Piedmont 1980 Vintage Report
Defining the 1980 vintage in Piedmont requires looking beyond the averages, as it was a year of contrasting fortunes and precise timing.
Early challenges emerged with a disrupted flowering phase. 113mm 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 7 distinct cold snaps keeping vineyard managers on high alert during budbreak.
It was a cool, classical season. Reaching only 1167 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 39mm of rain that fell sporadically during the picking weeks.
**Style:** Elegant, transparent wines defined by finesse and vibrant acidity.
About Piedmont
Often called the "Burgundy of Italy," Piedmont is the realm of the Nebbiolo grape. Its foggy hills produce Barolo and Barbaresco—wines of immense tannic structure, floral aromas, and exceptional longevity.
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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