2015 was an especially notable year for white wines (Verdicchio, Grechetto from Lazio and Umbria). 20 were glorious years, though different in nature, as both were warm, with 2015 offering riper red wines, while the reds in 2016 are better structured for long-term cellaring. 2013 returned to more typical temperatures, while 2014 was problematic, with cool temperatures and above average rainfall the whites and reds did offer very good acidity, but lacked concentration. 2010 for all of central Italy was a successful vintage with warm, but not excessive temperatures reds from Bolgheri, Montalcino and Umbria were beautifully structured, while this was also a wonderful year for expressive aromatics in the whites, particularly with Verdicchio from Marche.Ģ0 were very warm (especially 2011), offering ripe, forward wines. The decade of the 2010s for central Italy was similar to that of the north, in that climate change marked a new norm for warmer temperatures in most years.
Please click on the wine glasses to see the full report for each vintage
2014 was the exception to the decade’s warmer temperatures producers in Valpolicella called it one of the most difficult years they have ever faced, while Barolo and Barbaresco vintners fared much better, crafting less powerful, but beautifully balanced, well-structured wines. Only 20 were problematic due to the excessive heat those years (especially the latter). The finest vintages were 2010, 2013, 2016, 20 for both reds and whites indeed, producers throughout the north have labeled 2019 a near-perfect growing season for every varietal. Warmer temperatures also aided the higher elevation vineyards in the Langhe district of Piedmont where Barolo and Barbaresco are produced, as well as in Veneto for the production of Amarone della Valpolicella.
In general, the decade of the 2010s was marked by warm growing seasons most years this was often a benefit, especially in the cool climate wine territories of Friuli and Alto Adige. The vintage charts were last updated on Augin order to include the 2020 vintage. Tom Hyland, wine writer, photographer, and publisher of Italian Wine Report, has compiled this information and written the vintage charts starting with the 2010 vintage. The vintage chart and harvest reports provided by the Wine Scholar Guild give you the ranking for major Italian wine regions and vintages from 2010 to today.