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1976 Wine and Port Vintage

Vintage Summary and Recommendations: Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1976 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1976 vintage, our top recommendations and region reports. Scroll down to see all of our wines currently available. If you cannot find what you are looking for please call us on 01425 837177 or Contact Us. We would love to help you with your wine choice!

The 1976 vintage was, for much of the wine world, a mixed bag. For France, the vintage was fairly good with Bordeaux, Sauternes, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley all enjoying a reasonably good year, while the year for Champagne, the Loire and Alsace was excellent. Italy endured a less than successful year while Spain, and Port had good but not great years. Any of these wines would make a fabulous 49 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.


Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:

  • Quinta da Devesa 1976 Colheita Port (with own gift box)
  • Barbaresco 1976 Bianco Aldo
  • Barolo 1976 Terre del Barolo
  • Chateau Beychevelle 1976 St Julien 4me Cru Classe

  •  
    This Year in History: Fun Fact: The first commercial Concorde flight takes off[6] from Heathrow Airport for Bahrain.
    Eurovision Winner: UNITED KINGDOM with the song "Save Your Kisses For Me" by Brotherhood of Man
    Top Grossing Movie: Rocky
     
    Bordeaux: 1976 wines still offer delightful, attractive drinking if they have been well stored. The wines are characterised as soft-bodied, with low acidity levels.
    Rain during the harvest that followed the long hot summer of 1976 tarnished what could have been the vintage of the decade. Much to general surprise, the 1976 vintage although mature on release has maintained its maturity to date.
     
    Italian: A large crop was produced, but the 1976 wines lacked the ripeness and longevity of the preceding vintage. Although the wines will not improve further with age, they are still very drinkable - Barolo or Amarone being the most likely to offer a great experience.
     
    Portugal: Following the driest winter on record there was a total drought throughout the summer, until the end of August. This resulted in a very low production, however those ports that were produced are exceptionally concentrated and full-bodied. They lack a little freshness but this is understandable given the dry conditions. There are very few bottle aged ports available but the Colheita ports (barrel aged) from this year are excellent.
     
    Spain: A good year that produced good quantities of Rioja. Gran Reserva made the annual average of 7%.

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    68 products found.

    Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1976

    Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe

    Provenance - privately stored in good cellar conditions since original purchase. The labels have deteriorated in the storage conditions.
    93 Points (Parker)
    94 Points (Wine Journal)
    Reviews

    "The 1976 Lafite clearly stands far above the crowd in this vintage. A beautiful bouquet of seductive cedarwood, spices, and ripe fruit precedes a very concentrated, darkly colored wine, with great length and texture. Some amber is just beginning to appear at the edge. The 1976 has turned out to be the best Lafite of the '70s. It is gorgeous to drink at present. Last tasted, 9/96." Parker Bordeaux 3rd edition

    "A sublime mature Lafite-Rothschild that alongside the 1978 counts as the best of the decade.
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    Price: £695.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Chateau Latour, 1976

    Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe (Top Shoulder, glue banded label)

    Very dark for its age; meat juice and tobacco on the nose, convincing complexity, a lot of tannin, almost some primary fruit, minerals, lovely balance, complex and very long, powerful. A hint of fruit sweetness in the finish.

    Château Latour, located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France, is one of the most prestigious and historically significant wine estates in the world. Classified as a First Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Château Latour is renowned for its powerful, long-lived red wines primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other classic Bordeaux varietals.
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    Price: £425.00
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Chateau Mouton Cadet, 1976

    Bordeaux, Baron Philipe Rothschild

    Created by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of the Rothschild banking dynasty, the wine named after his premier cru vineyard Château Mouton Rothschild, Mouton Cadet wine is produced through the assembly of a variety of grapes, from several Bordeaux region appellations. Originally only a red "Claret" wine from its origins in the 1930s, a white wine was added to the label in the 1970s, followed in the 1990s by a range of réserve wines, and in 2007 by a rosé wine.
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    Price: £69.95
    Stock: 12 in Stock

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    Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 1976

    Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe (High-shoulder)

    Mahogany core with deep brick rim. The nose is actually better than I anticipated with some dusty black fruits, cedar a touch of game, but it certainly lacks vigour and cohesion. The palate is a little tawdry, slightly hollow with an cooked character that jars against some obvious green berries that found themselves fermenting. Linear towards the dry finish, moderate length.

