Douro Valley 1978 Vintage Report
Defining the 1978 vintage in Douro Valley requires looking beyond the averages, as it was a year of contrasting fortunes and precise timing.
Spring was steady if unremarkable, with the vines navigating the vulnerable flowering stage without major incident.
Summer turned up the intensity. With 15 days soaring above 35°C, the vines faced a stress test. Combined with a lack of rainfall (only 185mm total), this led to hydric stress that halted ripening in younger vines, though old vines with deep roots persevered.
Harvest proceeded under mixed skies, requiring agility to dodge the 35mm of rain that fell sporadically during the picking weeks.
**Style:** Classically proportioned wines with good balance and terroir expression.
About Douro Valley
A UNESCO site of dramatic, terraced slopes along the Douro River. Originally famous for Port, it now produces some of Portugal's most concentrated and elegant dry red wines from indigenous grapes.
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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