What does 'cuvée' mean?
Quick answer
A cuvée refers to a specific batch of wine from a particular selection of grapes, plots, or barrels. In Champagne, the term historically means the first press juice (the purest 2,050 liters from 4,000 kg of grapes), considered the highest quality.
Detailed answer
The word 'cuvée' comes from 'cuve' (vat), the vessel used for winemaking. Originally, it simply meant the contents of a vat. Today, its meaning varies by region and producer.
In Champagne, the regulation is precise: cuvée refers to the first 2,050 liters extracted from 4,000 kg of grapes during pressing. This first juice is finer, more acidic, and more aromatic than the 'taille' (second pressing) that follows. Top houses use exclusively cuvée juice for their prestige bottlings.
In the rest of France and worldwide, 'cuvée' is an unregulated term that generally means a special selection by the winemaker — their best plots, oldest vines, or a particular blend. 'Cuvée Prestige,' 'Grande Cuvée,' or 'Cuvée Spéciale' usually indicate a producer's top tier, but the term carries no legal weight outside Champagne.
| Context | Meaning of 'cuvée' |
|---|---|
| Champagne (regulated) | First press juice (2,050 L / 4,000 kg) |
| Burgundy | Often means plot-specific selection |
| Bordeaux | Specific château blend |
| Commercial use | Producer's premium selection |
| 'Tête de cuvée' | The best lot of a harvest |