1945- A very small, but very fine vintage which aged extremely well.
1946- Average at best, generally not declared as a vintage year.
1947- A vintage year for most houses, producing very fruity and very long lived wines
1948 – A huge harvest, providing fruit for good quality non-vintage blends, but few houses declared a vintage.
1949- A high quality vintage, producing concentrated yet elegant wines, high acid levels also giving longevity to the blends.
1950-Average year, large harvest mostly used for non-vintage blends, very few houses declared a vintage.
1951- Small below average year, that produced thin, mean, acidic wines, no vintage produced
1952-Excellent vintage- great length and balance and widely declared as a vintage. Well cellared examples can still excite.
1953- Another excellent vintage in a row, ripe concentrated fruit with exceptional balance and harmony
1954- A large harvest of good, medium-weighted fruit which was mostly used for non-vintage blends
1955- Another large harvest that was very much underrated at the time. The wines had excellent fruit and acidity, and evolved well.
1956- Average quality wines, no vintage declarations
1957- After savage spring frosts which decimated the vineyards- a small harvest of ordinary quality. No vintage produced.
1958- Another ordinary vintage, no vintage declared
1959- After a string of poor vintages, this proved to be an exceptional year. Rich, powerful and concentrated wines, that the best examples can still impress today. Universally declared as a vintage
1960-Average year at best, no vintage declared
1961- Difficult conditions at the beginning of the season led to a very tiny crop, the ripening conditions however improved over the course, and were declared a vintage year by most houses, producing rich, full-bodied wines with balancing acidity.
1962- Another small harvest, with cool growing conditions initially that was saved by a very warm September. The vintage wines tended to be fruity, supple and elegant.
1963- Mediocre year, poor weather throughout leading to an average size crop only suitable for non-vintage blends.
1964- An excellent year, with the season showing hot and dry growing conditions that produced ripe, full-bodied wines, that aged very well
1965-A dreadful year where poor vintage conditions led to serious outbreaks of rot- No vintage declared
1966-After serious frosts and hail throughout the growing season, the harvest was saved by excellent weather during the picking, giving elegant, well-balanced wines that most houses declared a vintage
1967- Mostly non-vintage wines produced after the region suffered from damaging widespread winter frosts which was compounded by the development of grey rot
1968- Dreadful year, with heavy spring frosts, followed by hail, then rot, that produced thin, mean wines used for blending at best
1969-The beginning of the season was questionable with heavy rain and variable temperatures leading to mildew. Thankfully good, dry conditions during harvest enabled some vintage wines to be produced- but with slightly higher acid levels than normal
1970- After a cold, wet, start to the season, conditions improved greatly and was to produce the largest harvest on record. Most houses chose to declare the vintage.
1971- An unsettled growing season with violent storms in July followed by hail in August, was saved by a dry and hot September. A very small vintage of stylish, elegant wines that have proved their age-worthiness
1972- Very poor year, extremely wet and major frost damage, giving very average wines –with no vintage being produced
1973-After a very fine growing season, heavy rains during September led to serious rot outbreaks in the vineyard. Some pleasant, lighter wines were produced with marked acidity, which has kept some in good stead
1974-Very patchy year, with difficult conditions throughout, rain set in just before vintage, with the wines being of variable quality. Growers who picked early fared the best
1975-A wet and cold winter led to a late bud-break, followed by a hot growing season, leading to a late harvest of ripe healthy grapes, showing excellent fruit and acidity.
1976- A drought year with record heat levels across Europe, which led to a very early harvest starting on September 1. It was to be a very large vintage of super ripe fruit, rich, powerful wines but relatively low in acidity. They have held up remarkably well in spite of their acid levels through sheer concentration
1977- Poor weather through summer, led to a late harvest of lightweight wines. No vintage declared
1978- A very small harvest due to poor flowering and the incidence of rot. What few vintage wines were produced were mostly dilute and forgettable
1979- A warm growing season produced a bumper crop of healthy grapes. Although it rained throughout the harvest –sugar and acid levels remained excellent giving wines of character and length, which have aged very well
1980- A cool and late growing season, there were few vintage examples mostly a non-vintage year
1981- A particularly wet vintage, also frost and hail damage in May. A small harvest, mostly non-vintage with a few stylish vintage exceptions
1982-A bumper crop of very healthy grapes were harvested after a season of near perfect growing conditions (even rain during the first week of harvest could not detract from the quality) Classic, long lived wines that have shown well over time
1983-A second bumper crop vintage that harvested near perfect grapes, rich, ripe with perfect balance and length. The wines have proven themselves with age.
1984- Pretty miserable vintage, cold, wet, with little sunshine. Not to be a vintage year
1985- Severe winter temperatures saw the gauge plummet to 25 degrees centigrade which was to destroy about 10% of all vineyards. The weather dramatically improved in the early autumn and although it was to be a very tiny harvest; it was of excellent quality. Almost universally declared these are wine of great balance, length and character that still continue to improve. One of my favourite vintages
1986-Spring weather was poor, however the summer was warm and sunny, but did suffer from sporadic rain . Rot was an issue in certain areas, but with judicious selection some very fine vintage wines were produced
1987- Damp weather throughout summer promoted grey rot in the vineyards; however fine weather during harvest helped give a large crop that was useful for non-vintage blends. The only vintage release I have come across begged a very questionable decision on whether the house should have released it at all.
