2021
A year of extremes and endurance — across the globe, 2021 was shaped by climate whiplash, testing the resilience of vineyards and vignerons alike. While some regions triumphed with elegance and freshness, others battled frost, fire, and flood in one of the most climatically volatile vintages in recent memory.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🌍 Global supply chain crisis disrupts every industry
🧬 Omicron variant triggers new COVID-19 waves
🗳 Germany’s Angela Merkel steps down after 16 years
🎾 Naomi Osaka sparks global conversation on mental health in sports
🇺🇸 U.S. Capitol insurrection shocks the world on Jan 6
🌪 Deadly European floods devastate Germany and Belgium
🚀 Civilian space flights launch new era of tourism beyond Earth
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 68–78°F (20–26°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and wet conditions dominated, with devastating April frosts and a rainy summer.
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew and rot reduced yields dramatically, especially for Merlot; a rare year where Cabernet Sauvignon often fared better.
Harvest Window: Late and spread out — from late September into October.
Reception & Scores: Mixed reviews; quality producers made lean, elegant wines with moderate alcohol.
Aging Potential: Best wines will age 10–15 years, showing more finesse than power.
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Historic April frost decimated buds; cool, rainy summer followed by a dry harvest saved quality.
Challenges/Highlights: Yields were among the lowest in decades; whites especially hard hit.
Harvest Window: Mid to late September, with many picking early to avoid rot.
Reception & Scores: Surprising precision in the reds; whites are crisp, linear, and delicate.
Aging Potential: 8–15 years for top reds and whites, though less power than 2019 or 2020.
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean (South) / Continental (North) | 72–88°F (22–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A throwback vintage — cooler temps, rain, and slower ripening across both North and South.
Challenges/Highlights: Grenache struggled to ripen fully in the South; Syrah shined in the North.
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October.
Reception & Scores: Fresh, peppery, and savory in the North; mixed results in the South depending on site.
Aging Potential: Northern Rhône reds could age 15–20 years; Southern styles more variable.
🇫🇷 Champagne (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 66–76°F (19–24°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Frost, hail, mildew — everything hit at once. Worst growing season in decades.
Challenges/Highlights: One of the smallest harvests since 1957; quality producers turned to reserve wines.
Harvest Window: Early September.
Reception & Scores: Sharp, high-acid base wines with limited volume; not expected to be a major vintage release year.
Aging Potential: Likely limited to non-vintage blends; vintage bottlings rare.
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 72–84°F (22–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry season with less spring frost impact than other regions.
Challenges/Highlights: Drought stressed younger vines; Nebbiolo ripened beautifully in top sites.
Harvest Window: Mid-October, as usual for Barolo and Barbaresco.
Reception & Scores: Classic-style vintage with structure and aging backbone.
Aging Potential: Top Barolos and Barbarescos may cellar for 20+ years.
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry, especially during late summer, with good diurnal swings.
Challenges/Highlights: Water stress in some vineyards, but no major disease outbreaks.
Harvest Window: Late September through early October.
Reception & Scores: Ripe, bold wines with power and polish.
Aging Potential: Strong structure for aging 15–20 years in top Brunello and Super Tuscans.
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cold winter, April frost, then a warm, dry ripening season.
Challenges/Highlights: Lower yields but good ripeness and acidity.
Harvest Window: Mid-September to mid-October.
Reception & Scores: Vibrant and well-balanced; reds are dark-fruited with fresh structure.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years for top Gran Reservas and Ribera bottlings.
🇩🇪 Mosel (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 64–74°F (18–23°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and rainy summer delayed ripening; botrytis risk loomed late.
Challenges/Highlights: Very small yields; disease pressure made selection key.
Harvest Window: October into early November.
Reception & Scores: Classic acid-driven Rieslings with tension, low alcohol, and minerality.
Aging Potential: Kabinett to Auslese styles will age 15–30 years gracefully.
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Drought conditions persisted; no major heat spikes but overall a very dry year.
Challenges/Highlights: Small berries, concentrated flavors, and no smoke taint (unlike 2020).
Harvest Window: August through early October.
Reception & Scores: Excellent quality; structured, dark, and age-worthy Cabernets.
Aging Potential: 20–30 years for top wines; a collector-worthy vintage.
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Moderate Mediterranean | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Dry and mild, allowing slow ripening and strong concentration.
Challenges/Highlights: Water shortages a concern, but no smoke issues like 2020.
Harvest Window: August–September for whites; through October for reds.
Reception & Scores: Vibrant, intense wines with fresh acidity and color.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years depending on variety and site.
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Record-breaking June heat dome followed by moderate weather through harvest.
Challenges/Highlights: Drought conditions and small clusters = high concentration.
Harvest Window: Mid-September through early October.
Reception & Scores: Richer style Pinots with dense fruit and surprising structure.
Aging Potential: 10–15 years; more opulent than 2019 or 2022.
🇺🇸 Washington State (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A vintage of extremes — a cold spring delayed budbreak, then the record-shattering June “heat dome” tested vineyard resilience. Fortunately, cooler conditions returned, leading to a long, balanced ripening period.
Challenges/Highlights: Early heatwaves caused vine stress in some areas, but limited disease and low yields led to small berries and intense concentration. Winemakers praised the evenness of harvest and fruit quality despite lower volumes.
Harvest Window: Late August through October, depending on site and variety.
Reception & Scores: Widely considered a standout year, especially for Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Critics highlighted freshness, depth, and precision.
Aging Potential: 15–25 years for top reds; whites show focus and aging promise as well.
🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & Margaret River (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Barossa – Hot Continental | 85–98°F (29–37°C)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Margaret River – Mediterranean | 75–85°F (24–29°C)
Weather Summary: Cooler than average in Barossa; warm but even in Margaret River.
Challenges/Highlights: Lower yields but clean, healthy fruit.
Harvest Window: February to March.
Reception & Scores: Margaret River Chardonnays shine; Barossa reds are balanced and intense.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years for structured Shiraz and Cabernet.
🇿🇦 South Africa (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A cooler growing season with adequate winter rain.
Challenges/Highlights: Later ripening and elegant acidity — a relief after drought vintages.
Harvest Window: February to April.
Reception & Scores: Linear, precise reds and fresh whites; standout for Chardonnay and Syrah.
Aging Potential: 8–15 years depending on producer and style.
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: High Desert Continental | 80–92°F (27–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild growing season with no major weather threats.
Challenges/Highlights: Ideal ripening = balance and freshness.
Harvest Window: March to early April.
Reception & Scores: Lively Malbecs and elegant whites; no overripeness.
Aging Potential: 10–20 years for top reds.
🇨🇱 Chile - Maipo Valley & Casablanca (2021)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maipo – Mediterranean | 78–90°F (25–32°C)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Casablanca – Cool Coastal | 68–78°F (20–26°C)
Weather Summary: Moderate temperatures, no severe drought, and cool ocean influence.
Challenges/Highlights: Consistent quality; elegant expression of terroir.
Harvest Window: February through April.
Reception & Scores: Refined Cabernet and bright Sauvignon Blancs with energy.
Aging Potential: 8–15 years; especially good for Maipo reds.
