The Italy Wine Project

Vintages

Vintage charts

Every rating on this page comes from the consorzio that looks after the wine, and each one links back to where they published it. The short descriptions are my own summaries of their harvest reports. I haven't borrowed anything from a critic's chart.

Only a few Italian consorzi publish a verdict on every year, so those are the areas here. I couldn't find an official series for places like Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Bolgheri or Etna, and I'd rather leave them off than make one up.

A consorzio speaks for its own growers, so read the stars as a way to compare one year with another in the same place. The scales also differ, and four stars in Brunello won't mean the same thing as four in Amarone.

Piedmont

Barolo and Barbaresco

1966 to 2021

The consorzio for Barolo and Barbaresco rated every vintage from 1966 to 2003 on a five star scale, each with a one line note, and it has published a report on every harvest since 1995. The stars and notes below are theirs, translated; the descriptions are my summaries of their reports. I have not found official star ratings for the years after 2003.

BaroloBarbaresco

At a glance

  1. 20035 of 5
  2. 20023 of 5
  3. 20014 of 5
  4. 20005 of 5
  5. 19995 of 5
  6. 19985 of 5
  7. 19975 of 5
  8. 19965 of 5
  9. 19954 of 5
  10. 19942 of 5
  11. 19934 of 5
  12. 19922 of 5
  13. 19913 of 5
  14. 19905 of 5
  15. 19895 of 5
  16. 19885 of 5
  17. 19873 of 5
  18. 19864 of 5
  19. 19855 of 5
  20. 19842 of 5
  21. 19833 of 5
  22. 19824 of 5
  23. 19812 of 5
  24. 19803 of 5
  25. 19794 of 5
  26. 19784 of 5
  27. 19771 of 5
  28. 19762 of 5
  29. 19753 of 5
  30. 19744 of 5
  31. 19732 of 5
  32. 1972No wine
  33. 19715 of 5
  34. 19704 of 5
  35. 19693 of 5
  36. 19683 of 5
  37. 19674 of 5
  38. 19661 of 5

Year by year

  1. 2021
    A snowy winter, then the least rainy season in years, with spring frost damage slight and limited to low Nebbiolo sites. July hail hit parts of the Roero but not Barolo or Barbaresco, and Nebbiolo and Barbera came in with high sugar and notable acidity. Source
  2. 2020
    A dry, mild spring pointed to an early year, then a wet May and June slowed it down and filled the soils. A cool start to September paused ripening before it surged, and Barbera and Nebbiolo came in with excellent sugar and acidity. Source
  3. 2019
    A traditional season about two weeks behind recent years, with heat waves in late June and late July. A hailstorm on 5 September hit two areas around Alba but largely spared Barolo, Barbaresco and Dogliani. Source
  4. 2018
    A long, wet winter and rainy spring, disease pressure in late May and June, then a big crop that needed thinning. A warm, stable summer ripened the grapes on a classic schedule, with moderate alcohol and fresh acidity. Source
  5. 2017
    Hot and very dry, with an April frost limited to valley floors. Cooler nights than in other hot years and a cooler September helped Nebbiolo and Barbera build more colour and tannin than an early vintage usually gives. Source
  6. 2016
    One of the longest seasons in years: a late cold snap delayed budbreak about ten days, and the delay held through a warm summer and a fine September. Healthy grapes and full ripeness, with Nebbiolo picked into mid October. Source
  7. 2015
    A snowy winter, an early season and July peaks around 40 degrees, with no water stress thanks to winter reserves. Among the healthiest vintages in years, though growers had to keep bunches shaded from sunburn. Source
  8. 2014
    One of the hardest seasons to manage in years, with violent, very localised summer downpours and heavy disease pressure that cut the crop. A fine September and October with wide day and night swings brought pleasant surprises in quality. Source
  9. 2013
    A late, wet spring left the season about 15 days behind, and the last Nebbiolo came in early November. A warm, calm September and October rescued it; where the vineyard work was right, the consorzio expected long lived wines and an excellent vintage. Source
  10. 2012
    February frost down to minus 15 degrees, a wet spring and poor fruit set, then a hot, dry summer peaking at 38 degrees. Winter snow and spring rain kept water stress away. Source
  11. 2011
    Very early, running about two weeks ahead after a hot April. A very hot August cost the grapes weight, especially on south facing slopes, and uneven ripening made the picking date critical. Source
  12. 2010
    A long, cold winter and a rainy start to summer put ripening back on a classic timetable. Warm days and cool nights through September built colour and tannin, rewarding the best sites. Source
  13. 2009
    A snowy winter and a wet spring left water in reserve for a rainless, hot summer. Ripening came early and uneven, with plenty of sugar and low malic acid, and the consorzio thought it could rank among the best recent vintages. Source
  14. 2008
    A hard year of downy and powdery mildew from mid May through July, with hail and wind in places, cutting yields 10 to 15 percent. More than fifty dry, mild days from late August saved the late varieties, and the consorzio thought Nebbiolo could reach excellence. Source
  15. 2007
    A very mild winter pushed flowering about 20 days early, and picking for sparkling bases began around 20 August. Healthy grapes, yields down 10 to 15 percent, and high sugar in Nebbiolo and Barbera. Source
  16. 2006
    A cold, snowy winter and a hot, very dry summer until mid September storms dropped three to five times the month's normal rain in four days. The parched soils absorbed it, and the early and mid season varieties did especially well. Source
  17. 2005
    A changeable year, with heat in June and late July and a cooler August, then warm September days and cool nights. Early October rain came after most Barolo was picked; the consorzio put the year at 8 out of 10, with about 10 percent less wine than 2004. Source
  18. 2004
    Winter and spring rain refilled the soils after 2003, powdery mildew was the worry in July, and a mild summer left ripening ten days behind. A sunny, dry September into October brought in healthy grapes of higher quality than anyone expected. Source
  19. 2003

