Piedmont 1997 Vintage Report
The 1997 vintage in Piedmont is the ultimate redemption story. After a chaotic start that threatened the crop, the season turned a corner to deliver a stunning finale.
Early challenges emerged with a disrupted flowering phase. 117mm 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 2 distinct cold snaps keeping vineyard managers on high alert during budbreak.
Summer conditions were balanced, oscillating between warm spells and refreshing intervals that kept the ripening on a steady track.
The season concluded with a pristine harvest window. With negligible rain (8mm), pickers could wait for perfect phenolic maturity, harvesting each block at its absolute zenith.
**Style:** Classically proportioned wines with good balance and terroir expression.
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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