1978 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations: 
Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1978 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1978 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!
In France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire and the Alsace all enjoyed excellent years, producing a wide range of sophisticated wines, some of which were capable of great aging. For Sauternes, however, the year was distinctly average and, for Champagne, it was downright poor. For France, the star region was indisputably the Rhône Valley, which had a legendary year for both the north and south. Italy had a legendary vintage and Spain's was also notably good. Any of these wines would make a fabulous 47 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
This Year in History: Fun Fact: Louise Brown, the first “test-tube baby,” was born healthy in Oldham General Hospital, UK.
Eurovision Winner: Israel with the song "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta
Top Grossing Movie: Grease
Bordeaux: The 1978 wine vintage was excellent for the Bordeaux region. The dry, hot summer produced wines that were medium-bodied, deeply coloured, fruity and moderately tannic. The wines reached their peak of maturity in the 1990s but are still drinking well now and will continue to do so for some years to come.
Italian: 1978 was a trouble free vintage across the Tuscany region with an early spring, warm but not excessively hot summer and well distributed rainfall. There was a certain amount of rain early in the harvest but those producers who picked later benefited from a period of uninterrupted fine weather. Altogether for Tuscany this was a 4 out of 5 Vintage. Conversely, the year started with cold and damp weather in Piedmont. Spring was particularly wet with lower than average seasonal temperatures; not until the second half of June did the weather pick up, too late for the flowering, which took place in very wet conditions causing a significant reduction in the crop. After light rains at the beginning of September, the weather suddenly turned around and the rest of the month was hot and dry with a marked difference between day and nighttime temperatures. The dramatic improvement continued through until the end of the Nebbiolo harvest during the third week of October. Natural selection and a warm autumn meant a very small crop of thick-skinned Nebbiolo grapes in Barolo and Barbaresco. By the end of the season this hailed as a great, long-lived vintage with a rating of 5/5.
Portugal: 1978 was a good Port vintage, although not a declared one; the wines are not outstanding but are still attractive and drinkable. 1978 was the year when the labelling of 'single quinta' became popular. Michael Symington, Head Winemaker at Symington Family Estates (Owners of Warre's, Dow's, Cockburn's, Smith Woodhouse and Graham's among others) wrote of the 1978 vintage "Musts showed exceptional colour and body and very dark, heavy wines have certainly been made. Not a trace of mould or rot was to be seen on the grapes coming in, and seldom can a Vintage have been made from more uniformly healthy grapes."
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82 products found.
Burmester, 1978
Colheita Port, Douro
Presented in Gift Tube
This is a wine of exceptional quality and elegance, a Casa Burmester classic that is made from a single harvest - a "Vintage Tawny" - aged in small 550-litre oak barrels in our Vila Nova de Gaia Cellars. It is bottled, at the very least, after seven years and in accordance with demand.
This is a wine of exceptional quality and elegance. Colheita ports are made from a single harvest - a "Vintage Tawny" - aged in small oak barrels. It is bottled, at the very least, after seven years and in accordance with demand.
Learn …
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Price: £139.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
J W Hart, 1978
Colheita Port, Douro
Magnum 1.5 Litre
Tasting note: With amber colour and golden hints this wine has an intense bouquet, dominated by the remarkable presence of the dried fruits with a refined touch of spices. In the mouth it is concentrated, firm and elegant. This wine of great deepness and with a noble character has an impressive and persistent finish.
