Italy

Tuscany

1998
87Grapeyear
excellent Configuration

Tuscany 1998 Vintage Report

For much of the season, 1998 looked destined for greatness in Tuscany, 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.

The growing season was solar and generous. Accumulating 1956 Growing Degree Days (GDD), the summer provided consistent warmth that drove steady sugar accumulation.

The finale was fraught with tension. A deluge of 273mm during the harvest period forced an expedited picking schedule to mitigate botrytis risks, rewarding those who sorted ruthlessly.

**Style:** Powerful but variable, with the best wines balancing the heat with careful selection.

About Tuscany

The heart of Italian wine, Tuscany is the land of Sangiovese. From the classic, savory Chianti Classico to the powerful, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino and the modern Super Tuscans, it combines history with innovation.

Climatic Blueprint

Growing Degree Days (GDD)

1956

Total Rainfall

561 mm

Sunshine Hours

2353 hrs

Diurnal Shift

10 °C

Frost Days

0 days

Average Temperature

19 °C

Historical Context (10 Years)

Comparison of growing season heat accumulation vs regional average.

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