    “Full bodied, elegant wines”

    Record heat and almost no rain: by the end of August the vines had banked as much warmth as a normal year does by late September. Some sunburn on exposed bunches, high alcohol and good acidity. Source
  20. 2002

    “Wines of good breadth and harmony”

    A cool, rainy year with September hail broke a long run of warm vintages and cut yields hard. Growers had to sort out rot, and the consorzio still rated late picked Nebbiolo good, with some very good results. Source
  21. 2001

    “Very harmonious wines with good structure”

    A frost of minus 5 degrees on 15 April hit vineyards that had never frozen before, followed by a hot, dry August. Quality came close to 2000, with slightly lower sugar in the later varieties and about 10 percent more wine. Source
  22. 2000

    “Splendid wines for structure and harmony”

    A mild winter and a wet spring, then a long sunny spell from mid August to mid September. Nebbiolo came in with high alcohol, deep colour and firm structure. Source
  23. 1999

    “Broadly structured, full bodied wines”

    A bigger crop than the two years before. Mid September rain slowed picking without harm, then high pressure to mid October finished Nebbiolo with deep colour and structure; the consorzio counted it a fifth great year in a row. Source
  24. 1998

    “Wines of great structure, long lived”

    Hotter still than 1997, with a summer nobody could remember matching. Clean grapes with slightly less sugar than 1997, better in Nebbiolo and Barbera than in the early varieties, and about 10 percent less wine. Source
  25. 1997

    “Broadly structured, full bodied wines”

    Dry and warm from late January through September, with budbreak 20 to 30 days early. An excellent, dry September brought in ripe, healthy grapes. Source
  26. 1996

    “Wines of excellent structure and ample perfume”

    A snowy winter and a changeable summer, then a warm, dry, breezy first three weeks of September. The consorzio's analyses came close to 1990, and even Nebbiolo showed unusually deep colour. Source
  27. 1995

    “Wines of good structure and elegance”

    A small but good crop. An unsettled flowering and violent August hail cut yields, then a dry October rescued the late ripening Nebbiolo and Barbera. Source
  28. 1994

    “Delicate wines of modest structure”

  29. 1993

    “Wines of good structure and breadth”

  30. 1992

    “Delicate wines, not very broad”

  31. 1991

    “Fairly elegant wines, short lived”

  32. 1990

    “Excellent wines for breadth and elegance”

  33. 1989

    “Splendid wines for structure and harmony”

  34. 1988

    “Wines of great breadth and elegance”

