May 29 • General discussion
What Time of Year Were Your Grapes Picked🍇
It Might Matter More Than You Think 🍷📆
We all know the vintage tells us the year the wine was made, but did you know the exact harvest season can have a huge impact on how your wine tastes?
Let’s dig into the secret story of when your grapes were picked and why it might explain why some vintages feel bold, while others feel bright.
☀️ Early Harvest = Bright, Crisp, Zippy
Grapes picked earlier (often in cooler years or regions) have higher acidity and lower sugar, which means:
Fresher, lighter wines
More citrus and green fruit notes
Lower alcohol
Think: Sauvignon Blanc, early-harvest Riesling, Vinho Verde
🌞 Late Harvest = Rich, Bold, Jammy
Grapes picked later are riper and more concentrated.
The result?
Bigger body
Deeper color
Higher alcohol
Flavors of blackberry, plum, fig, or raisin
Think: Zinfandel, late-harvest Syrah, Amarone, dessert wines
🍂 Weather = Vintage Personality
Hot, dry seasons = more intense, fruit-forward wines
Cooler or rainy years = leaner, structured, sometimes more age-worthy wines
✨ A 2020 Cab from a hot Napa year might taste totally different from a cooler 2021 vintage and even if it’s from the same vineyard.
🧠 Pro Tip:
Next time you buy wine, look up the vintage year’s harvest notes (especially for regions like Napa, Bordeaux, or Tuscany.)
It’s like knowing the backstory before the first sip.
Your Turn!
Have you ever compared two vintages of the same wine and noticed a difference?
What’s your favorite harvest style zippy and bright, or bold and juicy?
Share below! 🍷📅⬇️
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What Time of Year Were Your Grapes Picked🍇
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