The first formal vintage tables appeared in the 1820s. I was not around then, but now that more than half a century has passed since I started appreciating and writing about wine, I suppose the time has come for me to join that group of people who have compiled their own tables.

Because all vintage tables involve generalizations, there are no firm facts to be found in them. In a sense, these charts are meant to give an overall picture and perhaps to supply clues about what wines to consider buying or drinking. In making one's decisions, however, it is wise to remember that the quality of wines of any vintage year and in any region can vary enormously between wineries. Also worth keeping in mind when reading such charts is that scores are based on the maximum potential of a given area - that is to say, the wines of a superlative vintage year in Israel or Chile, will simply not produce the great wines of an equally good year in Bordeaux or Montalcino. Remember as well that vintage tables are based on what most people consider "quality wines" and not those made for everyday drinking and thus not intended for aging. More than this, estimates of drinkability are based on wines that have been shipped and stored under ideal conditions. All of the evaluations in the chart that follows are my own, based on multiple private and public tastings.

Note: To see my vintage charts for France, Italy, Spain, the U.S.A. and other countries, click here.

© Daniel Rogov