Cuvée

Cuvée

A selection of cuvée wines

Cuvée is a term used in winemaking to denote a specific blend or batch of wine. The term originates from the French word "cuve," meaning "vat" or "tank," and it is often used to indicate a wine of superior quality or a special blend. Cuvée can refer to both still wine and sparkling wine, and its usage varies across different wine-producing regions.

Usage in Winemaking

In the context of winemaking, cuvée can have several meanings:

• Blending: Cuvée often refers to a blend of wines from different grape varieties, vineyards, or vintages. Winemakers create cuvées to achieve a desired flavor profile, balance, or complexity that might not be possible with a single varietal wine.

• Quality Designation: In some regions, cuvée is used to denote a wine of higher quality. For example, in Champagne, a "cuvée de prestige" is a top-tier sparkling wine made from the best grapes and often aged longer than standard offerings.

• Batch Identification: Cuvée can also refer to a specific batch of wine from a single fermentation tank or vat. This usage is common in regions where wines are produced in large quantities and need to be identified by their production batch.

Cuvée in Sparkling Wine

In the production of sparkling wine, particularly in the Champagne region of France, the term cuvée has a specific significance. The initial blend of base wines, which will undergo secondary fermentation to become sparkling wine, is called the cuvée. This blend is crucial as it determines the final characteristics of the sparkling wine, including its flavor, aroma, and effervescence.

Cuvée in Still Wine

For still wines, cuvée can indicate a special blend or a wine made from select grapes. Many winemakers use the term to market their premium offerings, suggesting a wine that has been crafted with particular care and attention to detail.

Regional Variations

The use of the term cuvée varies widely across different wine-producing regions:

• France: In France, cuvée is commonly used in regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Rhone Valley to denote special blends or high-quality wines.

• Italy: Italian winemakers may use the term "cuvée" to describe a blend, although terms like "Riserva" or "Superiore" are more commonly used to indicate quality.

• United States: In the U.S., cuvée is often used by wineries to label their premium blends, particularly in regions like Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

Related Pages

• Winemaking
• Sparkling wine
• Champagne
• Wine tasting
• Wine blending