The Impact of Vintage on Wine

The Impact of Vintage on Wine

The vintage is a key element in the appreciation and understanding of a wine. It is the year in which the grapes used to produce the wine were harvested, and that specific year can have a major influence on the characteristics of the wine. Climatic variations from year to year can cause significant differences in the quality, taste, and aging potential of the wine. An exceptional vintage can transform a good wine into a remarkable wine, while a difficult vintage can pose challenges to winemakers, affecting the harvest and production.

Understanding the vintage effect

In the world of wine, the vintage effect refers to the impact of weather conditions on the quality of the grapes produced. The same wine, from the same plot and the same terroir, can vary from one year to the next due to climatic fluctuations. To understand the importance of the vintage effect, it is essential to return to the basics of viticulture: the growth of grapes, which takes place from March to September, depends on favorable weather conditions, such as sun, heat and water. These factors are crucial for allowing the grapes to reach their optimal maturity, which is reflected in the quality of the wine produced.

Characteristics of a good vintage

A good vintage is distinguished by balanced weather: not too hot, not too cold, not too rainy. However, the definition of a good vintage can vary depending on the type of wine the winemaker wants to produce. For example, for powerful red wines like those from Bordeaux or the Rhone Valley, sunny vintages, rich in heat and sunshine, are often ideal. On the other hand, for dry and fruity white wines, like those from Sancerre or Chablis, cooler vintages can give excellent results.

Types of vintages: an overview

A solar vintage is characterized by a hot and dry year, with low rainfall. These conditions produce grapes rich in sugar, which transform into alcohol during fermentation, giving wines concentrated in ripe fruit aromas. The 2022 vintage, for example, is considered a great solar vintage, both in quality and quantity. Conversely, a cool vintage is marked by lower temperatures and low sunshine. Some grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir in Burgundy or Riesling in Alsace, particularly appreciate these conditions. The 2017 vintage in Burgundy, for example, produced elegant and balanced wines. Finally, a frost-prone vintage is characterized by temperatures below -3°C, which can cause significant damage, as was the case in 2021, when a wave of frost seriously affected French viticulture.

When a vintage goes bad

A bad vintage is often linked to extreme weather conditions. For example, a year that is too cool can prevent grapes from ripening properly, leading to harsh tannins in red wines or excessive acidity in white wines. Conversely, a hot year can cause grapes to ripen too quickly, resulting in highly alcoholic wines with overripe fruit aromas. 2021, marked by a wave of frost followed by rain, remains a memorable example of a bad vintage, with yields significantly lower in regions such as Burgundy and Champagne.

Identify the vintage of a wine

The vintage is generally indicated on the label of a wine, although it is not mandatory. It is almost systematically found on red wines for laying down from Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), such as those from Bordeaux or Burgundy. On the other hand, it is common for wines without a geographical indication, labeled Vins de France, to not display their vintage.

The vintages to favor

For those looking to build a wine cellar, here are some examples of great vintages from the last ten years by wine region in France. In Burgundy, the 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages are particularly notable. In Bordeaux, the 2015 and 2016 vintages are among the best, for both reds and whites. In the Rhone Valley, the 2015 and 2022 vintages stand out for red wines. In Champagne, 2019 and 2015 are exceptional years. In Alsace, the 2019 vintage is known for its elegance, while in Provence, the 2018, 2019, and 2020 years are good choices. Finally, for Languedoc, 2022 is a vintage not to be missed, particularly for the wines of Saint-Chinian, and in the Loire, the 2018 vintage is excellent for the wines of Sancerre, Muscadet, Chinon and Bourgueil.