Wine Wine Wine

Get it here <link>. Always an excellent read. Click on to part 2 for the French regions.

Bordeaux soundbite:

“The grapes were harvested very late this year, with extremely low yields and very high alcohol and a balance of good acidity,” said Jean-Guillaume Prats, head of Cos-d’Estournel in St.-Estephe. “At Cos, it is the smallest yield per hectare ever (apart from 1991, a frost vintage). This vintage could be a blend of 2002 and 1988.”

Burgundy:

“Early reports suggest Chardonnay is more successful than Pinot Noir. The white grapes were healthier and the botrytis-affected Pinot Noir required diligent sorting. However, 2008 is a year where generalizations won’t apply and the results will vary not only from grower to grower, but also from parcel to parcel.”

Rhone:

“The Southern Rhône’s string of outstanding vintages since 1998 (save for 2002) may have come to an end in 2008, a difficult growing season marked by cool, rainy weather and a very small crop.”

But don’t take my word for it, get the whole story at the WS site .

Tags: 2008, vintage, vintage report, wine