What Makes Vintage Champagne Special

•  Single Year: Grapes come exclusively from one harvest, making each vintage unique.
•  Millésime: The French term for vintage, declared only when a harvest is of exceptional quality.
•  Extended Ageing: Aged for a minimum of three years, often far longer, building layers of brioche, honey, and spice.
•  Complexity & Depth: Known for their richness, structure, and ability to evolve for decades.
•  Rarity: Less than 5% of Champagne production is vintage, making these wines prized by collectors.

Serving, Pairing & Cellaring

•  Serve: Chill to 8–10°C and enjoy in a tulip-shaped glass to capture aromas.
•  Pairing: Vintage Champagne shines with lobster, scallops, truffle risotto, duck, or aged cheeses.
•  Cellaring Tips: Store bottles horizontally in a cool, dark, and still environment. Aim for 10–12°C with steady humidity for long-term ageing.

Understanding Vintage Years

Not every harvest in Champagne is declared as a vintage. Only years with exceptional growing conditions and fruit quality are chosen, which makes them worth highlighting for collectors and enthusiasts. While many years can produce excellent wines, a few stand out as benchmarks for their distinctive style and ageing potential:

• 2015: A warm, sunny season that yielded ripe, generous fruit and bold, expressive wines.
• 2013: A later harvest brought cooler conditions, giving high acidity and freshness. These are structured Champagnes built for long cellaring.
• 2012: Universally regarded as a legendary year. Wines combine richness, balance, and remarkable potential for ageing.
• 2008: A cool, classic vintage that produced precise, linear Champagnes with tension and clarity. Considered one of the most iconic modern years.

Vintage Champagne Questions, Answered

What grapes are in Vintage Champagne?
The blend typically includes Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir and Meunier bring structure and depth, while Chardonnay adds freshness and finesse.

Why is Vintage Champagne more expensive?
It reflects the rarity of an exceptional harvest, the cost of extended ageing, and limited production. Less than 5% of Champagne made each year is vintage.

When is the best time to drink a Vintage Champagne?
Many are ready on release, but the true character develops over time. Great vintages can age gracefully for 10, 20, or even 50 years.

What is the best way to cellar Vintage Champagne?
Keep bottles stored horizontally at a steady 10–12°C, away from light, vibration, and temperature fluctuations.

What is the difference between Vintage and Non-Vintage Champagne?
Vintage is from a single exceptional year, while Non-Vintage blends multiple years for consistency of house style.

Which vintages should collectors look for?
Recent benchmarks include 2015, 2013, 2012, and 2008 — each offering distinctive character and ageing potential.

The Kent Street Cellars Edit

Kent Street Cellars curates Vintage Champagne with care, from legendary names like Dom Pérignon, Krug, and Louis Roederer to grower-producer releases with cult followings. Whether you are seeking bottles for the cellar, gifts that impress, or a rare vintage to open now, our range brings together the best expressions of Champagne’s most exceptional years. With same-day delivery in Sydney and fast, secure shipping nationwide, every bottle arrives ready to celebrate.