    Château Mouton Rothschild, nestled in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France, is among the most esteemed wine estates globally, celebrated for its rich history and exceptional red wines. Founded in the 19th century,
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    Price: £399.00
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Chianti, 1976

    Santa Lucia - Pierluigi Branca
    *** BIG BOTTLE OF 5,0 LITERS ***

    Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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    Price: £429.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto, 1976

    Ovada, Cantine Tre Castelli
    *** BIG BOTTLE OF 5,0 LITRES***

    A native black grape variety of Northern Italy grown almost exclusively in the provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria in Piedmont. It is relatively easy to cultivate, although it is susceptible to fungal diseases. It ripens before Barbera and Nebbiolo and is often grown in high north-facing sites which would be unsuitable for Nebbiolo. The finest Dolcetto wines come from grapes grown on soils rich with white marls, especially those found on the right bank of the River Tauro. The wines generally are low in tannins and acidity and are usually fruity and fragrant, often with hints of almonds.
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    Price: £349.95
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto, 1976

    Salvano Saverio

    A native black grape variety of Northern Italy grown almost exclusively in the provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria in Piedmont. It is relatively easy to cultivate, although it is susceptible to fungal diseases. It ripens before Barbera and Nebbiolo and is often grown in high north-facing sites which would be unsuitable for Nebbiolo. The finest Dolcetto wines come from grapes grown on soils rich with white marls, especially those found on the right bank of the River Tauro. The wines generally are low in tannins and acidity and are usually fruity and fragrant, often with hints of almonds.
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    Price: £59.00
    Stock: 6 in Stock

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    Dolcetto, 1976

    Rosso Benedetto

    A native black grape variety of Northern Italy grown almost exclusively in the provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria in Piedmont. It is relatively easy to cultivate, although it is susceptible to fungal diseases. It ripens before Barbera and Nebbiolo and is often grown in high north-facing sites which would be unsuitable for Nebbiolo. The finest Dolcetto wines come from grapes grown on soils rich with white marls, especially those found on the right bank of the River Tauro. The wines generally are low in tannins and acidity and are usually fruity and fragrant, often with hints of almonds.
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    Price: £59.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Fara, 1976

    G. Troglia

    The wines "Fara" shall be obtained within the company, from grapes coming from vines in the following proportions indicated below: Nebbiolo (Span) 50-70%; Vespolina and Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese) alone or in combination from 30% to 50%. They can also contribute to such production the red grapes, non-aromatic, from the grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Piedmont Region to the maximum extent of 10%.
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Fonseca Port, 1976

    Guimaraens Vintage Port

    REVIEWS:
    1976 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port - The color of this was amazing dark, being solid black with a tawny colored rim around the outside. I can’t ever remember seeing a color like this on this old VP. The nose was very gummy and thick with a floral aspect similar to the elderberry flower. Very reducted on the palate with thick tar, raisins, and green stems. Yet it was still tannic at the same time. The finish was moderate with a rich mint aspect to it. While good in its own right, served blind this could have easily been mistaken for a lighter style PX Sherry. An extremely dry winter was followed by a hot summer causing springs and wells to dry up for the first time in living memory.
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    Price: £269.00
    Stock: 3 in Stock

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    Fonseca Port, 1976

    Guimaraens Vintage Port
    Unlabelled

    REVIEWS:
    1976 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port - The color of this was amazing dark, being solid black with a tawny colored rim around the outside. I can’t ever remember seeing a color like this on this old VP. The nose was very gummy and thick with a floral aspect similar to the elderberry flower. Very reducted on the palate with thick tar, raisins, and green stems. Yet it was still tannic at the same time. The finish was moderate with a rich mint aspect to it. While good in its own right, served blind this could have easily been mistaken for a lighter style PX Sherry. An extremely dry winter was followed by a hot summer causing springs and wells to dry up for the first time in living memory.
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    Price: £239.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Franciacorta, 1976

    Cantine Colosio

    Franciacorta is a wine from the Province of Brescia (Lombardy) with DOCG status produced from grapes grown within the boundaries of the territory of Franciacorta, on the hills located between the southern shore of Lake Iseo and the city of Brescia. It was awarded DOC status in 1967, the designation then also including red and white still wines.
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Franciacorta, 1976

    Catturich Ducco

    Franciacorta is a wine from the Province of Brescia (Lombardy) with DOCG status produced from grapes grown within the boundaries of the territory of Franciacorta, on the hills located between the southern shore of Lake Iseo and the city of Brescia. It was awarded DOC status in 1967, the designation then also including red and white still wines.
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    Price: £79.00
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Gattinara, 1976

    Agostino Brugo

    Gattinara is a red Italian wine produced from Nebbiolo grapes grown within the boundaries of the commune of Gattinara which is located in the hills in the north of the province of Vercelli, northwest of Novara in the Piedmont region. The wine is made from a minimum of 90% Nebbiolo grapes and is renowned for its longevity. Notes: a meaty, chunky wine with a subtle, clean nose. Hints of tar and bark, with undertones of cherries and rose petals. Light tannins.
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    Price: £79.00
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Gattinara, 1976

