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1978 Wine and Port Vintage

Vintage Summary and Recommendations: 1979-port
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:

  • Barbaresco 1978 Giordano
  • Blandys 1978 Vintage Terrantez Madeira
  • Bordeaux 1978 Chateau Prince Larquey
  • Chateau dIssan 1978 Margaux 3me Cru Classe
  • Dao 1978 Porta dos Cavaleiros
  • Montepulciano 1978 dAbruzzo Bosco Nestore

  •  
    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.

    Chateau Pape Clement, 1978

    Pessac-Leognan Cru Classe

    With a vibrant medium garnet colour the 1978 Pape Clement shows a lifted bouquet of spice, graphite, subtle tobacco and dried herbs. On the palate blackcurrant, plum and sour cherry interwoven with subtle dried herbs, tobacco and earth. Smooth and seamless mid-palate with lively acidity and a long and satisfying finish with hints of menthol and fine grain tannins. At its peak now.

    About Chateau Pape Clement Château Pape Clément, located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, France, is one of the oldest Grands Crus vineyards in the region, with a history dating back to the 13th century.
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    Price: £89.95
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Chateau Raymond-Lafon, 1978

    Sauternes

    The 1978 Château Raymond-Lafon is a lesser-known gem from Sauternes, offering a unique profile compared to other vintages from this sweet wine-producing region. In a year that was challenging for Bordeaux as a whole, Château Raymond-Lafon produced a Sauternes with subtle, refined characteristics. The wine displays golden hues with aromas of honey, dried apricots, marmalade, and a touch of almond. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with flavors of candied citrus, honeyed fruit, and hints of vanilla and spice, showcasing good acidity that keeps it balanced and refreshing.

    While it may lack the opulence of standout Sauternes vintages,
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    Price: £119.00
    Stock: 9 in Stock

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    Chateau Rieussec, 1978

    Sauternes 1er Cru Classe
    Sweet White Wine

    Beautiful copper in colour with bouquet that can fill a room with apricots and gardenia with a hint of ocean breeze. In the mouth it is wonderfully delicious as most desert wines are but what set this apart is it's not so sweet with good firm tannin structure and a bit of honeydew and cinnamon on the back end. Also as with most desert wines the finish lingers for (seemingly) hours and butter, honey, and citrus coating your throat. This wine is absolutely wonderful.

    Château Rieussec, located in the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional sweet wines.
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    Price: £129.00
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Chateau Rieussec, 1978

    Sauternes 1er Cru Classe
    Sweet White Wine

    Beautiful copper in colour with bouquet that can fill a room with apricots and gardenia with a hint of ocean breeze. In the mouth it is wonderfully delicious as most desert wines are but what set this apart is it's not so sweet with good firm tannin structure and a bit of honeydew and cinnamon on the back end. Also as with most desert wines the finish lingers for (seemingly) hours and butter, honey, and citrus coating your throat. This wine is absolutely wonderful.

    Château Rieussec, located in the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional sweet wines.
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    Price: £119.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Chianti, 1978

    Caseiaoli Special Offer | Was £79| Now £45

    Tuscan wine (Italian Toscana) is Italian wine from the Tuscany region. Located in central Italy along the Tyrrhenian coast, Tuscany is home to some of the world's most notable wine regions. 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: £45.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Chianti, 1978

    Castelgreve

    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: £69.00
    Stock: 3 in Stock

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    Chianti, 1978

    Podere Petroio alla Via della Malpensata

    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: £99.00
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Chianti, 1978

    Santa Cristina - Antinori

    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: £99.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Corvo, 1978

    Salaparuta
    Clearance Offer | was £69 | now £30

    Corvo, a classic Sicilian wine, is produced from Sicilian vines cultivated on warm, sunny hills. Aged in oak barrels it is distinguished by its round, full-bodied and persistent flavour. Together with Corvo Bianco, Corvo Rosso was the first wine to be bottled in Sicily, back in 1824, and is now the best known red wine in Italy thanks to its excellent quality/price ratio and consistent quality. Extremely versatile, it goes well with grilled and roast meats and medium-aged cheeses.
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    Price: £30.00
    Stock: 3 in Stock

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    Cotes de Bourg, 1978

    Chateau La Grolet

    The 1978 Cotes de Bourg is deep ruby in colour with garnet rim. Some class on the nose, black fruits, leather and white pepper. The palate gives purity of fruit and soft tannins. A very enjoyable and food-worthy claret.
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto, 1978

    Terre del BArolo - MAGNUM 1,5 liters

    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: £99.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto d'Alba, 1978

    Giovanni Scanavino
    Clearance Offer | Was £59 | Now £30

    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: £30.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto d'Alba, 1978

    Casa Vinicola Rossello

    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: £49.00
    Stock: 6 in Stock

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    Donnaz, 1978

    Caves Coop Donnaz

    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: 4 in Stock

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    Etschaler Rot, 1978

    Anton Lindner
    Clearance Offer | Was £69 | Now £34

    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: £34.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Ferreira, 1978

    Ferreira Vintage Port - Cellar Release
    MAGNUM FORMAT 150cl
    Includes Original Wooden Gift Box

    This rare 1978 port wine is an exceptional wine produced from a careful selection of grapes grown on the company's estates.

