Douro and Porto Flashcards
2022
A challenging year. Record-breakingly hot and dry in the three months leading up to the harvest. July was the hottest it had been since 1931 (with a peak of 47 °C/117 °F in Pinhão). As a result of the heat and drought, bunches and berries were small, although later-picked vineyards benefited from rain in mid September and there was little raisining of the grapes. Yields varied by producer/region but were overall more than 10% lower than in 2021. Wines are typically deeply coloured and the best are surprisingly fresh with good structure.
2014
Rain caused significant damage in the first half of the year, then a cool August didn’t help matters. Yields will be low, quality is not remarkable, and vintage declarations are most unlikely. WS 89
2010
Generous winter rains produced a bumper crop, but excessive summer heat diluted flavors and delivered open-textured wines. WS 89
2002
Harvest rains cut quality; some wines still drinkable from top producers, who fared well by harvesting early. WS 81
