vintage wine
B2Formal to semi-formal, commercial
Definition
Meaning
Wine made from grapes harvested in a specific, single, often notable year.
Refers to a wine of high quality from a particular year, often used to denote superior or classic quality more generally. The term 'vintage' can imply something classic, enduring, or representing the best of a particular era.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to the year of production as a key marker of quality and character. Unlike 'non-vintage' (NV) wines, which are blends from multiple years. The concept is central to the prestige and valuation of many wines, particularly from regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are identical. Cultural context and availability of specific vintages may influence familiarity.
Connotations
Both associate it with quality, tradition, and often expense. In the UK, there may be a stronger historical association with French wines. In the US, domestic (Californian) vintages are also prominent.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to longer-established wine culture in general discourse, but common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The sommelier recommended a vintage wine [for the occasion].We invested in a case of vintage wine [from 1990].This is a vintage wine [of exceptional character].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's like a fine vintage wine, getting better with age.”
- “That joke is vintage 1980s.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing, auction catalogues, and investment portfolios. E.g., 'The 2015 vintage wine has shown remarkable appreciation.'
Academic
Used in oenology (wine science) and historical studies of agriculture and climate. E.g., 'The study correlates rainfall patterns with vintage wine quality indices.'
Everyday
Used when ordering at a restaurant, giving a gift, or discussing a special occasion. E.g., 'Shall we open a bottle of vintage wine for your birthday?'
Technical
Used by sommeliers and winemakers referring to specific harvest conditions, legal appellation rules, and cellar management. E.g., 'This vintage wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- We visited a vineyard specialising in vintage wine production.
- It was a vintage wine moment for the couple.
American English
- The auction featured several vintage wine collections.
- They have a vintage wine cellar in their home.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This red wine is very good. It is a vintage wine.
- For the wedding, they served a vintage wine from Italy.
- My father keeps a few bottles of vintage wine in the cupboard.
- The restaurant's list includes several fine vintage wines at a premium price.
- Experts consider 2015 to be an outstanding vintage wine year for the region.
- As a shrewd investor, she diversified her portfolio to include rare vintage wines.
- The nuances of a great vintage wine can be attributed to that year's unique terroir and climatic conditions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of VINTAGE WINE as WINE with a DATE STAMP of honour. The 'vint-' comes from 'vintage' like 'vintner' (wine maker), and 'age' tells you it's about the wine's specific year of birth.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A QUALIFIER (The year gives the wine its identity and value). A GOOD YEAR IS A TREASURE (The harvest year is a buried treasure to be uncorked).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'винтажное вино' in very formal/official Russian wine labeling; 'вино урожая [года]' or 'марочное вино' is often used. 'Винтажный' has a stronger association with vintage clothing/style in Russian.
- Do not confuse with 'винтаж' as a style (e.g., vintage decor).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'vintage wine' to mean any old wine (it must be from a single, declared year).
- Saying 'a vintage' without 'wine' when the context isn't clear (e.g., 'He collects vintages' is acceptable among enthusiasts).
- Confusing 'vintage' (year) with 'aged' or 'old' (time in bottle).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key defining feature of a 'vintage wine'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Vintage' refers to the year it was made, not its age. A 2020 wine is a vintage wine, but it is not old. However, the term is often used in contexts discussing older, matured wines.
Not necessarily. It is different. Non-vintage wines (like many Champagnes) are blended for consistent style year after year. Vintage wines express the character of a specific year, which may be exceptional or mediocre.
Legally, it depends on the region's rules. In most major wine regions, to label a wine with a vintage year, a high percentage (often 85-95%) of the grapes must be from that year.
'Harvest' is the action of picking the grapes. 'Vintage' is the noun form referring to that year's harvest and the wine produced from it. You can say 'the 2023 harvest' and 'the 2023 vintage'.