2018
A year of rebirth, rebellion, and resilience — 2018 brought cultural milestones, environmental reckoning, and a renewed global spotlight on activism and identity.
🗓️ Historic Moments
A globally significant year marked by climate, culture, and transformation:
🇫🇷 France wins the FIFA World Cup in Russia ⚽
🔥 Camp Fire becomes California’s deadliest wildfire
🌐 GDPR changes online privacy laws across the EU
🎬 Black Panther becomes a global box office phenomenon
💍 Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle
🌎 Greta Thunberg launches global climate school strikes
🇺🇸 U.S. midterm elections shift control of the House
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool, wet spring gave way to a hot, dry summer with long ripening.
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew pressure was high early on; July/August heat helped recover yields.
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October.
Reception & Scores: Quality varied by estate, but top performers earned 94–97 points from critics.
Aging Potential: Medium to long; structured reds from the Left Bank, supple Merlot from the Right.
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A warm vintage with abundant sunshine and minimal disease pressure.
Challenges/Highlights: Hail hit parts of Côte de Beaune in July; otherwise, yields were generous.
Harvest Window: Late August to early September.
Reception & Scores: Ripe, aromatic wines praised for balance and approachability.
Aging Potential: Whites: 5–10 years; Reds: 8–15 years depending on structure and domaine.
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Very hot and dry in the south; warm and more humid in the north.
Challenges/Highlights: Northern Rhône faced mildew; Southern Rhône had small but powerful crops.
Harvest Window: Early September to mid-October.
Reception & Scores: Dense, rich wines with serious structure; Northern Syrahs especially age-worthy.
Aging Potential: 12–25 years for top Côte-Rôtie and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
🇫🇷 Champagne (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 68–78°F (20–26°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A dream season — hot, sunny, dry, and generous yields.
Challenges/Highlights: One of the earliest and largest harvests in decades.
Harvest Window: Late August through early September.
Reception & Scores: Rich but precise; ideal for both vintage and reserve wines.
Aging Potential: 15–20+ years for vintage bottlings.
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–86°F (24–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cold winter, wet spring, then hot, dry summer – a classic growing season.
Challenges/Highlights: Consistent weather favored Nebbiolo’s slow ripening cycle.
Harvest Window: October for Barolo and Barbaresco.
Reception & Scores: One of the best of the decade; structured, age-worthy Barolo.
Aging Potential: 15–30 years for top crus.
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–92°F (27–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Rain in spring, but a warm, even summer and dry harvest.
Challenges/Highlights: Downy mildew early on; quality rebounded in summer.
Harvest Window: Late September to mid-October.
Reception & Scores: High-quality Sangiovese with bright fruit and fine tannin.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years for top Brunello and Super Tuscans.
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental/Atlantic | 72–85°F (22–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cold winter, wet spring, warm and dry ripening season.
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew early, but summer saved the crop.
Harvest Window: September to October.
Reception & Scores: Excellent fruit concentration; Ribera particularly strong.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years depending on oak usage and structure.
🇩🇪 Mosel (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 72–84°F (22–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Extremely warm year by German standards; fully ripe Rieslings.
Challenges/Highlights: Low botrytis = fewer noble sweets; dry styles shined.
Harvest Window: August through October.
Reception & Scores: Exceptional dry and off-dry wines with exotic fruit.
Aging Potential: 10–30 years depending on style.
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Consistent warmth with no extreme heat spikes.
Challenges/Highlights: Ideal flowering and veraison; fires occurred post-harvest.
Harvest Window: August (Chardonnay) to early October (Cabernet).
Reception & Scores: Bright, balanced wines with depth and ripeness.
Aging Potential: 10–25 years for structured Cabs and red blends.
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool to Warm Mediterranean | 72–90°F (22–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Long, dry, cool season with little stress.
Challenges/Highlights: Excellent phenolic development and balance.
Harvest Window: Late August through October.
Reception & Scores: Classic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vintage; age-worthy and fresh.
Aging Potential: 8–20 years depending on site and winemaking.
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry, and sunny – a clean, stress-free season.
Challenges/Highlights: High yields; winemakers had to sort for concentration.
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September.
Reception & Scores: Lush, fruit-driven Pinot Noir with freshness.
Aging Potential: 6–12 years for top cuvées.
🇺🇸 Washington State (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 78–92°F (26–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild spring, hot July/August, and a long, cool finish.
Challenges/Highlights: Excellent hang time and acid retention; large crop.
Harvest Window: Early September to mid-October.
Reception & Scores: Standout vintage; ripe reds with poise and structure.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years for Cabernet and Syrah.
🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & McLaren Vale (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean to Arid | 85–100°F (29–38°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Dry winter, hot summer, cool harvest window.
Challenges/Highlights: Early harvest in some areas due to heatwaves.
Harvest Window: Late January to early March.
Reception & Scores: Plush, high-octane reds with powerful fruit.
Aging Potential: 10–15 years for top Shiraz.
🇿🇦 South Africa (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Drought conditions continued; yields down, but quality high.
Challenges/Highlights: Smaller berries = concentration; challenging for some regions.
Harvest Window: February to March.
Reception & Scores: Bold, intense reds with purity.
Aging Potential: 10–15 years for premium bottlings.
🇦🇷 Argentina (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: High-altitude Continental | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Classic, balanced growing season with warm days and cool nights.
Challenges/Highlights: Little rain, healthy fruit; altitude-driven freshness.
Harvest Window: March through April.
Reception & Scores: One of the top Malbec vintages of the decade.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years for high-altitude wines.
🇨🇱 Chile (2018)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 78–90°F (26–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and dry throughout with few climatic disruptions.
Challenges/Highlights: Low disease pressure; consistent ripening.
Harvest Window: March to April.
Reception & Scores: Ripe, clean Cabs and Carménère; highly drinkable.
Aging Potential: 8–15 years depending on style.
