Alsace Vintage Chart: 1985 to 2021
2021
What wine merchants like to refer to euphemistically as 'a classic vintage'. Spring frosts dropped production on average 10% but mildew outbreaks from heavy rains in May, June and July took their toll, too. In the end, production was 20% below normal, and some producers lost much more. Very few sweet wines were made, but a sunny, dry autumn allowed for some nervy, aromatic dry wines, especially Riesling.
2020
Very similar to 2019 but without the spring frosts, and an even earlier beginning to the harvest.
2019
A mild winter followed by a cool spring kicked off a long, slow growing season marked by a warm summer with just enough rain to keep the vines happy. September was cool and dry, offering a long, pretty much perfect harvest window
2018
After a wet first half of the year, Alsace basked in the sun along with much of the rest of Europe, resulting in particularly good ripeness in the two Pinots, Gris and Noir. Riesling was perhaps less classic, thanks to the softer acidities resulting from the heat.
2017
A cold winter, warm spring and warm summer with sufficient rainfall added up to create a very good vintage for Alsace in 2017. Good conditions throughout the harvest season allowed for excellence across all varieties and at all sweetness levels, with no particular extremes. The only drawback is yields reduced by up to a third thanks mostly to spring frosts.
2016
Managing to escape the hail and frost that beset other French regions meant that Alsace had good yields in 2016. However, during a wet June mildew was a potential problem, but the rest of summer was warm and dry. Harvest conditions were good, and the resultant wines are more elegant and classic in profile than the richer 2015s.
2015
Much easier than recent vintages. After a gloomy June the summer was scorching, resulting in a harvest that began very early in September, and in lower acid levels than usual. Pinot Noir was particularly successful. Healthy harvest conditions allowed many producers to make late-harvested sweet wines. Overall, yield was small for the third year in a row.
2014
Cool temperatures throughout August made 2014 a high-acid vintage for Alsace, which bodes especially well for Crémant. Late-harvested whites were not a strong suit, but dry whites exhibit good typicality, albeit in a relatively restrained way.
2013
A stop-start growing season produced a very small crop which, but for harvest rains, would have been perfectly formed. Those that brought in grapes early fared the best.
2012
2012 went well for the Alsatians. Volumes were roughly average, and quality was very pleasing, thanks to a warm, steady August and a cool, dry September that kept vineyards disease-free. The Crémants, Pinots Noir and Gris, and Gewurztraminers are all especially successful.
2011
Good quality in an early-maturing, drinkable style – but not so impressive as 2010 or the superior 2009s.
2010
Lower yields than 2009, by about 20% overall. Quality is heterogenous thanks to some chaotic weather patterns, meaning that selectivity is the key to finding the best wines.
2009
This year produced some of the most consistently healthy grapes ever in Alsace, translating into exemplary varietal character throughout the region.
2008
Challenging weather conditions looked ominous for Alsace this year, but the wines have turned out to enjoy good concentration with balancing high acidity. Quality is not as high as the 2007 vintage. The Crémants are amongst the best.
2007
Very good vintage, even earlier than 2003, with extremely healthy, ripe grapes.
2006
Firm wines slightly lacking flesh.
2005
Pure, expressive, well balanced wines with good ripeness.
2004
Challenging vintage with quite a bit of rain.
2003
Very difficult in view of the high temperatures. Acidity levels were so low that growers were, for once, allowed to add acid, though few of them really got the hang of it. Early maturing wines.
2002
Fine weather at flowering followed an exceptionally cold winter so crop-thinning was necessary for high quality. The summer was much better than in most of France but rain in early October threatened the health of some grapes.
2001
Flowering was extended by low temperatures. Late autumn warmth made up somewhat for a coolish summer and wet September, which robbed the region of a great vintage but there are some excellent wines drinking well now.
2000
An exceptional vintage in every sense with a very early flowering and a very favourable growing season. A little rot of all sorts developed at the end of August and rains in October were sometimes heavy but good quantities of excellent wines, including late harvest styles, were produced.
1999
Rain plagued the growing season and brought rot and mildew. Fine weather began in mid August and continued for a month so that careful vignerons looked forward to good quality but hopes were dashed by yet more rain.
1998
Early harvest of very ripe grapes with some botrytis.
1997
Some really excellent wines. Early harvest of very ripe grapes plus some outstanding sweet, later picked wines.
1996
Solid but not desperately exciting wines.
1995
Varied year in which those who picked low-yielding vineyards well after the rains made great Rieslings, some very ripe. Rot threatened everyday wines. Slightly reduced crop.
1994
September rain, but impressive wines from those brave enough to pick late.
1993
A good year: ripe wines of weight and intensity.
1992
Better than most French regions: ripe, soft and forward.
1991
A difficult year, rain hit the harvest and the wines are light and acidic.
1990
A third wonderful year of classic, powerful, long-lived wines; the best still going strong.
1989
Massive sugar levels produced a blockbuster vintage with many still thrilling botrytis-affected bottles.
1988
Superb and intensely flavoured with the balance to last.
1985
Beautiful and elegant, these have gained complexity with age.