Comparison between Vintage Port and Champagne

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:45 pm

There are probably the 2 best examples of wines that are released only a few times per decade, when the quality and quantity of the grapes are worthy.

Do you find some synergy in the high quality of these two products due to their infrequent "declarations"?

Kurt Wieneke · Post by **Kurt Wieneke** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:20 pm

My own opinion is that the port producers would be better off getting away from the model of Champagne. Not that they try and model Champagne necessarily, but the declaration thing based on higher quality tends to make VP and Champagne more "special occasion" wines than regular drinking wines. The Vesuvio model interests me; I wonder where it will go. I can collect a vertical. I can know the vineyard over time. I can drink an "off vintage" this year or next and it will be drinkable.

Stuart Chatfield · Post by **Stuart Chatfield** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:50 am

Also this ties in with our recent discussions re: whether there should be a back-to-back 2003/2004 declaration based on quality if the economics permit.

Note how champagne seems to have produced an unusual succession of vintages in the late-nineties. OK, the quality of 95 and 96 seems good, but there must be pressure due to booming sales.

I wonder if port would declare 04 if it turns out good, or whether they'll hold off mainly due to the fact that 03s are still on the shelves and the prices of 00s are falling.

The old "is the vintage decared purely on quality, or partly due to market forces" debate :twisted:

We've only to wait the 23 days to St George's day to find out from Mr Bridge!

Richard Henderson · Post by **Richard Henderson** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:00 pm

I hope the port producers and the Champagne producers declare any year , back to back or otherwise based upon their good faith opinions as to quailty and let the market decide.
The Bourdeaux producers declare almost every vintage and 97 was considered "off" yet I love my 97 Haut Brion and Margaux at reduced close out prices . If Graham and Taylor want to release their 99 or 2004 at good prices, the cellar is open!