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
How was 2015 in Champagne?
RIPE, HEALTHY - driest and sunniest on record
How was 2014 in Champagne?
damp August, dry September - OK
How was 2013 in Champagne?
cool spring, late harvest, some hail - CLASSIC
How was 2012 in Champagne?
EXCELLENT - low yields from frost and hail
How was 2011 in Champagne?
BAD - early, problematic harvest - underripe and rain
How was 2010 in Champagne?
late with lots of disease pressure
How was 2009 in Champagne?
plump, generous - GOOD summer
How was 2008 in Champagne?
CLASSIC acidity and ample ripeness
How was 2007 in Champagne?
uneven - some rot, low ripeness, higher acidity
How was 2006 in Champagne?
supple, expressive wines - drink young
How was 2005 in Champagne?
BAD - variable weather, low acidities
How was 2004 in Champagne?
BALANCED
How was 2003 in Champagne?
OVERRIPE - better for PN
How was 2002 in Champagne?
EXCELLENT
How was the 2001 vintage in Champagne?
BAD - rot, under ripeness
How was the 2000 vintage in Champagne?
tough season, but fine AUG / SEP - drink young
How was 1999 in Champagne?
lower acidity
How was 1998 in Champagne?
Balanced
How was 1997 in Champagne?
LEAN and TART
How was 1996 in Champagne?
Firm, structured, ageworthy
How was 1995 in Champagne?
Rich and Balanced
How was 1994 in Champagne?
Very rainy
How was 1993 in Champagne?
Dilution
How was 1992 in Champagne?
Very warm year
How was 1991 in Champagne?
Rain and rot
How was 1990 in Champagne?
Ripe, Opulent
How was 1989 in Champagne?
Mostly mature - lower acidities
How is the 1988 vintage in Champagne?
EXCELLENT