    Fratelli Berteletti
    Clearance Offer Was £129 | Now £79

    Gattinara is a red Italian wine produced from Nebbiolo grapes grown within the boundaries of the commune of Gattinara which is located in the hills in the north of the province of Vercelli, northwest of Novara in the Piedmont region. The wine is made from a minimum of 90% Nebbiolo grapes and is renowned for its longevity. Notes: a meaty, chunky wine with a subtle, clean nose. Hints of tar and bark, with undertones of cherries and rose petals. Light tannins.
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    Price: £79.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Grignolino, 1976

    Bersano

    The Grignolino wines have a light ruby red color, tending to orange with aging. Have a characteristic odor and delicate in the mouth are dry, slightly tannic, bitter pleasant, with a characteristic aftertaste.
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Grottarossa, 1976

    Enopolio di Caltanisetta

    Fine ruby red colour with slight orange shade with ageing. Full fragance, heavy and enduring bouquet. Moderate dry with elegant bitter finish, robust and full-bodied
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Hugel, 1976

    Vendange Tardive Riesling, Alsace
    Off Dry White Wine

    This 1976 wine was made from overripe grapes that were picked well after the classic vintage and in the greatest years only. The action of noble rot (botrytis cinerea) gave them an almost unlimited ability to age. They are part of the elite of the greatest wines in France.

    Produced from over-ripened grapes in a selection of the oldest plots of the Hugel estate in the heart of the grand cru Schoenenbourg in Alsace. This fantastic historical terroir has been almost exclusively devoted to Riesling for centuries.

    Tasting Notes Deep golden. Musty, mushroomy first impression, but my god, this wine was the definition of resilience-it just kept coming and coming for the entire 2 hours that we savored it.
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    Price: £219.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Lagrein, 1976

    Kellergenossenschaft Kurtatsch

    Lagrein produces wine which has high acidity and low pH, and highly tannic. Eric Asimov notes that Lagrein produces “ ... congenial, straightforward wines that can be deliciously plummy, earthy and chewy, dark and full-bodied but not heavy, with a pronounced minerally edge.”
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    Price: £79.00
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Lessona, 1976

    Aziende Agricole Sella

    Lessona is a red wine-specific DOC of the Piedmont wine region in north-western Italy. It is one of several Piedmontese wines to be based on the region's native Nebbiolo grape variety, the most famous of which are Barolo and Barbaresco.
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    Price: £89.00
    Stock: 3 in Stock

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    Mesolone, 1976

    Beccaro Armano & Figlio

    Mesolone is a historical wine from the Biella area of Italy, specifically the Brusnengo hills. The name comes from the "meisola", a natural ladle-shaped basin located between two hills in the area. The wine is made from centuries-old vines of Croatina and Uva Rara grapes, grown using the Maggiorina method.

    Mesolone is a red wine that can be intense and consistent, with a ruby color and fruity aromas of cherry and red fruits. It also has notes of spices and vegetables, and on the palate, it has good acidity, structure, and excellent tannins with hints of bitter almond. Some say it pairs well with roasts, game, and stews.
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 3 in Stock

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    Montgros, 1976

    Bodegas Montgros

    Very forward nose of leather and cherries, liquorice wild strawberries, ripe plums and pencil .The palate is very nice balance of sweet fruit and acidity.
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    Price: £79.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Nebbiolo, 1976

    Poncini Francesco & Figlio
    *** BIG RARE 3,0 Litre BOTTLE ***

    The Nebbiolo has a lovely earthy bouquet. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, tar and slight dried rose notes. Complex and layered. Nice acidity. Medium tannins still present. Cherries on the palate too. Nice finish. Great food wine. Nebbiolo is a fickle grape famed as much for its pale appearance as for its tannic character and produces some of the most perfumed and richly flavored wines. Though generally only medium-bodied, the wines possess rose and anise scented aromatics and deep flavors of cherry, orange peel and subtle green herb tones.
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    Price: £329.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Nebbiolo, 1976

    Fontanafredda

    The Nebbiolo has a lovely earthy bouquet. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, tar and slight dried rose notes. Complex and layered. Nice acidity. Medium tannins still present. Cherries on the palate too. Nice finish. Great food wine. Nebbiolo is a fickle grape famed as much for its pale appearance as for its tannic character and produces some of the most perfumed and richly flavored wines. Though generally only medium-bodied, the wines possess rose and anise scented aromatics and deep flavors of cherry, orange peel and subtle green herb tones.
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    Price: £99.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1976

    Vietti

    The Nebbiolo d'Alba has a lovely earthy bouquet. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, tar and slight dried rose notes. Complex and layered. Nice acidity. Medium tannins still present. Cherries on the palate too. Nice finish. Great food wine. Nebbiolo is a fickle grape famed as much for its pale appearance as for its tannic character and produces some of the most perfumed and richly flavoured wines. Though generally only medium-bodied, the wines possess rose and anise scented aromatics and deep flavors of cherry, orange peel and subtle green herb tones.


    Vietti is an Italian winery located in the Piemonte region, specifically in the commune of Castiglione Falletto.
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    Price: £119.00
    Stock: 3 in Stock

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