Rioja 1969 Vintage Report
Defining the 1969 vintage in Rioja requires looking beyond the averages, as it was a year of contrasting fortunes and precise timing.
Early challenges emerged with a disrupted flowering phase. 73mm of rain during the bloom caused significant *coulure* (shatter), naturally lowering yields and concentrating the energy into fewer bunches.
It was a cool, classical season. Reaching only 1140 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 63mm of rain that fell sporadically during the picking weeks.
**Style:** Classically proportioned wines with good balance and terroir expression.
About Rioja
Spain's premier wine region, famous for its oak-aged Tempranillo blends. Rioja balances fruit with savory notes of leather and spice, categorized by a strict aging system from Crianza to Gran Reserva.
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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