Champagne Philipponnat has caused something of a stir by choosing to release two vintages at the same time.

The "unprecedented" move will see Champagne Philipponnat launch the 2001 and 2002 Clos des Goisses later this month, the Drinks Business reports.

However, there is method to the madness, as the two wines are said to be very different, despite being produced on the same stretch of Champagne.

The south-facing Champagne Philipponnat vineyard has an average temperature that is 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the average for Champagne, which allows it to produce a vintage in all but the most difficult years.

Although the harvest of 2001 proved problematic for most of the region, Champagne Philipponnat has managed to create a "buttery" wine that is ready to drink immediately.

By contrast, the 2002 - which is considered one of the best years for Champagne in recent history - is being advertised as a wine for ageing.

Charles Philipponnat told the publication: "Its especially ripe terroir allowed Clos des Goisses to be harvested one week before the rain that eventually wrote off 2001.

"Connoisseurs should buy the 2002 for long cellaring, and will still be able to enjoy an open Clos des Goisses with the 2001."

As well as providing "one for now, one for later", releasing the vintages together is a good advertisement for what makes the estate unique, Mr Philipponnat added.

"Releasing the two vintages together will be a good way to show that Clos des Goisses makes great wines in top vintages, but also, and most importantly, in so-called lesser vintages," he explained.

While Champagne Philipponnat plans to release its two latest vintages at the same time, other Champagne producers are looking to promote some much older wines.

The likes of Krug, Dom Perignon and Louis Roederer are now holding back more of their vintage stock, in order to take advantage of growing interest in library wines.

Leading the way, Moet and Chandon is releasing cases of its 1911 vintage in select markets throughout the world.