  35. 1987

    “Wines of fair structure and longevity”

  36. 1986

    “Wines of good structure and longevity”

  37. 1985

    “Great, elegant, long lived wines”

  38. 1984

    “Delicate, harmonious, elegant wines”

  39. 1983

    “Wines of good breadth and harmony”

  40. 1982

    “Wines of great structure, long lived”

  41. 1981

    “Average wines with no high points”

  42. 1980

    “Wines of good fullness and harmony”

  43. 1979

    “Very harmonious wines with good structure”

  44. 1978

    “Great, broad, persistent wines”

  45. 1977

    “Lean wines that did not hold up over time”

  46. 1976

    “Average wines with no high points”

  47. 1975

    “Delicate, pleasant wines”

  48. 1974

    “Wines of good structure and persistence”

  49. 1973

    “Wines of medium breadth and harmony”

  50. 1971

    “Splendid wines for harmony and structure”

  51. 1970

    “Wines of great breadth and persistence”

  52. 1969

    “Well structured, balanced wines”

  53. 1968

    “Medium weight, pleasant wines”

  54. 1967

    “Wines of excellent structure, very perfumed”

  55. 1966

    “Average wines with no high points”

Sources: Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, vintage ratings 1966 to 2003 (archived copy); Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani.

Tuscany

Brunello di Montalcino

1945 to 2025

The Brunello consorzio has rated every vintage since 1945 on a five star scale, It now rates each vintage when the wine reaches the market, so the most recent years have no stars yet. The descriptions are my summaries of the consorzio's own harvest announcements, and exist only for the years it described.

Brunello di Montalcino

At a glance

  1. 2025Not yet
  2. 2024Not yet
  3. 2023Not yet
  4. 2022Not yet
  5. 2021Not yet
  6. 20205 of 5
  7. 20195 of 5
  8. 20184 of 5
  9. 20174 of 5
  10. 20165 of 5
  11. 20155 of 5
  12. 20143 of 5
  13. 20134 of 5
  14. 20125 of 5
  15. 20114 of 5
  16. 20105 of 5
  17. 20094 of 5
  18. 20084 of 5
  19. 20075 of 5
  20. 20065 of 5
  21. 20054 of 5
  22. 20045 of 5
  23. 20034 of 5
  24. 20022 of 5
  25. 20014 of 5
  26. 20003 of 5
  27. 19994 of 5
  28. 19984 of 5
  29. 19975 of 5
  30. 19963 of 5
  31. 19955 of 5
  32. 19944 of 5
  33. 19934 of 5
  34. 19922 of 5
  35. 19914 of 5
  36. 19905 of 5
  37. 19892 of 5
  38. 19885 of 5
  39. 19873 of 5
  40. 19863 of 5
  41. 19855 of 5
  42. 19841 of 5
  43. 19834 of 5
  44. 19824 of 5
  45. 19813 of 5
  46. 19804 of 5
  47. 19794 of 5
  48. 19784 of 5
  49. 19774 of 5
  50. 19761 of 5
  51. 19755 of 5
  52. 19742 of 5
  53. 19733 of 5
  54. 19721 of 5
  55. 19713 of 5
  56. 19705 of 5
  57. 19692 of 5
  58. 19683 of 5
  59. 19674 of 5
  60. 19664 of 5
  61. 19654 of 5
  62. 19645 of 5
  63. 19633 of 5
  64. 19624 of 5
  65. 19615 of 5
  66. 19603 of 5
  67. 19593 of 5
  68. 19584 of 5
  69. 19574 of 5
  70. 19562 of 5
  71. 19555 of 5
  72. 19542 of 5
  73. 19533 of 5
  74. 19523 of 5
  75. 19514 of 5
  76. 19504 of 5
  77. 19493 of 5
  78. 19482 of 5
  79. 19474 of 5
  80. 19464 of 5
  81. 19455 of 5
  • 1 Poor
  • 2 Fair
  • 3 Good
  • 4 Excellent
  • 5 Outstanding

