drink now
Another undistinguished year although there was some fair Brunello and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Weather Conditions
Spring was mild and the summer hot and dry in Tuscany , but the run in to the harvest was wet and many producers were faced with the problem of either picking early with low sugar levels or risking mould by waiting for the weather to improve. It was a big harvest everywhere in the region. Quality was affected by the rain, and careful vineyard selection was needed.
Best Appellations
It was a mid-weight, fruity, early drinking vintage in Chianti. At Montalcino 1973 was officially rated higher than 1974, but the wines were again on the light side and on the whole matured quickly. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was the most successful of the major DOCs, although they were wines which could not be expected to last much beyond the end of the decade.
Best Producers
Ruffino brought out the Riserva Ducale Gold Label which they generally only produce in the best vintages, and Uzzano and Vignamaggio both made Chianti Classico which was well received at the time. At Montalcino, Biondi Santi stood out in a vintage which on the whole did not favour the long barrel aged style of Brunello.
