Vintage

The year the grapes were harvested.

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Definition

Vintage is the year the grapes were harvested. The year printed on the label points to that year’s growing-season weather, and good or difficult years affect a wine’s quality and style.

Why it matters for WSET

Alongside region and climate, vintage is a clue WSET students use to read a wine’s likely quality and character.

Example

In Bordeaux, 2015 is widely regarded as a good vintage.

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