Vintage Variation

Have you ever had a wine once, and noticed the next time you had it it was quite different?  It could be because of something called vintage variation, which is how the climate of a particular growing season affects the taste of the grapes, and therefore wine, of that year.  Grapes are a bit like people and prefer a small range of change in their growth, with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  Some wine regions have huge climatic challenges, while others have generally more mild ones.  France, Northern Italy, New Zealand, and Oregon have more fluctuation than California, Australia, and Spain.  The biggest problems can be frost at the beginning of the growing season, or rain at the end.  Intense hail in a place like Burgundy can be disastrous.  The combination of heavy rain and wind can cause “shatter” (Coulore in French), meaning when the flower doesn’t turn into a berry and thus affects yields.  While allowing for the uniqueness of a vintage to express itself, grape farmers work tirelessly to mitigate the extremes, while maintaining their brand’s style.  Climate change has helped some of the most extreme wine regions such as Burgundy and Champagne to have more success at ripening the fruit regularly.  It has also put pressure on warm wine regions, challenging farmers to adapt to different farming practices and harvesting times.  Last year’s cool climate in California, which was a bummer to many humans, produced one of the greatest vintages in years due to its long growing season.  Vintage variation can be both exciting and frustrating, as it creates both an adventure with each year and either highs or lows due to preference.  This is simply something to be open to and journey within the world of fine wine, and not Coca Cola.  Cheers!