In the Langhe, classico, or classic, has become shorthand for ‘cool years’, which were the norm before the onset of climate change. The forthcoming 2019 might well be the last vintage of its kind. Look out for my tasting notes this Friday.
Producers often look back at past vintages for clues to interpret the current one, both during the growing cycle and afterwards in the course of vinification, to have an idea of what style of wines to expect. For the last decade I have been asking Barolo producers which past vintage the current one reminds them of. A...