Champagne

Question 1

2022

Answer 1

Large crop. Quality unaccessed.

Question 2

2021

Answer 2

A rainy season. Challenging weather. April frosts decreased yields.

Question 3

2020

Answer 3

VERY hot. High PH like 2018.

Question 4

2019

Answer 4

A damp start to the growing season was followed by a dry and extremely hot summer with some losses to frost, hail and, worryingly, heat damage at the end of June and early July. Higher acidity than 2018.

Question 5

2018

Answer 5

Bumper year, higher yields. Generous ripeness

Question 6

2017

Answer 6

Not great. Damp conditions. Grey rot.

Question 7

2016

Answer 7

A small crop from a challenging growing season that saw frost and hail; stronger for Pinot Noir than Chardonnay
WS: 93-96

Question 8

2015

Answer 8

Hot growing season. Ample ripeness, rich wines.
WS: 94-97

Question 9

2014

Answer 9

Cool growing season. Fresh and approachable wines.
WS: 93

Question 10

2013

Answer 10

Cool spring, late growing season, fresh and vibrant wines. Approachable with good aging.
WS; 94

Question 11

2012

Answer 11

Small but expceptional crop. Frost and hail and disease. Ripe and harmonious.
WS: 95

Question 12

2011

Answer 12

Problematic vintage. Erratcic growing seaon. Low potential alcohol.
WS: 79

Question 13

Best vintage 2011-2020

Answer 13

2012

Question 14

Worst vintage 2011-2020

Answer 14

2011

Question 15

2010

Answer 15

Erratic growing season. Rain and rot. Not good.
WS: 88

Question 16

2009

Answer 16

Warm growing season. Fine summer, high quality grapes, particularly Pinot Noir. Plump and approachable.
WS: 93

Question 17

2008

Answer 17

Very difficult growing season (millerandage, coulure, oildium, mildew, hail), culminating in warm, sunny weather in September. Fruit is exceptional, high malic acid and high sugars. Taut and harmonious. The second great vintage of the 2000’s?
WS: 97

Question 18

2007

Answer 18

Difficult season, culminating in warm weather in August. Early harvest. Great acidity and freshness from top producers.
WS: 89

Question 19

2006

Answer 19

Well stuctured and balanced. An exceptionally hot and sunny June and July with grapes in fine fettle but a dank August left producers fearful of underripeness. Fortunately, warm, bright conditions in September redressed the balance. Wines are supple and expressive - generally more detailed than the 2015s.
WS: 93

Question 20

2005

Answer 20

Warm, uneventful growing season. High degrees of ripeness and density - possibly becoming overripe
WS: 90

Question 21

Best vintages 2005-2010

Answer 21

2008

Question 22

Worst vintages 2005-2010

Answer 22

2007

Question 23

2004

Answer 23

Big harvest, sleek and vibrant.
WS: 92

Question 24

2003

Answer 24

Spring frosts followed by one of the hottest summers on record led to small volumes and typically very ripe wines of middling quality
WS: 88

Question 25

2002

Answer 25

The best year since 1996, with complexity and richness backed by firm, lively structures. Ageability
WS: 94

Question 26

2001

Answer 26

A generally poor vintage characterised by rot and underripeness thanks to a wet and gloomy September.

Question 27

2000

Answer 27

Fine spring into stormy July, including hail. Warmth through harvest saved the vintage. Rich and weighty vintage, somewhat lacking in precision.
WS: 89

Question 28

Best vintages 2000-2005

Answer 28

2002

Question 29

Worst vintages 2000-2005

Answer 29

2003

Question 30

Best vintages of the 1990s

Answer 30

1996, 1990
Structured. Long lived.

Question 31

Worst vintages of the 1990s

Answer 31

1997 - lean and firm