Portugal

Douro Valley

1989
98Grapeyear
legendary Configuration

Douro Valley 1989 Vintage Report

Defining the 1989 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 14 days soaring above 35°C, the vines faced a stress test. Yet, thanks to sufficient water reserves, the canopy remained green, protecting the clusters from sunburn.

The season concluded with a pristine harvest window. With negligible rain (15mm), pickers could wait for perfect phenolic maturity, harvesting each block at its absolute zenith.

**Style:** Rich, opulent, and structured wines built for the long haul.

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)

2256

Total Rainfall

269 mm

Sunshine Hours

2405 hrs

Diurnal Shift

11.4 °C

Frost Days

0 days

Average Temperature

20 °C

Historical Context (10 Years)

Comparison of growing season heat accumulation vs regional average.

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