A good vintage commands higher price

Wait, you may say -- the price for your everyday Sauvignon Blanc has not changed much from last year.

For wines with mass quantity, ex-cellar pricing will not change much each year. The change in the retail price is more affected by the business factors such as real estate pricing or foreign currency exchange rate.

For wines with limited quantity produced in regions where climate fluctuates annually, such as Bordeaux Grand Cru classé or a Burgundy Grand Cru, pricing for different vintages would differ widely. For instance, the price of Lafite 2005 doubles that of Lafite 2004. For illustration, refer to retail price of lafite by vintage.

Vintage is region and grape specific

Climate and vintage are region specific. For example, 2005 is an excellent vintage for Bordeaux reds, but only an average vintage for Champagne and Alsace. On contrast, 2004 is a poor vintage for Bordeaux but a great vintage for Italian Barolo.

Also, it is good to note that different grapes require different growing factors. A good year for red could be a bad year for white in the same region.

Be a smart buyer, know your vintage

A great vintage would cost a lot of money. A poor vintage would disappoint. How do you balance quality and price?

Our vintage wine buying guide breaks fine wine producing regions into 4 categories:

i) Great Vintage: A vintage with perfect grape growing condition. Fine wine will command high prices, go for a second-wine or a second-tiered producer. The odds are in your favor, chances are these wines would be delicous at half the price tags.

ii) Safe Buy: A good year, often over-shadowed by a great year before or after them. These are the safe buys.

iii) Look for Value: An average year or what we call a "producer's year". Grapes may not be perfect, but an experienced master may work magic. Look for quality producers in an average year to save money while getting quality.

iv) Avoid: A poor year with hostile grape growing condition. Probability is most wines would suffer on some dimensions (lacking fruit, acid, or tannin). Best avoid to not waste money.

Last but not least, vintage reveals maturity

It is a common myth that the older a bottle, the better it is (or the more expensive it should be).

There is a best enjoyment period for each type of wine. Most everyday wines are best enjoyed within 3 years of harvest.

When selecting a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, buy the youngest (most recent) vintage. It will give the best enjoyment, with ample fresh fruits and vivacity.

Unless a wine is known for its ageability, be cautious when buying a wine that is mature or approaching "past prime". For more information, visit maturity chart of different grapes.

Time to do some smart shopping and apply your vintage knowledge!