1988- The first in a trio of brilliant vintages- it was a vintage that required careful selection after some rain at harvest and was smaller than 1987. Powerful, firm wines that were very classic, requiring more time to open than the 89 or 90
1989-The vintage had ideal growing conditions, a hot, dry summer with plenty of sunshine that produced ripe healthy grapes. The 89’s have always been forward, fleshy and seductive. This is not to say that they won’t age- they have simply been a pleasure to drink from the outset
1990-There was some minor frost damage early in the season. The hot dry summer resulted in a second crop which helped replace the affected crops. Sugar and acidity levels were excellent and the vintage was universally declared. They show wonderful harmony and structure and the best examples will continue to develop and improve
1991- Frosts early in the season had caused some concern- then a hot dry summer promised much. 10 days before harvest was to begin, the weather broke causing issues of dilution. There were a couple of vintage releases, but mostly a year for the production of NV’s
1992-This should have been a large harvest of healthy grapes, but it was also a turning point year. Due to the semi-collapse of the market, new restrictions on yield and press fractions had come into force. This resulted in fruit being left on the vine or discarded on the ground. There were some vintage wines made but it was not generally declared.
1993-After good flowering and warm conditions there were high hopes for an excellent vintage. Unfortunately, just as harvest was to begin, the rains hit and continued to pour throughout the whole of vintage- leading to serious issues of dilution. There were few vintage wines, mostly non-vintage material
1994- Like 1993, the year was full of high prospects, however 10 days before harvest, heavy rains hit again-once more dashing growers hopes. Good, decent non-vintage material was produced but it did require careful selection
1995-After the four previous vintages where greatness was promised and then destroyed by rains at vintage time, this harvest was to return smiles to growers faces. A good harvest of healthy fruit for non-vintage blends and some top notch vintage releases
1996- Thought by many to be the best vintage of the last 50 years. Its strength is that the grapes were harvested at optimum ripeness with unusually high sugar levels but also with a high level of acidity to balance (a combination rarely seen) These are terrific, outstanding wines that are worthy of laying down in the cellar. This is the vintage to stock up on –grab whatever is available. I would also recommend that you consume the 99’s before the 98’s and then move onto the 1996’s.
1997- This was the true ‘Indian Summer’ vintage, severe frosts in the beginning of the year; followed by months of very cold, dry weather, which weakened the vines to attacks of mildew. The sun finally appeared in august which halted the mildew, the grapes then proceeded to ripen well, and not a drop of rain fell during the harvest. Some excellent vintage wines have been produced
1998- A contrast between heat waves and bouts of torrential rain. Staggered picking helped growers select for ripe fruit. Quality and quantity of the harvest surpassed expectations with grapes showing good health, sugar and acid levels.
1999-Due to the heavy rain in the autumn of 1998, favoured rapid vegatative growth from budburst to berry set. No Spring frosts, and all varieties flowered at the same time. Summer saw a heavy contrast between heavy rains and heat waves. Good ripeness levels were achieved, some compared the vintage to 1970 or 1983. Many high quality wines were produced.
2000-It was probably too tempting for the marketing departments not to release a vintage with the magic “triple zero” tag. It is however a vintage that was useful for NV blends but perhaps not of the quality for vintage
2001-The worst vintage in living memory- highly unlikely to see any vintage produced (although Jancis Robinson has scathingly reviewed one offender on her web-site)
2002- Generally a warm, dry vintage with a period of showers in both August and September. Both of which were followed by warm dry conditions. Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, winemaker at Champagne Louis Roederer describes the vintage as 'an early-maturing year brought about by dry soil conditions that accelerated ripening.'
2003-The drought year of incredible heat and temperatures across Europe. There was no shortage of ripe material, but acidity levels were low in many cases. Concentration of fruit not an issue but pH levels were high
2004-Early reports suggested an excellent vintage with a wonderful balance of sugars and acidity. very lengthy and desirable wines have evolved from this vintage across many key producers.
2005-Wide ranging and varied conditions ensuring a mixed overall vintage, Positive signs and ripeness was in part ensured with favourably warm weather leading into harvest. Lower than desired Acidities and wines proving to be bolder and bordering on fat/flabby champagnes. Less aging capacity but great drink now styles evolved on release.
2006-An up and down vintage, bright and warm initially, a moderate & cool pattern in August concerned many producers and they were glad to see a warming shift in September. Ripeness was achieved for the most part and good acidity was assured.
2007-Spring was above the averages and hi initial budding was achieved, Summer was inconsistent and damp proving difficult for some to respond, many did however and into harvest saw favourable conditions return leading upto a fair yield. Hi Acid and good balance in wines achieved.
2008-Growers were forced to wait on the warming August and September period, 2008 was gloomy to start however prior to harvest all the elements combined to provide a positive crop.
2009-Early vintage signs were poor, however a quality summer ensued producing a clean crop. pleasurable and approachable champagnes have been produced and fair acid. Many reserves have been replenished.
2010-Selective and taxing times at harvest with disease pressures from heavy spring rains. Some producers faired better than others with lots of attention required bunch by bunch in vineyards. Varied and mixed results for many.
2011-Harvest was driven by early dry heat and then rains in summer. Early harvest ensured achieving ripe and balance was difficult for some
2012-Great vintage overall with short periods of challenging weather early. Flowering early then following Frosts early in the season and storms (hail) effecting overall bunch yields. Weather improved in August delivering extremely good balanced fruit and great overall health in the vineyards. Many Great Vintages champagnes likely to be released.
2013-Likely a declared vintage year, although not a touch on 2012's experiences, Late to harvest (latest in almost 20years) and difficulty in achieving ripeness. Significant damage from summer hail and storms. Other areas of France faired much worse.
2014-Feelings were upbeat regarding the 2014 vintage, good ripeness and acid generally achieved however not all those you may expect are declaring vintage triumphs. Notably the Houses of Krug and Dom Perignon did not declare.
2015-Potential for grand and great vintage champagnes are likely. Low disease/good ripening and dry summer conditions ensured smaller and more intense fruit. Smaller bunches. Vintage year to watch into the future when releases occur.