Colheita Port Storage and Serving Advice:
Colheita Port should be stored in a cool and dry place, sheltered from light and temperature fluctuations, and the bottle should remain in an upright position. If stored correctly, Colheita Ports will keep for decades in the bottle. …
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Price: £148.00
Stock: 12 in Stock
Amarone della Valpolicella, 1978
Tedeschi - Capitel Monte Olmi
This wine is made from grapes harvested in various vineyards located on hills in the Valpolicella zone (Mezzane and Tregnago hills). Different sources and different grape varieties are important to obtain well-balanced wines with the fine structure that only a few single areas in the Valpolicella zone can provide. Notes: Color: strong ruby red. Clear and transparent. Bouquet: notes of vanilla and ethereal airs depending on the period of aging in the barrel; notes of sweet fruits such as currants, blueberries, cherries depending on the varieties of grapes. Flavor: wine with a velvety, raisiny character combined with the structure and typical stylish bitterness to give it good balance. …
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Price: £169.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1978
Giordano
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1978
Giovanni Lodali - Vigneto Rocche dei Zeratelli
Sale | Was £149 | Now £99
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1978
Pelissero Luigi - Riserva
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £119 | Now £95
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
more >>>
Price: £95.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1978
Salvano Saverio
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
more >>>
Price: £99.00
Stock: 13 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1978
Cav 1901
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
more >>>
Price: £139.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbera, 1978
La Versa
Clearance Offer | Was £69 | Now £34
Barbera is a wine of prestige, rich colors that refer generally to the ruby purple, just what clothes cardinals; the bouquet is ample and composite, with fruity notes of blackberry, cherry, strawberry and red fruit jam and spicy aromas reminiscent of cinnamon, vanilla, green pepper.
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Price: £34.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbera, 1978
Fontanafredda
Barbera is a wine of prestige, rich colors that refer generally to the ruby purple, just what clothes cardinals; the bouquet is ample and composite, with fruity notes of blackberry, cherry, strawberry and red fruit jam and spicy aromas reminiscent of cinnamon, vanilla, green pepper.
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1978
Bersano - Riserva, Piedmont
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Barolo, 1978
New
Giordano, Piedmont
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £169 | Now £99 - Save £70
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
more >>>
Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1978
Bersano
Clearance Offer due to badly damaged label | Was £119 | Now £85
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
more >>>
Price: £85.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1978
Cav. 1901
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
more >>>
Price: £149.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Blandys, 1978
Vintage Terrantez Madeira
***97 points- Decanter- Best in Show- 2023***
1978 Blandy's Terrantez
Tasting Notes
Colour . Mahogany with golden-green hue Aroma . Very characteristic bouquet, exuberant aroma with notes of exotic spice, camphor, varnishes, cedar, tobacco leaf. Mouth . Also very characteristic with a sweet attack, becoming very ethereal giving the sensation of spicy and dry, leaving a very long, fresh and dry aftertaste with spicy notes such as curry, saffron and burnt resinous woods.
About Blandy's 1978 Terrantez
An exceptionally rare medium rich single vintage Madeira aged for 44 years in 650cl casks at the Blandy’s lodge in Funchal. …
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Price: £269.00
Stock: 18 in Stock
Blandys, 1978
Vintage Terrantez Madeira
37.5cl Bottle
***97 points- Best in Show- 2023***
1978 Blandy's Terrantez
Tasting Notes
Colour . Mahogany with golden-green hue Aroma . Very characteristic bouquet, exuberant aroma with notes of exotic spice, camphor, varnishes, cedar, tobacco leaf. Mouth . Also very characteristic with a sweet attack, becoming very ethereal giving the sensation of spicy and dry, leaving a very long, fresh and dry aftertaste with spicy notes such as curry, saffron and burnt resinous woods.
About Blandy's 1978 Terrantez
An exceptionally rare medium rich single vintage Madeira aged for 44 years in 650cl casks at the Blandy’s lodge in Funchal. …
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Price: £159.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Blandys, 1978
Vintage Terrantez Madeira
150cl Magnum Bottle
***97 points- Best in Show-DWWA 2023***
1978 Blandy's Terrantez
Tasting Notes
Colour . Mahogany with golden-green hue Aroma . Very characteristic bouquet, exuberant aroma with notes of exotic spice, camphor, varnishes, cedar, tobacco leaf. Mouth . Also very characteristic with a sweet attack, becoming very ethereal giving the sensation of spicy and dry, leaving a very long, fresh and dry aftertaste with spicy notes such as curry, saffron and burnt resinous woods.
