The impact of climate on vintages: how does weather influence wine quality ?
Every year, nature leaves its mark on the vineyards. Behind the label of a wine, the vintage (year of harvest) plays a major role in the product's identity. And while some terroirs benefit from regular conditions, the majority of wine-growing regions are subject to climatic variations temperature, sunshine, rain, frost or drought. All these factors influence the quality, structure, maturity and ageing potential of a wine. Here's how the weather shapes a vintage.
1. What is a vintage ?
The vintage refers to thegrape harvest year. It therefore reflects the climatic conditions of that period, from flowering to harvest. Unlike a multi-millennium blend, a vintage wine captures the exact imprint of the wine year.
2. The major climatic stages of a wine cycle
Each phase of the vine cycle is influenced by the weather. These events determine grape quality, which means wine:
a. Spring (March to May)
- Key to flowering and fruit set.
- Major hazards : late frosts, rains during flowering → drop in yield, coulure.
b. Summer (June to August)
- Phase ripening and veraison (change in berry color).
- Need: warmth, sun.
- Risks : drought, heatwave, hailstorms.
c. Autumn (September to October)
- Period of harvest weather influences final maturity.
- Risks: heavy rains, grey rot, loss of sugar/acidity balance.
3. Climatic impact on wine quality
Climatic conditions
|
Effects on grapes
|
Effect on wine
|
Spring cold/frozen
|
Fewer clusters
|
Less yield, more concentration
|
Hot, dry summer
|
Rapid ripening, concentration
|
Powerful wines, rich in alcohol
|
Cool summer
|
Slow ripening, preserved acidity
|
Cooler wines, good ageing potential
|
Rainy autumn
|
Dilution, decay
|
Less expressive wines, unbalanced acidity
|
Ideal conditions
|
Slow, complete ripening
|
Balanced, expressive wines, long potential
|
4. A few emblematic examples
- Bordeaux 2005, 2010, 2016 warm, well-balanced years → powerful, ageworthy wines.
- Burgundy 2014 fresh, taut vintage → great aromatic finesse, good freshness.
- Rhone Valley 2003 extreme heatwave → sunny, sometimes unbalanced wines.
- Alsace 2010 ideal conditions for whites → controlled acidity, superb evolution.
So, with equal terroir, two vintages can produce radically different wines, the result is a wine of great style and ageing potential.
5. Climate change and its impact on recent vintages
With the global warming, we observe :
- Earlier and earlier harvests,
- A higher alcohol content,
- A lower acidity in certain grape varieties,
- A narrowing of the gap between "large" and "small" vintages thanks to regular hot summers.
But it also comes with new challenges for winegrowers :
- Managing freshness in whites,
- Adapt pruning and shading practices,
- Anticipate extreme events (hail, late frost, drought).
6. And what about the consumer? How can you take this into account in your cellar ?
a. Choosing the right vintages for ageing
Some vintages are built to last. It is essential to take this into account when building your cellar, especially for :
- The great Bordeaux and Burgundy reds,
- Sweet wines (which depend on autumn mists),
- Vintage champagnes.
b. Use a cellar suitable for ageing
Once in the cellar, the wine must be kept under stable conditions :
- Constant temperature (12-14°C),
- Controlled humidity (60-75%),
- Protection against light and vibration.
Ageing cellars Climadiff provide the optimum environment for the best vintages to express their full potential their full potential.
Conclusion
Every vintage tells a climatic story. From spring rain to autumn sunshine, everything influences the quality of the grapes and therefore the profile of the wine. For discerning wine-lovers, tracking vintages not only helps to better bottle selection, but alsoanticipate their evolution. Provided, of course, that they are kept in a perfectly controlled cellar.