Twenty Years On: The 1983 Vintage
Vintage conditions were very good in many winemaking regions of the world during 1983. The wines of Bordeaux have never received the acclaim of those from the 1982 vintage, but many have been more affordable for that. Many critics accept that the Margaux communes in fact produced better wines than they had done the previous year, and in the past these have been worth seeking out. Nevertheless, at this stage in their lives it is unlikely that any will appear at bargain prices! Read my Bordeaux 1983 blind tasting for more on the vintage in this region.
Elsewhere in France, the northern Rhône fared very well in 1983, Hermitage leading the way, with good Côte-Rôtie and Crozes-Hermitage also. The southern Rhône produced good wines but not up to the standard in the north. Some good red and white Burgundy was made, although many parts of the region suffered with rot, stringent selection was vital, and as always approach these wines with caution – many are best avoided. In Burgundy quality was very patchy, with the reds ranging from excellent right down to poor, and more universal disappointment with the white wines. In the rest of Europe, Germany enjoyed a great vintage, and wines of Spätlese quality and above are drinking well and many will still keep. Champagne enjoyed a good vintage although many are now past their best. Many good and age worthy Ports were also bottled, and in contrast to Champagne these are drinking well now and many will continue to improve.
In the New World, the 1983 vintage failed to produce more than a few outstanding successes. In Australia, New South Wales produced arguably the best wines, with Hunter Valley Semillon leading the pack. The Californians lacked elegance. Other New World countries which today produce some world class wines were of much less interest two decades ago. (23/4/03)
