What is Vintage Champagne?

Vintage Champagnes :- The most expensive champagnes are undoubtedly vintages. The bottom line is that if you're going in for a vintage, you're going to spend a hell of a lot of money. So what are vintage champagnes anyway? A vintage is one which is made from grapes of a single year, and, under French law, it should be aged at least three years. A non-vintage is made by blending grapes of at least two years. The best vintages are between four and ten years of age. "The Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame, of 1993 vintage, is superb," says Benny, Captain at the Oberoi Bar, "and is the most expensive bottle of champagne at the Oberoi, costing a whopping Rs 20, 000!" Though vintage champagnes are excellent, don't believe that champagne which doesn't cost a lot of money is not good. You get excellent blends (cuvees) in the non-vintage category as well.