France

Champagne

1969
72Grapeyear
average Configuration

Champagne 1969 Vintage Report

Defining the 1969 vintage in Champagne requires looking beyond the averages, as it was a year of contrasting fortunes and precise timing.

Early challenges emerged with a disrupted flowering phase. 99mm of rain during the bloom caused significant *coulure* (shatter), naturally lowering yields and concentrating the energy into fewer bunches. However, the threat of frost loom large, with 5 distinct cold snaps keeping vineyard managers on high alert during budbreak.

It was a cool, classical season. Reaching only 1020 GDD, the summer never really spiked in temperature, favoring the development of fresh aromatics over sheer power.

Harvest proceeded under mixed skies, requiring agility to dodge the 28mm of rain that fell sporadically during the picking weeks.

**Style:** Elegant, transparent wines defined by finesse and vibrant acidity.

About Champagne

The cold, chalky plains of Champagne yield the world's most prestigious sparkling wines. Using the "Méthode Champenoise," the region blends Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier to create wines of brightness, acidity, and complex autolytic character.

Climatic Blueprint

Growing Degree Days (GDD)

1020

Total Rainfall

455 mm

Sunshine Hours

1982 hrs

Diurnal Shift

8.5 °C

Frost Days

0 days

Average Temperature

14 °C

Historical Context (10 Years)

Comparison of growing season heat accumulation vs regional average.

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