WSET Level 1 Practice Question · Episode 62
Show Answer & Explanation (try the quiz first)
Practice Question
Why is 'NV (Non-Vintage)' often marked on Champagne labels instead of a specific year?
- A. Because the producers forgot the harvest year.
- B. To blend wines from several years to maintain a consistent quality and style every year.
- C. Because the wine is so old that the year is unknown.
- D. To indicate that only the cheapest grapes were used.
Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. To blend wines from several years to maintain a consistent quality and style every year. Explanation: Champagne is produced in a region with a very irregular climate. If only grapes from a single year were used, the taste would change significantly every year. To prevent this, Champagne houses blend wines from different years (Reserve Wines) so that consumers can enjoy the same 'house style' whenever and wherever they drink it. This is the true value of NV (Non-Vintage).
Key Theory Summary
NV is the art of showing a 'House Identity': 1. Blending: Current year's wine + Reserve wines from good past years. 2. Consistency: The goal is to keep the brand's signature taste identical every year. 3. Vintage Wine: In contrast, 'Vintage Champagne' is made only from 100% grapes of an exceptional year and is usually more expensive and complex.
Expert Exam Tip
[Trap]: Don't think "wines without a vintage are cheap." More than 80% of the Champagne market is NV, representing the pinnacle of blending expertise. [Tip]: If an exam mentions 'Consistent style' or 'Blending multiple years,' the answer is 'Non-Vintage' or 'NV.'