Vintage Weather

2006 across the wine world

Every region on record for 2006, read the same way: temperature, rain, harvest timing, and the events that shaped the season.

Temperature
Cold → Hot
Argentina (Mendoza)

Warm · Hail

A warm year marked by a damaging December hailstorm.

Harvested autumn 2006

Vintage report →
Australia

Average · Low yield

A mild season and lower yields produced intense, refined reds across South Australia.

Harvested autumn 2006

Vintage report →
Bordeaux

Average · Harvest rain

A hot start turned cool and wet, forcing severe selection into a slow-aging year.

Vintage report →
Burgundy

Average · Hail, Botrytis

Hot July, wet rotten August, then a warm September made a highly variable year.

Vintage report →
Champagne

Warm · Mildew / rot

High sugar and low acid made 2006 broad, generous, and best enjoyed young.

Vintage report →
Rhône Valley

Average · Hail

A hailstorm hit some vines, but balanced weather gave soft, fresh wines.

Vintage report →
Mosel

No weather read · Harvest rain, Botrytis, Low yield

Late rains triggered rampant botrytis, forcing an early harvest of stunning sweet wines.

Vintage report →
Barolo

Warm · Heat spike

Extreme July heat and a cool August built powerful, structured wine.

Vintage report →
Tuscany

No weather read

Deep spring moisture and a balanced summer produced a classic vintage.

Vintage report →
Rioja

Warm · Hail, Mildew / rot

A wet start, August heat, and scattered hail made a fresh, supple year.

Vintage report →
Napa Valley

Average · Heat spike, Botrytis, Harvest rain

A wet spring and July heat wave made a grower's challenge and a late harvest.

Vintage report →
Willamette Valley

Warm · Heat spike

A warm, dry year with a big crop that gave rich wines and high alcohols.

Vintage report →
Sonoma

Average · Heat spike, Harvest rain, Mildew / rot, Botrytis

A cool wet spring, July heat spike, and October rains made a demanding year.

Vintage report →
Washington State

Warm

A hot, dry summer and a cooling September let flavor catch up to sugar.

Vintage report →