Year by year

  1. 2022
    No rating published yet
    By early August the vines were showing stress from heat and drought, until 75 to 80 mm of rain restored them, with no disease pressure. This is from the consorzio's mid season report; the vintage has no stars yet. Source
  2. 2016
    A rainy spring and a balanced summer, then an autumn of hot days and cool nights that gave the grapes acidity, colour and fragrance. One consultant compared it to 2010 and 2015. Source
  3. 2015
    Warmer and drier than average with few heat waves, and cool, dry weather at harvest. Very healthy grapes and deeply coloured musts. Source
  4. 2014
    A cold, rainy summer made it a hard vintage, and strict selection of healthy grapes was essential. The consorzio described elegant, balanced wines better for drinking with pleasure than for very long ageing. Source
  5. 2013
    A rainy spring and early summer, then a sunny, breezy September and October and a late harvest the consorzio called twentieth century style. It expected elegant wines suited to long ageing, and about 10 percent more wine than 2012. Source
  6. 2012
    A cold, snowy winter and a very hot, dry summer, relieved by rain in early September. Picking ran from 17 September to 10 October with good acidity, for structured, deeply coloured wines built to age, and 14 percent less wine. Source
  7. 2011
    An early, warm spring followed by May and June rain, then an August heat wave that dried some grapes and pushed the harvest about 15 days ahead of normal. Picking early balanced the heat. Source
  8. 2010
    A cool, wet spring delayed budbreak and hurt flowering, trimming the crop by about 10 percent, and veraison ran ten days late. Stable summer weather let Sangiovese catch up, and the wines showed polyphenols and colour rarely seen in the grape. Source
  9. 2006
    When these wines reached the market in 2011, the consorzio called 2006 one of the greatest vintages ever. Source
Sources: Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, vintage ratings.

Tuscany

Chianti Classico

2010 to 2023

The Chianti Classico consorzio publishes an account of every harvest since 2010, and does not attach star ratings to most of them, so this chart is descriptions only. The one exception is 2018, when it gave an early estimate of 4 out of 5. The descriptions are my summaries of the consorzio's reports.

Chianti Classico

  1. 2023
    A wet spring brought downy mildew to some vineyards, though altitude and ventilation kept it in check and it cost quantity more than quality. Picking returned to a traditional timetable, from about 20 September. Source
  2. 2022
    No spring frost or hail, steady heat without extreme peaks, and rain in mid August that eased the drought. The Sangiovese harvest started early, around 10 September, for balanced wines with ripe, sweet tannins. Source
  3. 2021
    Spring rain built reserves for a dry summer, a cold spell after Easter briefly held back the coolest areas, and there was no fungal pressure. Cool nights from late August finished ripening, with Sangiovese picked from about 20 September. Source
  4. 2020
    A cool spring, then a long, hot summer with cool nights and no water stress thanks to rain in June and September. Frost in early April cut the crop by at least 10 percent. Source
  5. 2019
    A cooler, wetter first half of the year delayed the season in a rhythm the consorzio compared to the great vintages of the 1980s. An even summer and a fine September with big temperature swings brought perfect ripeness. Source
  6. 2018
    About 4 of 5 (early estimate)
    Early budbreak, a rainy May, then a good summer with scattered rain and a sunny September with wide day and night swings. A return to normal quantity, and an early estimate of 4 out of 5 from the consorzio. Source
  7. 2017
    One of the driest years in decades, with late frost and heat peaks in July and August until light rain in early September. The smallest crop in 40 years, about 27 percent down, with vivid, deeply coloured wines. Source
  8. 2016
    A regular year with no disease problems; dry weather at veraison was eased by rain in late August and early September. Steady heat without peaks and cool nights pointed to aromatic wines with very good acidity. Source
  9. 2015
    Regular weather throughout: a mild spring, then a hot, dry July and August balanced by cool nights. The consorzio called it excellent, with grapes of impeccable quality. Source
  10. 2014
    Frequent heavy rain and cool spells made it one of the most troubled harvests on record in central and northern Italy. A fine September and early October let Sangiovese ripen fully by mid October, for elegant, fresh wines. Source
  11. 2013
    A wet first half of the year and a late flowering, then a normal summer and a perfect September. Grape quality above average, and balanced wines without excessive alcohol. Source
  12. 2012
    Drought and one of the hottest summers in years, until rain at the end of August and in early September restarted ripening, especially for the late Sangiovese. About 16 percent less wine. Source
  13. 2011
    A mild spring with useful rain around late May and early June, then a very hot, dry August and wide day and night swings in September. About 10 percent less wine, with excellent acidity and crunchy tannins. Source
  14. 2010
    A proper winter and a cool, rainy spring delayed flowering, and ripening stayed slow through a cooler than average August and September. Careful vineyard work brought in healthy grapes. Source
Sources: Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, harvest reports.

