Which statement best describes Vintage Champagne?

• A. A blend of grapes from multiple years
• B. From grapes harvested in one year
• C. Typically produced by carbonating base wine
• D. Made from grapes harvested in one year and usually higher quality

Answer: (D)

Vintage Champagne is defined by using grapes harvested in a single year, so the wine expresses the particular conditions of that vintage. Because it comes from one harvest, producers can emphasize the concentration, structure, and aging potential of that year, which is why these bottles are often regarded as higher quality or more expressive than standard blends. In contrast, Champagnes labeled as non-vintage blend grapes from multiple years to maintain a consistent house style, not the single-year character of a vintage. Also, the bubbles in Champagne come from a second fermentation in the bottle (the traditional method), not from simply carbonating the base wine, so the term vintage isn’t about carbonation method.