What is Cuvee Wine? (10 Best Bottles to Buy in 2024)
Ever wondered what the word “cuvee” means on a wine bottle?
The term cuvee wine on a wine label has several connotations, including that the wine is a blend - often blended in a tank. (Cuvee is a French word meaning a vat or a tank.)
Let’s discover what the French term cuvee means in different contexts and 10 of the best cuvée wine bottles to buy in 2024.
Further reading
- Want a delicious bubbly? Check out our guide to Sparkling Wine, including 10 Vibrant Bottles.
- Or, if you prefer an enticing red wine, discover The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Wines, with tasting notes and food pairing suggestions.
What Does Cuvee Mean On A Wine Bottle?
Here are some of the common indications of the French term cuvée on a wine label:
1. First Press Juice
Champagne makers often use the term cuvée to describe wines produced from the first pressing of a particular harvest. Instead of the words “first press juice” on the label, you’ll see the term cuvée.
This first pressing of the fruit is a very gentle process producing high quality grape juice, thought to have a purer flavor. During the wine production, only the first 2,050 liters of grape juice from 4,000kg of grapes are used.
2. A Superior Blend
Sometimes winemakers use the term cuvée to refer to a superior or special blend.
On the bottle, you may see the words “prestige cuvée,” “cuvee speciale,” “prestige Champagne,” or “tête de cuvée” to indicate a higher quality. This special blend is usually the top wine that a winemaker produces.
3. A Specific Wine Blend
Outside of the Champagne region, the term cuvee on wine labels usually refers to a specific blend of wines (wine batches fermented separately and blended later on.)
These wines are generally produced with grapes from various vineyards and harvests that are blended together in specific quantities.
These blends can be made up of a single grape variety or multiple varieties.
4. A Blend of Different Grape Varieties
In certain regions, cuvée specifically refers to a wine produced from a combination of two or more grape varieties rather than from a single grape variety.
For example, if the wine is produced with 70% Chenin Blanc and 30% Pinot Noir grapes, the winemakers can add the term cuvée on the wine label.
Note: It’s important to remember that since the term cuvée is unregulated, its appearance on a wine label doesn’t guarantee a superior quality wine.
10 Best Cuvee Wines to Buy in 2024
Here are our picks for the best Cuvee vintages (including tasting notes):
- 2002 Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne
- 2019 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Musigny Grand Cru 'Cuvee Vieilles Vignes'
- 2002 Jean Milan Sélection Terres de Noël Brut
- 1999 Pierre Peters Cuvée Spéciale Brut
- 1997 Champagne Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut
- 2019 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 'Cuvee Vieilles Vignes', Cote de Nuits
- 1993 Dom Perignon Oenothèque
- 2008 Salon Cuvee 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
- 2018 Cabalie Cuvee Vieilles Vignes, IGP Pays d'Oc
- Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne
1. 2002 Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne, France ($355)
Here we have a deliciously rich Brut Champagne with brioche, apple, and citrus flavors, delightful acidity, and a beautiful almond finish.
2. 2019 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Musigny Grand Cru 'Cuvee Vieilles Vignes' ($1222)
This indulgent red wine is impressively smooth with earthy aromas and divine raspberry, cherry, plum, and spice notes.
3. 2002 Jean Milan Sélection Terres de Noël Brut ($100)
This layered dry Champagne is characterized by a refreshing acidity, fruit aromas, and lovely hints of green apple and toasted almonds.
4. 1999 Pierre Peters Cuvée Spéciale Brut ($520)
Here we have a beautiful apple, honeysuckle, and citrus-flavored dry Champagne with a delightful bouquet of tree fruit and subtle earthy notes.
5. 1997 Champagne Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut, France ($431)
Here’s a smooth, dry sparkling wine with intense peach and pear aromas, followed by delicate honey and almond flavors.
6. 2019 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 'Cuvee Vieilles Vignes', Cote de Nuits, France ($585)
This delicious non sparkling wine is sure to impress with cherry and red fruit flavors and notes of dark chocolate, spice, and toasted almonds.
7. 1993 Dom Perignon Oenothèque ($771)
Here’s an aromatic bubbly from the legendary Dom Perignon Champagne House. This great wine has a pure fruity character, layered texture with pineapple, apple, and plum notes.
8. 2008 Salon Cuvee 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne, France ($3,117)
This is a beautiful gold-colored sparkling wine with citrus, honeysuckle, and mineral aromas. The palate of this cuvée Champagne is superbly smooth with crisp green apple notes and a citrus flavor.
9. 2018 Cabalie Cuvee Vieilles Vignes, IGP Pays d'Oc, France ($28)
Here’s another delicious non sparkling wine with cherry notes, hints of chocolate, and an impressive, long finish.
10. Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne, France ($220)
Here we have a gorgeous balanced cuvee Champagne with fine, lingering bubbles and an elegant floral aroma. This great wine has delicious apple, lemon, and grapefruit notes leading to a lovely, long finish.
Add A Classy Cuvee Wine To Your Collection
A delicious bottle of cuvee wine like a prestige cuvee or a tête de cuvee will definitely add glamour to your special occasion! Whether you prefer still or sparkling, red or white wine, you’re sure to find a cuvee you’ll love.
And if you’re a fine wine enthusiast keen on investing in wine, why not sign up with Vinovest today and discover some of the best cuvees from France, Napa Valley, and other famous wine regions around the world?
