2022
A tale of two extremes — the 2022 vintage was defined by drought and heat across much of the Northern Hemisphere, leading to small, intense harvests and bold, early-drinking wines. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere saw cooler, more classic conditions, giving balance and grace to its best bottles.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🌍 Record-breaking heat scorches Europe — hottest summer ever recorded
🇷🇺 Russia invades Ukraine — global energy and grain markets rocked
🏀 LeBron James breaks NBA all-time scoring record
💸 Inflation peaks worldwide — interest rates rise sharply
🧨 Crypto markets crash — FTX scandal triggers widespread losses
🎶 Beyoncé’s Renaissance reclaims the dance floor
🛰️ NASA’s James Webb Telescope sends back first deep space images
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: One of the hottest and driest vintages on record
Challenges/Highlights: Drought stress, early harvest, low disease pressure, concentrated fruit
Harvest Window: Mid-August to early September
Reception & Scores: Promising en primeur reports; high praise for balance despite heat
Aging Potential: Medium to long-term; structured but earlier maturing than 2019 or 2016
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–86°F (24–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry summer with surprisingly good yields
Challenges/Highlights: Some hydric stress, but successful fruit set and phenolic ripeness
Harvest Window: Late August to mid-September
Reception & Scores: A relief after short 2021 crop; vibrant whites, generous reds
Aging Potential: Whites: mid-term | Reds: mid to long-term with good balance
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Scorching heat and drought, especially in the south
Challenges/Highlights: Thick skins, small berries = powerful reds; some irrigation used
Harvest Window: Mid to late August
Reception & Scores: Rich, concentrated style; potential for iconic Syrah in the north
Aging Potential: Long for top reds; early appeal for many southern blends
🇫🇷 Champagne (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry but well-timed rain in August helped balance
Challenges/Highlights: High sugar and acidity = rare equilibrium
Harvest Window: Mid-August
Reception & Scores: Potentially great; growers optimistic about long-term quality
Aging Potential: High — structured, fresh, and ripe base wines
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Intense heat and little rain, especially in summer
Challenges/Highlights: Lower yields, especially for Nebbiolo; excellent phenolic ripeness
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Barolo producers saw promise despite stress
Aging Potential: Long for structured Barolo; slightly earlier drinking Barbaresco
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Long, hot, and dry growing season
Challenges/Highlights: Drought = very small berries; concentrated Sangiovese
Harvest Window: Mid to late September
Reception & Scores: Powerful, dark-fruited wines with assertive tannins
Aging Potential: Medium to long — structured and serious
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 85–97°F (29–36°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Extreme heat and dryness, especially inland
Challenges/Highlights: Water stress, some yields down; concentrated berries
Harvest Window: Late August to early October (depending on altitude)
Reception & Scores: Bold, ripe Tempranillo with lower acidity
Aging Potential: Moderate — suitable for shorter to mid-term aging
🇩🇪 Mosel (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 72–84°F (22–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: One of the warmest vintages ever recorded
Challenges/Highlights: Early harvest, high ripeness, low botrytis = dry-focused year
Harvest Window: Late August to early September
Reception & Scores: Excellent quality for dry Rieslings; less botrytized wines produced
Aging Potential: Mid to long-term; precise and mineral
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 85–100°F (29–38°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Multiple heat waves and drought; record Labor Day heat spike
Challenges/Highlights: Early harvest, small yields, intense fruit
Harvest Window: Early August to mid-September
Reception & Scores: High quality but low quantity; bold and plush
Aging Potential: Mid to long-term for structured reds
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Moderate Mediterranean | 78–92°F (26–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry with compressed harvest windows
Challenges/Highlights: Balance achieved in earlier-picked sites; late heat challenging
Harvest Window: Mid-August to early September
Reception & Scores: High promise in coastal Pinot and Chardonnay
Aging Potential: Mid-term; vibrant acidity in cooler zones
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool spring followed by a hot, dry summer
Challenges/Highlights: Late bud break, but perfect flowering and ripening
Harvest Window: Late September to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Classic Pinot Noir — lifted aromatics and freshness
Aging Potential: Mid to long-term; well-structured, balanced wines
🇺🇸 Washington State (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Late bud break, then prolonged heat and drought
Challenges/Highlights: Short season compressed by heat spikes; small, potent berries
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Excellent for bold reds with density and ripe tannins
Aging Potential: Long-term for Cabernet and Syrah from top sites
🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & Margaret River (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–95°F (27–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild summer with cool nights; good ripening conditions
Challenges/Highlights: Low disease pressure; high color and tannin potential
Harvest Window: February to April
Reception & Scores: Balanced, age-worthy reds; pristine whites from Margaret River
Aging Potential: Long — refined and classic structure
🇿🇦 South Africa (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 78–90°F (26–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A classic vintage with moderate warmth and good yields
Challenges/Highlights: Well-timed rains, low disease, gradual ripening
Harvest Window: Late February to April
Reception & Scores: High quality across reds and whites
Aging Potential: Medium to long — freshness + depth = aging promise
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 82–96°F (28–36°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and dry growing season with limited frost
Challenges/Highlights: Excellent fruit set and ripening; minimal disease
Harvest Window: March to early April
Reception & Scores: Classic Malbecs; purity and richness
Aging Potential: Mid to long — structured and expressive
🇨🇱 Chile - Maipo Valley & Casablanca (2022)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean with Pacific influence | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool start, then consistent summer warmth
Challenges/Highlights: Ideal for slow ripening; good color and acidity
Harvest Window: March to May
Reception & Scores: Vibrant Cabernet, fresh Chardonnay and Pinot
Aging Potential: Mid-term; fresh, balanced wines
