2024 European wines marked by acidity
The 2024 vintage in Europe is shaping up to be a return to its roots, marked by vibrant acidity reminiscent of wines of yesteryear. As wine globetrotters, we’ve traveled the continent’s wine regions to bring you a glimpse of this remarkable year that’s redefining the balance of European wines.
A 2024 vintage marked by freshness
The year 2024 will be remembered by European winemakers as a season of challenges and opportunities . The capricious weather conditions have tested producers’ resilience, but have also offered a unique opportunity to reconnect with fresher and more elegant aromatic profiles.
Philippe Pellaton, president of Inter Rhône, did not hesitate to describe this vintage as "Homeric" , highlighting the obstacles overcome by winemakers in the face of heavy rain, fungal diseases and unusually cool temperatures during veraison. This poetic description reflects the scale of the challenge faced by producers across Europe.
In Tuscany, Luca Marrone, chief oenologist at Grattamacco and Poggio di Sotto, confirms this trend: "The 2024 vintage takes us back to the harvests of the 80s and early 90s, with marked acidity and more moderate alcohol levels." This characteristic promises wines of great freshness and remarkable balance , recalling the "classic" style of yesteryear.
Acidity, the new star of European cellars
Acidity, long considered the backbone of great wines, is making a strong comeback in the 2024 vats. This essential component brings liveliness, longevity and complexity to the wines, an asset particularly appreciated in a context of climate change.
Carlo Paoli, CEO of Sassicaia, is delighted with this return to the roots: "With acidity values ranging from 5.80 to 5.90 grams per liter, the wines of Tenuta San Guido 2024 are distinguished by their balance and aromatic finesse." This very present acidity promises structured, elegant wines with great aging potential .
In England, where winemaking is booming, Zoë Driver, oenologist at Black Chalk, highlights the importance of this natural acidity for their sparkling wines: "At Black Chalk, we celebrate acidity in all our wines. We do very little malolactic fermentation, if any, because acidity doesn't scare us." This approach fits perfectly with the trend of wine lovers looking for something new , looking for more lively and refreshing taste profiles.
Challenges and opportunities of an atypical vintage
While acidity is there, the 2024 vintage is not without its challenges. Winegrowers have had to demonstrate great adaptability to changing weather conditions. Disease pressure, particularly mildew and rot, has required constant vigilance in the vineyards.
In the Loire, producers are talking about "one of the most trying years in recent decades" , with historically low yields in some appellations such as Menetou-Salon and Pouilly-Fumé. Nevertheless, this adversity has also pushed winemakers to redouble their efforts and ingenuity to preserve the quality of their grapes.
In Bordeaux, winemakers have had to deal with a slower maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon. David Liorit, oenologist at Château Petit Val in Saint-Émilion, testifies: "We have opted for a very meticulous selection, from sorting in the vineyard to densimetry in the cellar, to guarantee exceptional quality." This rigor has made it possible to obtain wines combining optimal maturity and remarkable freshness .
Here is a summary table of the characteristics of the 2024 vintage in different European wine regions:
| Region | Acidity | Alcohol | Aromatic profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscany | High | Moderate | Fresh and elegant |
| Bordeaux | Well present | Balance | Fruity and lively |
| Loire | Marked | Moderate | Tense and mineral |
| England | Very high | Down | Lively and lemony |
Towards a new era of European wines
The 2024 vintage may mark a turning point in the recent history of European viticulture. After years of early harvests and powerful wines, this return to fresher and more elegant profiles is welcomed with enthusiasm by many professionals in the sector.
This trend is part of a broader quest for balance and authenticity in the world of wine. Consumers, increasingly savvy, are looking for wines that faithfully reflect their terroir of origin, while offering freshness and drinkability. The 2024 vintage could well meet these expectations, by offering vibrant, complex wines with great aging potential .
Our journey through European vineyards allowed us to see the palpable enthusiasm of the winegrowers in the face of this atypical vintage. Although the challenges were numerous, the prospect of producing wines of great freshness and tension galvanized the teams. This return to the sources reminds us that wine is above all a product of nature, subject to climatic hazards, and that it is precisely this variability that makes it so rich.
As we eagerly await the first wines from this unique vintage, it is interesting to note that this trend towards freshness is reminiscent of some ice wines, harvested under extreme conditions , which also offer vibrant acidity and captivating aromatic complexity. The 2024 vintage could well mark the beginning of a new era for European wines, where freshness and elegance once again become the watchwords.
