Champagne 1998 Vintage Report
For much of the season, 1998 looked destined for greatness in Champagne, until the elements conspired against it in the final weeks.
Spring was steady if unremarkable, with the vines navigating the vulnerable flowering stage without major incident. However, the threat of frost loom large, with 2 distinct cold snaps keeping vineyard managers on high alert during budbreak.
It was a cool, classical season. Reaching only 1040 GDD, the summer never really spiked in temperature, favoring the development of fresh aromatics over sheer power.
The finale was fraught with tension. A deluge of 85mm during the harvest period forced an expedited picking schedule to mitigate botrytis risks, rewarding those who sorted ruthlessly.
**Style:** Classically proportioned wines with good balance and terroir expression.
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)
Total Rainfall
Sunshine Hours
Diurnal Shift
Frost Days
Average Temperature
Historical Context (10 Years)
Comparison of growing season heat accumulation vs regional average.
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