Veneto

Amarone della Valpolicella

1983 to 2016

The Valpolicella consorzio rates each Amarone vintage on a five star scale, and its published table runs from 1983 to 2016. Five of those years carry an extra E after the stars, which the table does not explain, so I show it as printed. I have not found an official table for later vintages, and the consorzio publishes no descriptions to go with the stars.

Amarone della Valpolicella

At a glance

  1. 20165 of 5
  2. 20155 of 5E
  3. 20142 of 5
  4. 20134 of 5
  5. 20124 of 5
  6. 20115 of 5
  7. 20104 of 5
  8. 20095 of 5
  9. 20084 of 5
  10. 20075 of 5
  11. 20063 of 5
  12. 20054 of 5
  13. 20045 of 5
  14. 20033 of 5
  15. 20022 of 5
  16. 20013 of 5
  17. 20005 of 5E
  18. 19993 of 5
  19. 19985 of 5
  20. 19975 of 5
  21. 19962 of 5
  22. 19955 of 5E
  23. 19942 of 5
  24. 19934 of 5
  25. 19921 of 5
  26. 19912 of 5
  27. 19905 of 5
  28. 19892 of 5
  29. 19885 of 5
  30. 19872 of 5
  31. 19863 of 5
  32. 19854 of 5
  33. 19842 of 5
  34. 19835 of 5
Sources: Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, Amarone vintage evaluation in stars, 1983 to 2016 (PDF); Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, vintage history.

Umbria

Montefalco Sagrantino

1975 to 2022

The Montefalco consorzio rates Sagrantino vintages back to 1975 on a five star scale, and since 2017 it has also given each one a score out of 100. The descriptions are my summaries of its notes on each harvest from 2005.

Montefalco Sagrantino

At a glance

  1. 20224 of 5
  2. 20214 of 5
  3. 20205 of 5
  4. 20195 of 5
  5. 20184 of 5
  6. 20173 of 5
  7. 20165 of 5
  8. 20155 of 5
  9. 20143 of 5
  10. 20134 of 5
  11. 20124 of 5
  12. 20114 of 5
  13. 20104 of 5
  14. 20094 of 5
  15. 20085 of 5
  16. 20074 of 5
  17. 20064 of 5
  18. 20055 of 5
  19. 20044 of 5
  20. 20034 of 5
  21. 20022 of 5
  22. 20014 of 5
  23. 20004 of 5
  24. 19994 of 5
  25. 19985 of 5
  26. 19974 of 5
  27. 19963 of 5
  28. 19954 of 5
  29. 19943 of 5
  30. 19934 of 5
  31. 19921 of 5
  32. 19913 of 5
  33. 19905 of 5
  34. 19892 of 5
  35. 19884 of 5
  36. 19873 of 5
  37. 19862 of 5
  38. 19855 of 5
  39. 19842 of 5
  40. 19833 of 5
  41. 19822 of 5
  42. 19813 of 5
  43. 19803 of 5
  44. 19793 of 5
  45. 19782 of 5
  46. 19773 of 5
  47. 19762 of 5
  48. 19752 of 5
  • 1 Poor
  • 2 Fair
  • 3 Fine
  • 4 Excellent
  • 5 Exceptional

