Michael Broadbent explains how the vintage makes the wine and why vintages are so important. He answers basic questions about what a vintage is and what conditions make a good or poor vintage. He explores the effect of vintage not only on the style and quality of the wine, but also on the quantity produced in a given year. The vintage years are listed in chronological order for ease of reference, and there is also information on the character and readiness to drink of a wide array of wines. More than a century of wine vintages are covered. Quick-reference quality ratings for each entry are also included.

Author Biography

Michael Broadbent, one of the world's most experienced winetasters, is a director of Christie's and founder of their internationally renowned wine auction department. He is a former chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and a past president of the International Wine and Food Society. Michael is the recipient of one of France's highest honours, L'Ordre National du Merite and the rarely bestowed gold medal of the City of Paris. His other awards include the Wine Spectator's Distinguished Service Award (1991) and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Society of Bacchus America (1992), and he was Decanter Man of the Year in 1993. Michael lives in London.