Vintage wines aren't the be all and end all of a great date, however, knowing your Chablis from your Sauvignon will make you stand out in your date's mind! Vintage wines don't have to be jaw-achingly expensive. Going for something special or exotic should do the trick.
1 Faustino I
As far as vintage wines go, this has to be one of my favourites. The bottle changes from year-to-year. So does the price for that matter, but it still isn't scarily expensive. This Rioja comes from the Basque area of Spain. The vineyard isn't one of the country's oldest by any means, but it is one of its best!
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2 Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn Otago 2010
The French aren't the only major wine producers who are good at making Pinot Noir. It turns out there are some great vintages made in New Zealand also. This one will set you back by about twice as much as Faustino I, if price trends continue. It comes from one of New Zealand's gold mining areas. The 2010 vintage is especially special, as it came following a particularly hard winter at the vineyard.
3 Domaine Niero Condrieu Les Ravines 2010
Okay, I find white wine sort of painful. I love it at the time, but whether I have one small glass or several large ones, it ALWAYS gives me a headache the next day! That being said, Domaine Niero Condrieu Les Ravines 2010 is absolutely worth it. This vintage was produced from just 100 hectares of successful vines. As such, it is a little bit special. It is very citrusy, so try serving it with fish.
4 Silverado Chardonnay Carneros California 2010
I understand that there are a lot of U.S. readers, so I wanted to find a vintage that I know will be accessible to you. Slight confession: I am yet to try this. However, I have been assured that the vineyard's claims of peachy tones absolutely hold true! This makes this Californian vintage nice and delicate. Great for a picnic, maybe? Or, even better, a barbecue!
5 Calloway Crossing Cabernet Shiraz 2012
Although this is a fairly recent vintage, it packs some serious punch. If you and your date love meat, it will work well. While the Silverado is a great white for barbecues, this Calloway is a fantastic red. Thanks to South Eastern Australia's climate being complex, this wine is too. The prices on this one are likely to climb quite fast, so snap it up while you can.
6 Campora Toscana IGT 1999
This is a great classic Bordeaux blend that comes all the way from Tuscany. As far as wine goes, France usually leads the way, but Italy isn't far behind. After being bottled, this wine rests for two years. Only then is it served to the public. While this wine is the oldest on this list, it is also one of the more affordable vintages!
7 Montecastro Reserva 2008
The vineyard that produces this wine is actually quite young. In fact, it only started out in 2000. However, it is one of the top 15 wineries in Spain! It is very oaky and packed with berries. It is just the type of wine that converted me from rose!
When you choose a vintage wine, try to know a little about its background. Introducing it a little is a great way to look as though you know your stuff. Personally, taste alone works well for me, but other dates might be different! If you have a vintage wine you love, what is it and why?
