Vintage 2002

Burgundy, the Loire and Bordeaux coped relatively well with the climatic challenges of the year. Burgundy wines were very well-received on release, with balanced elegant reds and whites still drinking well. Vintage 2002 also stood out as one of the decade’s best for Champagne.

2002 was a year to forget in key Italian wine regions such as Piedmont and Tuscany, but the opposite was true in Germany, arguably the standout European nation of the 2002 vintage, producing stellar sweet Rieslings that will age gracefully for a many years yet. The new world told a more positive story in 2002: reds from top producers in California and key regions of Australia continue to drink commendably well.