Champagne prestige vintages recognized in Best Old Vintage Awards

The second edition of the Best Old Vintage Awards has announced winners for Champagne vintages 1995, 1996, and 1998. The winners, selected through blind tastings, include Perrier-Jouët (Belle Époque 1998), Charles Heidsieck (Blanc des Millénnaires 1996), and Pierre Gimonnet & Fils (1995).

The results highlight a consistent preference for Chardonnay, grand cru grapes, and reductive vinification styles. While established houses like Perrier-Jouët and Charles Heidsieck maintained their standing from previous awards, the inclusion of Pierre Gimonnet & Fils signifies the growing technical mastery of independent growers in producing long-lived wines.

In the broader market of prestige champagnes, collectors increasingly view exceptional cuvées as investment assets similar to fine art. Notable examples of high-end craftsmanship include Laurent-Perrier’s Grand Siècle, which utilizes multi-vintage blending to achieve balance and complexity.