Year by year

  1. 2022
    92/100
    A dry winter and a very dry summer from May, with a hot July, then milder mid summer weather with some rain. Sagrantino was picked on its usual schedule and made intense wines that stay balanced.
  2. 2021
    94/100
    A cold winter, early April frost that barely touched Sagrantino and a rainy spring, then a very hot, dry summer that cut yields. Cooler October weather helped, for wines of structure and good acidity built to age.
  3. 2020
    96/100
    A mild, dry winter, a spring cold snap with frost and hail in places, then a wet May and June that stored water for a hot July. A cooler end to August and a dry late September brought in healthy, balanced grapes.
  4. 2019
    95/100
    A slow start after a dry winter, heavy rain in April and May, then heat in late June and early July and useful storms in early September. A dry harvest ran to late October, for balanced, fine wines with bright acidity.
  5. 2018
    92/100
    Cooler than 2017 with no heat peaks, a rainy April and May, and a dry, breezy end to the season into mid October. The consorzio described classic Sagrantino with fine tannins and ageing potential.
  6. 2017
    88/100
    April frost, then a torrid, dry summer, one of the hottest and driest in years, with 40 percent less wine than 2016. Healthy grapes, ripe tannins and slightly low acidity made powerful, warm but balanced wines.
  7. 2016
    A mild, wet winter refilled the soils after 2015, and spring and summer brought heat with well spaced rain. The consorzio called it a classic great vintage, less ready on release but with a long future.
  8. 2015
    A rainy winter, a sunny, breezy spring and a hot, dry summer that made disease easy to control. Autumn rain refreshed acidity before harvest, and the consorzio expected an exceptional vintage.
  9. 2014
    A rainy, cool summer made protecting the vines very difficult, but good weather through ripening and harvest favoured late varieties like Sagrantino. Thinner skins and lower polyphenols than usual, with floral, cherry scented wines.
  10. 2013
    Heavy winter rain and a cool spring slowed the vines and reduced the crop, followed by a normal summer. Late but good ripening, and excellent quality where vineyards were well managed.
  11. 2012
    Very little water all year, spring frosts in April and May, and a hot, dry summer with hot wind in late August. Cool September and October weather completed ripening, and it was an excellent year for Sagrantino.
  12. 2011
    Timely spring rain, then hot, dry weather through summer to mid October for very good, slightly early ripening. Excellent grapes and structured wines with long ageing potential.
  13. 2010
    A warm, wet winter left budbreak 10 to 15 days late, and summer stayed cool until mid August. Warmer weather into October caught up most of the delay; lower alcohol than recent years, and very good results on the best sites.
  14. 2009
    A fairly regular year, with a cool, wet start to summer followed by hot, dry weather into October. Very good overall.
  15. 2008
    A mild, dry winter and a cool, rainy spring delayed the season, and veraison ran about two weeks late. North winds in late September and early October kept the grapes perfectly healthy; excellent, particularly for Sagrantino.
  16. 2007
    Extremely hot, in some ways like 2003, though the consorzio found the wines more balanced and aromatic. High sugar meant long fermentations and wines of big structure.
  17. 2006
    A cold, dry winter, a mild spring, and a cool, wet July and August, then a warm, dry September into October. Very good ripening on warm slopes and less on cool ones, for fine, elegant wines with a little less structure than hot years.
  18. 2005
    A hot, dry season to the end of July, then a cool, wet August to October. The early stress concentrated the grapes and the later cool weather helped aroma, for wines of considerable power.
Sources: Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco, vintage ratings and harvest notes.

Lombardy

Franciacorta

1974 to 2024

Franciacorta's consorzio keeps a history of every harvest back to 1974, and its rating system has changed along the way: words only until 1991, a score out of 5 from 1992, separate quality and quantity scores from 2016 to 2018, and a quantity score only since 2019. Each year shows the rating exactly as the consorzio published it. The descriptions are my summaries of its notes.

