2015 Vintage News! We’ve been digging through magazines, news articles, and any information through the grapevine as it were to see where 2015 is headed. Take a look with us!

Harvest and Quality
It sounds like the 2015 will be higher quality across the board, but expect lower quantities across the board as well due to a lack of even rain in the months before harvest. Drought helps eliminate pests and disease, but prevents the grapes from growing larger. This creates some more concentrated juice, albeit at a lower yield. Erratic weather can produce an uneven crop which leasts to inconsistencies. Here are some articles we’ve found highlighting the 2015 vintage.

• New Zealand: Look to Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir from the South Island.
• Italy: Opposite to 2014, expects great vintage.
• South Africa: Fantastic year. Look to Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch.
• Australia: Expects fantastic vintage. Look to Shiraz across the regions; reds will have good tannin.
• France: Earliest harvest since 1950. Look to Burgundy, Champagne, Beaujolais.
• South America: Early harvest. Look to Malbec, and Chilean whites.
• Spain: Rioja expects a good harvest,

• Napa: Earliest harvest on record. Looks to be another outstanding year.
• Washington, Oregon: Optimistic despite forest fires. Look to the reds.
• Central Coast: Early sparkling harvest, record rainfall in Paso Robles.

There are other regions not mentioned (New York, Portugal, etc).

Keep In Mind
Aside from the weather and harvest, there are other factors to keep in mind for the 2015 vintage, as far as purchasing power and availability. Look at how each region’s currency is fairing; the weak Australian dollar will encourage competitive pricing. Look to what wines are being used for investment, and what China is buying; Bordeaux, as usual, and Barossa look popular. Look to regions hit hardest by drought; Burgundy and Champagne expected the smallest yields in France, so their prices will be high. Look to wines that will do well with cellaring vs wines that are ready to go (Australian Cabernet and Shiraz 2015 looks promising).

We are pretty excited to see what 2015 has to offer, but then again, when are we not looking forward to how terroir and the growing seasons influence wine? That’s the beauty of it. Check out Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 Vintage Report to see their ratings on vintages 2013 through 1990. Cheers!