When looking for a fine wine to give as a gift to that special person on your list, you may want to consider giving a vintage wine. Contrary to common belief, vintage does not necessarily mean old when it comes to wine. Vintage refers to wine made from grapes that were grown in a particular year and the label is usually dated. These vintage wines are more expensive than run of the mill wines but will make a lovely and memorable wine gift.
Differing countries have varying standards as to what qualifies a wine as a vintage wine. In the United States, a wine must be made from at least 95% of the grapes harvested in that particular year. Other countries can be as low as 75% by volume.
Vintage wines tend to be of exceptional quality as only the best grapes are used in the wine making process. These wines are made in a single batch so the consistency of the vintage is even. Vintage wines are made with the utmost care as wine makers know that they will be judged by the quality of their vintage. Also, very few vintners wish to label an inferior wine with the vintage label as they know this would hurt their wineries reputations.
Wine collectors will love a good vintage wine as they are highly prized parts of collections, especially vintage red wines that increase in value and flavor as they age. Provided they are properly stored, wines can continue to increase in value for many years. This can make vintage wines an investment that often doubles and triples in value.
One thought for a unique gift and investment option combined is to purchase a fine red wine vintage for the birth of a child. Do some research first to be sure that that wine has a good history of aging well. Be sure that the wine is stored properly and you will have a wine that will be likely to be quite valuable when the child is older.
When purchasing vintage wines for a gift, there are some things you should keep in mind. One is that not all vintage wines are meant to be collected or saved. There are some wines that are at their best when drunk young or within months of production. This is perfectly acceptable in a wine gift but you should be aware of this if you are looking for a vintage that will increase in value.
Vintage wine is affected by the grapes grown in that particular year. Some areas have consistent climate and little variations so will produce vintages that will be very similar from year to year. Wines that are produced in colder, more variable climates will often produce vintages that vary greatly from year to year.
A way to personalize your vintage wine gift is to choose your vintage year based on something of significance to the recipient. Giving a couple that was married in 1965 a vintage bottle of wine from that year would be a special and thoughtful anniversary gift. A birth year vintage would make a birthday quite memorable, as well.