Franciacorta

  1. 2024
    Quantity 3 of 5
  2. 2023
    Quantity 5 of 5
    A dry, warm start, then a wet April to June with 19 rainy days in May against an average of nine, and heavy downy mildew pressure. Picking was concentrated in the second half of August, later than it had been for years, for wines of moderate sugar and great freshness.
  3. 2022
    Quantity 3½ of 5
    Very little rain, less than half the recent average in the first six months, and a July far hotter than usual. Two localised hailstorms, very healthy vines, and a smaller crop picked from 1 August.
  4. 2021
    Quantity 3 of 5
    A moderate frost on 6 to 8 April, a wet May, poor fruit set in a cold flowering, then drought until heavy rain and hail on 25 July.
  5. 2020
    Quantity 4½ of 5
    A sunny, dry spring, the coolest June in five years, then a dry, breezy July with wide day and night swings. Harvest began on 10 August.
  6. 2019
    Quantity 3 of 5
    A cold, very wet April and May delayed flowering and caused poor fruit set, especially in Pinot, followed by a very dry June and July. Rain at the end of July eased the water stress, and picking began on 10 August.
  7. 2018
    Quality 4 of 5, quantity 5 of 5
    A normal start, then far more rain than usual from May to July with violent storms. Stable, warm weather from late July ripened a very large crop close to the legal limit.
  8. 2017
    Quality 4 of 5, quantity 1 of 5
    Marked by a frost on the night of 18 to 19 April, an event this late and this severe that happens less than once every forty years, which cost 49 percent of the crop. Vineyards the frost missed had a smooth, high quality season.
  9. 2016
    Quality 4½ of 5, quantity 2½ of 5
    Rain and cold at flowering caused poor fruit set, and May and June were the wettest of the decade, with real losses to downy mildew. A cool August with wide temperature swings produced base wines of good to excellent quality and high acidity.
  10. 2015
    3½ of 5
    The least rainy April to August in years, and a hot July. A short, concentrated harvest from early August, yields 5 to 10 percent below expectations, and wines leaning to structure and complexity.
  11. 2014
    3½ of 5
    A warm March brought an early budbreak, but rain and cold spells from June through the summer slowed ripening and threatened grape health. Strict sorting took yields well below the legal limit.
  12. 2013
    4 of 5
    The coldest, wettest spring in ten years, a cold snap at flowering and a localised grape moth attack. Remembered as the first September harvest in many years, after very slow ripening.
  13. 2012
    4 of 5
    Budbreak spread over weeks, a cool, rainy spring and poor fruit set, then heat from late July that caught up the delay. Picking began around 10 to 12 August.
  14. 2011
    5 of 5
    A warm spring and a cool, rainy summer with warm days and cool nights gave slow ripening and excellent base wines. It was the first time in Italy that an appellation was allowed to set aside reserve wine from a harvest.
  15. 2010
    3½ of 5
    A cold, rainy May and a very wet July delayed the season and tested disease control. Harvest weather was ideal, with good acidity, and the best results came from lean soils and hillsides.
  16. 2009
    4 of 5
    A regular, warm season with timely rain and no water stress or disease. Healthy, crisp grapes with moderate sugar, good acidity and low pH.
  17. 2008
    4 of 5
    A cold, dull spring delayed budbreak about 15 days, and frequent spring rain reduced fruit set. The rest of the season supported the vines well, with very good quality in several areas.
  18. 2007
    4 of 5
    A very mild winter brought budbreak about 20 days early, followed by a regular, slightly cool summer. Long ripening gave good acidity and aroma, with fresh notes from cool nights before harvest.
  19. 2006
    4½ of 5
    A regular spring and a very dry start to summer, similar to 2003, until August rain restored the balance. Stable weather from mid August with night swings of up to ten degrees kept freshness and aroma.
  20. 2005
    5 of 5
    Changeable until flowering, then dry, sunny weather with good day and night swings to the end of August. Good sugar with little loss of acidity; the consorzio called it a great vintage year.
  21. 2004
    4 of 5
    Days never too hot and cool nights preserved aroma, and yields returned to normal after two small crops. Base wines of fine acidity and clearly different character from zone to zone.
  22. 2003
    3 of 5
    Very little rain for nine months and summer heat above normal brought a very early harvest. Excellent grape health, high sugar, lower yields and full bodied wines.
  23. 2002
    3½ of 5
    A harsh, dry winter, poor fruit set in a cold, wet flowering, and a cool, rainy summer with some hail. Below average quantity, with a sugar to acid balance suited to long ageing on the lees.
  24. 2001
    4 of 5