About Blandy's 1978 Terrantez
An exceptionally rare medium rich single vintage Madeira aged for 44 years in 650cl casks at the Blandy’s lodge in Funchal. …
more >>>
Price: £525.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Bordeaux, 1978
Chateau Prince Larquey
Bordeaux, in the south-west of France, needs little introduction to anyone with an interest in wine. One of the world's most prolific wine regions, it also manages to rank among the most famous and prestigious. The secrets of Bordeaux's wine success (other than magical Bordeaux Blend) are its three trump cards: diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines are the dry, medium-bodied reds that made the region famous.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 9 in Stock
Bordeaux, 1978
Chateau Balan
Bordeaux, in the south-west of France, needs little introduction to anyone with an interest in wine. One of the world's most prolific wine regions, it also manages to rank among the most famous and prestigious. The secrets of Bordeaux's wine success (other than magical Bordeaux Blend) are its three trump cards: diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines are the dry, medium-bodied reds that made the region famous.
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 10 in Stock
Brunello di Montalcino, 1978
Mogavero
Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £169 | Now £99 | Save £70
Brunello de Montalcino is one of Italys most famous and most expensive red wines. It is produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino located about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Florence in the Tuscany wine region. Brunello, roughly translated as "nice dark one" is the unofficial name of the clone of Sangiovese used in production.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Brunello di Montalcino, 1978
Poggio Antico
Sale | Was £129 | Now £99
Brunello de Montalcino is one of Italys most famous and most expensive red wines. It is produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino located about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Florence in the Tuscany wine region. Brunello, roughly translated as "nice dark one" is the unofficial name of the clone of Sangiovese used in production.
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Cabernet, 1978
Giovanni Polo Morassutti
An Italian red wine made by blending the international grape varieties merlot and cabernet. 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: £49.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chateau Batailley, 1978
Pauillac 5th Growth Classification
Château Batailley, a fifth-growth estate in Bordeaux's Pauillac appellation, has a longstanding reputation for producing robust and age-worthy wines. The 1978 vintage, while not among the most celebrated years, has matured gracefully over the decades, offering a unique tasting experience for enthusiasts of aged Bordeaux.
Tasting notes from this vintage reveal a wine that has developed classic aged claret characteristics. Earthy notes, tobacco, and moss are prominent on the nose, indicative of its maturity. On the palate, it presents as quite light and elegant, showcasing the subtlety that can come with extended aging. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Belgrave, 1978
Haut-Medoc, 5th Growth Classification
The 1978 Château Belgrave hails from a vintage that saw a cool, wet spring followed by a hot and dry summer, leading to uneven ripening across Bordeaux. As a fifth-growth estate in the Haut-Médoc, Château Belgrave has long been known for its classic Bordeaux blends, primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. While some 1978 Bordeaux wines showed promise in their youth, their longevity has varied depending on storage conditions and individual château vinification styles.
At nearly 50 years old, the 1978 Château Belgrave has likely developed complex, aged characteristics, with earthy, leathery, and dried fruit notes taking center stage. …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau d'Issan, 1978
Margaux 3me Cru Classe Bin soiled labels Sale Offer | Bin Soiled Labels | was £129 | Now £75
From the good 1978 vintage, this wine still has a quite dark colour with a moderate amount of age showing
around the rim. The bouquet is a little earthy at first but reveals some complexity. The taste is much better than the bouquet reavealing some typical cassis fruit and medium length finish.
Château d'Issan stands as a historic wine estate located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France. With a legacy spanning over 800 years, the estate has garnered recognition for producing exceptional red wines. Encompassing around 44 hectares, the vineyard benefits from a diverse terroir of gravelly and sandy soils, ideal for nurturing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. …
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Price: £75.00
Stock: 3 in Stock