varieties.

   It has a light straw color, fruity aroma, delicate, delicate taste. Aging period - 3 years.

Australian vintage wines

As such, there is no such thing as a "vintage wine" in Australia, most of the drinks belong to the category of blends, raw materials are grown in different regions, and the technology can be completely different in neighboring wine regions.

However, there are quality brands that have become the hallmark of the continent. And work is underway to systematize the categories.

The following Australian producers produce decent aged samples: Torbreck, Peter Lehmann, Charles Melton, Two Hands, Penfolds, Yalumba, Henschke, Jim Barry, Tim Adams, d'Arenberg, WirraWirra, Lindemans, Ashton Hills, Lenswood Vineyards, Petaluma, Plantagenet Wines, Cullen, Casella Wines, Dromana Estate, Mount Mary Vineyard.

Chilean vintage wines

Winemaking in the hot South American country began to develop in the XVI century.

On the shelves of Russian stores, Chilean wine products are presented quite diverse. Among them there are both decent budget and expensive collectible samples.

The best wines are denoted by the categories Vinos sin Denomination de Origin (grape variety and year of harvest are indicated) and Vinos con Denomination de Origin (confirmed place of origin, grape variety, vintage).

It is worth noting that according to local laws, the information on the label must be at least 75% correct.

When choosing a drink, do not be guided by the inscriptions Reserva, Reserva Especial, Gran Reserva, as they do not guarantee the aging of wine.

Worthy barrel-aged samples from Chile can be found under the brands Vina Sena, Tarapaca, Montes, Cono Sur, Santa Carolina, Arboleda, Errazuriz, Vina Maipo, Vina Aquitania, Vina Caliterra, Vina Chocalan...

Moldovan vintage wines

Grape drinks from Moldova were especially popular during the Soviet era. Today, they say, their quality is far from what it used to be. However, there are brands that still maintain their reputation. Among the most famous Moldovan vintage wines:

1. Negru de Purcar

   A ruby-garnet-colored red dry drink with a rich aroma with hints of prunes, chocolate, figs, blueberries, saffron, oak and vanilla.

2. Rosho de Purcar

   Red dry wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec varieties. Aging period - 3 years. The bouquet contains oak, floral, vanilla, berry, almond notes.

3. Fetjaska

   White dry wine made from grapes of the same name. It has a golden color, mild flavor with tones of fruit and flowers.

Local Cabernet, Riesling, and Aligote are also highly valued.

Among the most famous producers: Cricova, Mileştii Mici, Dionysos Mereni, Chateau Vartely, Vinaria Purcari, KVINT, Bouquet of Moldova.

Crimean vintage wines

Among the grape drinks of Crimea, you can find products of completely different quality: both frankly mediocre and remarkably outstanding. Many local wines are named after the varieties from which they are made.

The most appreciated are aged drinks from Aligote, Riesling, nutmeg varieties, sweet sherries, port wines from Rkatsiteli, Kokura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Bastardo.

Among the brands that have maintained their reputation for many decades, it is worth noting:

1. Zolotaya Balka (Inkerman)

   A light golden wine with a pleasant, fresh, harmonious caramel flavor with a spicy bitterness. Aging: 1.5 years. Alcohol content: 10-12%.

2. White Muscat of the Red Stone (Massandra)

   White liqueur wine. It has an elegant, velvety, harmonious taste with honey, floral and citrus tones. Aged in barrels for 2 years.

3. Black Doctor (Solnechnaya Dolina)

   Dessert tart red wine with accents of figs, cream, pear, dogwood, black mulberry. Alcohol: 16%.

Also highly rated: Muscatel Pink, Muscat White, Madera, Seventh Heaven of Prince Golitsyn, Alushta (Massandra), Black Colonel, Cabernet Kachinskoye (Inkerman).

From the original Russian vintage wines

The most popular are Krasnodar Riesling (Sauk-Dere), Sauvignon (Gelendzhik), Likuria (Lefkadia), and Dagestan wines: Derbent Golden, Sherry and Madera (Derbent Cognac Factory).

Update: 02.02.2020

Category: Wine and Vermouth