nonvintage

Nonvintage, often abbreviated as NV, is a wine labeling term used to indicate that the wine is not the product of a single harvest. Instead, producers blend wines from multiple vintages to create a consistent house style—an approach most commonly associated with sparkling wines, especially Champagne. By combining wines from several years, the producer aims to balance acidity, fruit character, and maturity to maintain the same taste profile across releases.

The practice relies on reserve wines or older lot components kept in cellar or tanks. These components can be blended with younger wines to achieve the desired balance, ensuring that each bottling remains recognizable to consumers even when the weather and yields of individual years vary. While NV is prevalent in sparkling wine production, some still wines are also labeled nonvintage, though far less common, and the term is most closely associated with the sparkling category.

Labeling and regulatory considerations: NV labeling signals a non-specific vintage, with the year omitted on the front label. Regulations for nonvintage wines vary by region; in Champagne, for example, nonvintage sparkling wines are subject to aging requirements and other standards that govern release timing, reflecting the blend-driven approach rather than a single harvest. The NV designation does not denote lower quality; it typically signals a focus on consistency, approachability, and a style intended for broader drinking windows rather than long-term aging potential.

See also: vintage (wine), sparkling wine, Champagne.