    Cool and wet until fruit set, then hot and very dry from veraison. Clean base wines with intense, fine aromas and an excellent sugar to acid balance.
  25. 2000
    3 of 5
    Cool and dry before veraison, then very hot, dry and windy until picking began on 18 August. An excellent sugar to acid balance and base wines of good body.
  26. 1999
    4 of 5
    A normal season with just two August hailstorms, which did no harm to quality. Base wines with fine perfume, good acidity and complexity.
  27. 1998
    4 of 5
    Slow early growth, a very rainy summer and violent hail before flowering in exposed spots. Low yields that varied widely, and good quality overall.
  28. 1997
    5 of 5. Very good, vintage year
    No damaging weather or pests, a dry, warm spring and a breezy summer that never got too hot. High acidity, good sugar and very fine wines.
  29. 1996
    3½ of 5. Close to very good, vintage year
    A summer that never got too hot, little damaging weather and slightly early ripening. Pleasant, harmonious wines.
  30. 1995
    5 of 5. Exceptional, first DOCG vintage year
    Low yields, a long summer and an early harvest. Fresh wines with structure and persistent perfume, and the first vintage year of the DOCG.
  31. 1994
    4 of 5. Excellent
    Below average yields, a hot, dry summer and a slightly late harvest. Base wines with good acidity and fine perfume.
  32. 1993
    4 of 5. Excellent, vintage year
    A normal crop, early ripening and a dry summer, with the harvest in before heavy rain in the second half of September. Fragrant, fruity, balanced wines. The consorzio publishes the same description for 1992.
  33. 1992
    4 of 5. Excellent, vintage year
    A normal crop, early ripening and a dry summer, with the harvest in before heavy rain in the second half of September. Fragrant, fruity, balanced wines. The consorzio publishes the same description for 1993.
  34. 1991
    Excellent, vintage year
    A fair crop of healthy, ripe grapes, with average temperatures around 22 degrees in the first two thirds of September. Fresh, fruity wines with floral aromas.
  35. 1990
    Exceptional, historic vintage year
    A normal crop of healthy grapes with high natural sugar, and ideal, steady weather all through September. Aromatic, elegant wines.
  36. 1989
    Fair
    A good crop of healthy grapes with high acidity, and well spread rain, slightly heavier in late September.
  37. 1988
    Exceptional, historic vintage year
    A small crop of healthy grapes, and nearly ideal sunny weather around 18 degrees all September for slow, perfect ripening. Wines of marked personality.
  38. 1987
    Good
    A small crop, little rain and September temperatures of 20 to 23 degrees, above the seasonal average. Delicately fresh, savoury wines.
  39. 1986
    Fair
    An abundant crop of fairly healthy grapes, with ideal temperatures and little rain in September. Wines without great character, in the consorzio's words.
  40. 1985
    Excellent
    A normal crop of very healthy grapes, normal temperatures and a little rain in mid September. Harmonious, well structured wines with ripe fruit.
  41. 1984
    Exceptional, historic vintage year
    A normal crop with high acidity, and cool September temperatures of 15 to 16 degrees that gave freshness and elegance.
  42. 1983
    Good
    An abundant crop of very healthy grapes, light rain early in September and long sunny days at the end. Strongly floral wines.
  43. 1982
    Very good
    A good crop of perfectly healthy grapes, and a dry September around 20 degrees with low humidity. Very fine, elegant wines.
  44. 1981
    Very good
    A normal crop, well spread rain and steady temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees through September. Fruity, fresh wines with good balance.
  45. 1980
    Good
    A normal crop of healthy grapes, little rain and September averages of 18 to 21 degrees. Balanced, strongly aromatic wines.
  46. 1979
    Excellent, vintage year
    A normal crop, an early harvest and a dry, cool September. Harmonious, structured wines with persistent aromas.
  47. 1978
    Good
    A normal crop of healthy grapes with good acidity, little rain in late September and ideal temperatures. Delicate, fine, aromatic wines.
  48. 1977
    Fair
    A normal crop with high acidity, heavy rain, and temperatures falling from 22 degrees early in September to 13 at the end. Moderately aromatic wines.
  49. 1976
    Poor
    An abundant crop, too much rain and below average temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees. Short wines lacking finesse.
  50. 1975
    Adequate
    A good crop and a late harvest. Ethereal wines without much persistence.
  51. 1974
    Very good
    A normal crop of healthy grapes, well spread rain, and a warm first half of September turning cooler late. Wines rich in ripe fruit with excellent structure.
Sources: Consorzio per la tutela del Franciacorta, harvest history.