Vintage Charts
The following are links to good vintage charts. There are many available. We prefer these because they are clear, give a good deal of information, and are updated regularly. While vintage charts only paint a broad picture, they are useful in understanding the general reputation of a year. There are always exceptions; great wine makers produce great wines in difficult years, and poor wine makers make poor wines in great years.
Decanter.com - Updated regularly, the Decanter Vintage Guides rate the major regions with a 5 star system, give 'drink soon'/'drink now'/'keep' advice, and summarize the year in a phrase. If you want to know more, they offer a full paragraph each on the year's weather conditions, best appellations, and best producers.
Wine Spectator Online (Membership Required) - Up-to-date vintage charts and wine ratings. Wine Spectator uses a 100 point system, offers 'drink or hold' advice, and summarizes the year in a phrase. You can also read their reviews of scores of wine from the given year and region. Wine Spectator also provides fun informative online wine courses.
Wine Enthusiast - For a good, simple, printable vintage chart. The Wine Enthusiast uses a 100 point system and offers 'hold'/'drink'/'at peak'/'past peak' advice.
ItalianMade - The best source for lesser-known Italian denominations. This is a very useful site in general, but the vintage charts have not been updated for a couple of years.
