A wine strategy for the New Year

ON the threshold of another new year - what can we look forward to wine-wise? First, what can we expect of vintage 2015? This vintage was discussed in this column a few weeks ago and merely needs a brief mention here (a) for the benefit of those who missed it; and (b) because in the interim several other reports have been published which all concur: 2015 will be a very good to great vintage, in almost all major wine regions in Europe.

Production levels are expected to be good, that is, near normal levels. It will be the best vintage since 2010 for sure. I shall be looking forward to the Bordeaux 2015s en primeur tastings in May/June, and will also expect to look at the 2015s in Burgundy, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Next thought: what should one buy or look forward to buying? As most readers are aware, only Bordeaux runs an en primeur campaign in the middle of the year, offering barrel tastings of the recently harvested vintage and releasing en primeur prices soon after. All other major wine regions - Burgundy, Rhone, Italy, Spain, Germany, et al will not be releasing new vintages until the third spring after the vintage. Thus the 2015 from Burgundy, Germany, Italy and Spain for example will not be released for sale until 2018 spring or even later.