    Referred to since 1751, Ferreira has always been a synonym for great quality Portuguese wine. The history of the brand is intertwined with the history of the evolution of the Douro Demarcated Region, delimited in 1756, and its Port and still wines. Years later, the family company came under the management of Antónia Adelaide, widow of António Bernardo II.

    Known to be a woman gifted with exceptional energy and a rare commercial talent, she managed to give a great boost to viticulture in the Douro and develop a notable social welfare activity in the region.
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    Price: £495.00
    Stock: 11 in Stock

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    Grignolino, 1978

    Giovanni Scanavino
    Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £79 | Now £50

    The Grignolino wine 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: £50.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Grumello, 1978

    Nera
    Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £89 | Now £50

    Grumello wines are those made under the Valtellina Superiore, specifically from grapes grown in the named Grumello sub-region. Grumello is one of five viticultural sub-zones specifically identified as producing Valtellina wines of particularly high quality: the other four are Inferno, Sassella, Maroggia and Valgella.
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    Price: £50.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Inferno, 1978

    Nino Negri
    Clearance Offer - Last Bottle | Was £89 | Now £45

    Inferno is one of five viticultural sub-zones specifically identified as producing Valtellina wines of particularly high quality: the other four are Grumello, Sassella, Maroggia and Valgella. Inferno means 'hell' in Italian, and refers to the slopes between Sondrio town and the village of Tresivio. Although DOC laws do not explain the origins of this name, it has been suggested that in summer the slopes here get noticeably hotter than the rest of the valley. Just across Sondrio to the west is Sassella, the finest of the Valtellina sub-zones.
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    Price: £45.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Inferno, 1978

    Fratelli Bettini

    Inferno wines from Nino Negri typically exhibit the classic characteristics of Nebbiolo, with aromas of red cherries, raspberries, violets, and dried herbs. On the palate, they are often medium to full-bodied, with firm tannins, bright acidity, and a lingering finish. The wines can age gracefully, developing additional complexity and depth over time.
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Madeira, 1978

    Barbeito Vinhos - Sercial - Frasqueira

    Ricardo Freitas is the managing director and winemaker for Vinhos Barbeito. He grew up surrounded by the magical old vintages of Madeira that his grandfather collected and sold. His winemaking, blending and tasting ability has made him one of the leading figures of winemaking on the island. In fact, none other than the esteemed Jancis Robinson has referred to the wines of Barbeito as "the Lafite of Madeira."

    The 1978 Barbeito Sercial was aged in old French oak casks since February 1979 and bottled in December of 2003. Deep amber in color with a mesmerizing nose of orange peel, almond and smoke.
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    Price: £319.00
    Stock: 9 in Stock

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    Merlot, 1978

    Collio, G. Ferlat
    Clearance Offer | Was £59 | Now £30

    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: £30.00
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Montepulciano, 1978

    d'Abruzzo, Bosco Nestore
    Special Offer | Was £79 | Now £35

    Montepulciano is a red wine grape variety grown widely in central Italy, most notably its eastern Abruzzo, Marche and Molise regions. The variety was named after the Tuscan parish of Montepulciano, but, confusingly, is not used in the famous wines produced there (see Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). Globally appreciated for their soft flavors, strong color and gentle tannins, Montepulciano wines are typically best consumed in their youth and with food. The deep-purple juice of Montepulciano grapes is used in varying proportions to produce wines under roughly 50 of Italy's DOC and DOCG titles. Although sometimes used on its own,
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    Price: £35.00
    Stock: 16 in Stock

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    Montepulciano, 1978

    d'Abruzzo, Miglianico - BIG BOTTLE of 3,78 LITERS

    Montepulciano is a red wine grape variety grown widely in central Italy, most notably its eastern Abruzzo, Marche and Molise regions. The variety was named after the Tuscan parish of Montepulciano, but, confusingly, is not used in the famous wines produced there (see Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). Globally appreciated for their soft flavors, strong color and gentle tannins, Montepulciano wines are typically best consumed in their youth and with food. The deep-purple juice of Montepulciano grapes is used in varying proportions to produce wines under roughly 50 of Italy's DOC and DOCG titles. Although sometimes used on its own,
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    Price: £225.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 1978

    Casal Thaulero

    Montepulciano is a red wine grape variety grown widely in central Italy, most notably its eastern Abruzzo, Marche and Molise regions. The variety was named after the Tuscan parish of Montepulciano, but, confusingly, is not used in the famous wines produced there (see Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). Globally appreciated for their soft flavors, strong color and gentle tannins, Montepulciano wines are typically best consumed in their youth and with food. The deep-purple juice of Montepulciano grapes is used in varying proportions to produce wines under roughly 50 of Italy's DOC and DOCG titles. Although sometimes used on its own,
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    Price: £79.00
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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