Vintages Champagne Flashcards
What are the worst recent vintages in Champagne?
2021 - frost, rain, disease, pests - variable
2017 - hot and humid (rot, botrytis)
2011 - early, problematic harvest
2010 - late, lots of disease pressure
2007 - rot, low ripeness, high acid
2005 - erratic weather, low acidities
2001 - rot and underripeness
1997 - lean and tart
What are the worst vintages for Champagne historically (90’s)?
1994 - very rainy
1991 - frost, rain, and rot
What are the best vintages so far of the 2020’s?
2020 - heat and drought, lower yields, but GOOD quality
What are the best Champagne vintages of the 2010’s?
2018 - RIPE, GENEROUS - lower acidities, BUMPER
2015 - RIPE, HEALTHY - driest and sunniest on record
2013 - cool spring, late harvest, some hail - CLASSIC
2012 - EXCELLENT - low yields from frost and hail
What is the worst vintage so far of the 2020’s?
2021 - frost, rain, disease, pests - LOW yields, VARIABLE
What are the worst Champagne vintages of the 2010’s?
2017 - HUMID, ROT
2011 - early, problematic harvest
2010 - late with lots of disease pressure
What are the best Champagne vintages of the 2000’s?
2008 - CLASSIC acidity and ample ripeness
2002 - EXCELLENT
What are the worst Champagne vintages of the 2000’s?
2007 - uneven - some rot, low ripeness, higher acidity
2005 - BAD - variable weather, low acidities
2001 - BAD - rot, under ripeness
What are the best Champagne vintages of the 90’s?
1996 - Firm, structured, ageworthy
1995 - Rich and Balanced
1990 - Ripe, Opulent
What are the worst Champagne vintages of the 90’s?
1997 - LEAN and TART
1994 - Very rainy
1993 - Dilution
1991 - Rain and rot
What are the best historical vintages for Champagne?
1988 - near perfect
1985 - low yields
1982 - bumper year
1979 - superb balance
How was 2022 in Champagne?
Generous crop
How was 2021 in Champagne?
frost, rain, disease, pests - LOW yields, VARIABLE
How was 2020 in Champagne?
heat and drought, lower yields, but GOOD quality
How was 2019 in Champagne?
OK - rot, frost, heat waves - good harvest
How was 2018 in Champagne?
RIPE, GENEROUS - lower acidities, BUMPER
How was 2017 in Champagne?
HUMID, ROT -> Botrytis
How was 2016 in Champagne?
frost and hail, but some quality