A rain- and hail-affected vintage made for unusually challengingIt was also one of the coolest vintages on record, according to Bodega Catena Zapata, which had the advantage of restricting the spread of rot and resulted in atypically modest alcohol levels. Overall, though, yields are lower and quality is by no means reliable. Gualtallary is thought to be one of the regions that escaped the worst impact of the excess precipitation. A tricky year for the main region, Mendoza, with warmth and humidity bringing rot, and hail affecting some areas too. The best producers had to be meticulous in their selection, and lesser wines are likely to suffer from the poor conditions. Frost, and January rain made for whites with lighter than usual concentration in 2014, but fine aromatic detail. Reds are similarly fresh and elegant, but are not expected to be hugely long-lasting. Healthy, dry and abundant with a cool spell late in the season prolonging the ripening period for red varieties.

Very promising quality across all regions. Similar to 2011, but with lower yields leading to higher colour, fruit intensity and notable tannin that will require many years of bottle age to resolve. A generally cool, damp year in Argentina. Frost and hail caused some damage too, so careful selection was required to produce the best wines. On the plus side, the coolness made for particular aromatic intensity in white wines. Reds have slightly lower than average alcohol, thanks to a cool ripening season. Fruit was harvested in good health, but quality was not as good as the exceptional 2009s. For some, one of the best vintages of the decade in Mendoza. Winter was mild, spring was dry and summer was warm, with diurnal variation of over 15 ºC (27 ºF). Weather throughout harvest was very dry too, giving fruit in great condition. A very cold winter, a warm spring and a wetter than average autumn. Generally underpowered as a vintage, although reds were marginally better than whites.

Good for white, but difficult for reds in Mendoza, with excessive heat leading to below optimal freshness in the wines. Salta did better, with Torrontés faring especially well. For a very detailed report, see our full report on 2007 in Argentina. A very good vintage, making reds with freshness and plenty of body and fruit power. best bottle of wine for a gift Cool weather meaning a lighter, more aromatic style of wine. top 5 red wine brands in indiaThe long, dry autumn allowed for extended ripening, which allowed for good natural balance.good red wine online india Great concentration in reds, but late rains undermined the Cabernet Sauvignons. Dry and warm, producing healthy fruit that made for typically fruity, deeply coloured reds.

Hotter than average, giving ripe, round tannin with full flavour ripeness. Unremarkable wines, with rain leading to dilution in many examples. A cool vintage, leaving the wines with high acid and fresh fruit.It’s the vintage Washington winemakers have been waiting for—some of the highest-quality wines the state has produced in the last decade, fragrant with the state’s signature generous fruit, but with a core of acid and tannins lending a sense of gravitas. The 2012 vintage, which yielded most of the wines on this extraordinary list, is the result of temperatures that were decidedly—and perfectly—average. In winemaking, that’s a good thing. The year tracked almost perfectly to 20-year historical averages for heat accumulation, after a warm 2009 with an early October frost and growing seasons in 2010 and 2011 that were cool and cooler. Reds from the dazzling 2012 season are more than just fruit forward, immediately appealing wines. There’s a core of acid and tannin that gives them a sense of gravitas and also bodes well for their longevity.

These are wines to open and enjoy now or tuck away in the cellar for the future. And that’s exactly what we need while waiting for the more brooding 2010s and 2011s to strut their stuff. The 2012 vintage was also a great one for whites. Though syrah proved the year’s big star, most varieties rejoiced at the growing season. For the first time, this year’s list contains a separate category for grenache, a fruit-rich grape variety making inroads in the state, though Bordeaux-style blends and cabernet sauvignon continue to be strengths. Overall, the year’s list is more selective and represents a higher level of quality than it ever has before. And now, a toast to this most exceptional, average year. The Top 10 Washington Wines Wines with a Sense of Place Bubbles, Dessert, and Our Methodology In an increasing terroir-orientated wine production, the influences of soil and microclimate, as well as weather conditions and vegetation period are gaining more significance.

It is therefore not surprising, that with an altogether distinctive improvement in the level of quality, the vintages can differ quite considerably from year to year.Do you remember the fabulous and unforgettable year 2011, right? Proudly we had six Portuguese wines, including three in the top 10 in the first four places, by the prestigious North American magazine Wine Spectator on the “Top 100 Wines of 2014", five of which were from 2011 vintage. Strangely 2015 was a year of great production but also of great quality and for some companies, harvesting after the rain it was the best decision, because the grapes were with right balance of alcohol and acidity. The vines didn't have plenty of water reserves but at least Summer was not being too severe, and even more important, overnight temperature in August was as low as 12ºC. It was a dry year, with a cold, dry winter, a spring that brought warmer temperatures and a summer cooler than normal with optimal fresh nights for the acidity of the grape, who looked good, great and without disease.

In a small family company the harvest is made by friends, approximately for one month, where the white wines are the first to be made and then the red ones. There is a high level of demand, hard work, but in the end everyone joins to eat the traditional onion soup and other delicious foods, drink, share stories and laughter and having fun. The winemaking is coupled between craft means with some technology that allows us a greater longevity of the wines. Of course, as in all other wine regions, the different grape varieties had different ripening times, what hinders a little the whole logistics of harvesting and winemaking. In Bairrada region after a dry warm year and a little bit of rain, it helped the grapes achieving full maturation, with good flavors and low acidity. On the white wines they are rich and naturally complex and fresh and varietal notes in the reds, Baga grape achieved good ripening. Vinhos Verdes region had a dry year, with lots of rain close to harvest dates.