Cuvée (French for "vat" or "blend") refers to a specific batch or blend of wine, often indicating a premium offering. In champagne, cuvée often precedes the wine name (Cuvée Prestige). The term can also denote the first juice pressed (cuvée = best juice). Cuvée is used marketing-wise to suggest quality or special status, though legally it's less regulated than other designations. Prestige cuvées from champagne houses are their flagship bottlings, often commanding premium prices.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR COLLECTORS
Prestige cuvées from top champagne houses are excellent investments, improving magnificently over 20–40+ years. Understanding cuvée tiers helps navigate champagne producers' hierarchies.
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