"Reserve wine" is a term that is often used primarily in reference to Champagne.
When making champagne, the most recent vintage is often blended with wine from an earlier vintage, and the wine set aside for this blend is called the "reserve wine."
Champagne is a relatively cold region, and it is said to be difficult to maintain consistent grape quality from year to year. However, by adding stored reserve wine, it is possible to produce Champagne of consistent quality every year.
Strictly speaking, the term "reserve wine" is a wine term used in wine tastings other than Champagne. The notation, rules, and meaning vary depending on the country.
Countries that have legal rules include Italy, Spain and Portugal.
| Country/Notation | Main rules |
|---|---|
| Italy/Riserva | The wine must have met a minimum ageing period |
| Spain/Reserva | The wine must have met a minimum ageing period |
| Portugal/Reserva | Meet minimum alcohol standards and be bottled |
On the other hand, in countries such as France, the United States, and Chile, there is no legal rule, but the term is generally used to describe wines that have been aged for longer than normal.
