1996 Wine and Port

1996 Wine Vintage Report

1996 Vintage Port :

Although 1996 was one of the wettest years for port on record, the Douro region produced a large, abundant crop. The year was not declared as a Vintage, however a few good port wines were produced which are noted for being fruity and forward.

1996 Italian :

1996 was an outstanding vintage for Italian wines. This is an extremely good year. In Piedmont, tricky weather all summer yielded to a period of hot and dry weather from mid-September through to mid-October. This enabled the late-ripening Nebbiolo to achieve a classic balance between fruit and structure. The best Barolos and Barbarescos are substantial on the palate and give every indication of a long life ahead. Like Piedmont, Tuscany had a cooler than average summer and this enabled a long, slow ripening of the grapes. The wines are richly aromatic, deeply coloured and abundantly fruity.

1996 Bordeaux :

The 1996 vintage produced exceptional wines that broke all price records (until the 2000 vintage). The top wines will just about have reached full maturity now but will keep for many more years.

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