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1979 Wine and Port Vintage

Vintage Summary and Recommendations: 1979-port
Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1979 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1979 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!

1979 was a year of mostly average-to-good wine produced throughout the world, with a few truly stand-out regions. Bordeaux suffered a large, overly tannic vintage but there still might be one or two surprises lurking there – you will have to look hard for them though. Burgundy, however, was a different story and enjoyed a good vintage. Champagne and Alsace were both good but the real star for France was the Rhône. For Italy, the wines of Tuscany were the best. The Port vintage was generally good, despite not many producers declaring, and there are almost guaranteed to be some good LBV wines drinking well.

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

  • 1979 Kopke Colheita Port
  • Barbaresco 1979 Giordano
  • Chateau Chasse Spleen 1979 Moulis en Medoc
  • Messias 1979 Quinta Cachao Vintage Port

  •  
    This Year in History: Fun Fact: Board game Trivial Pursuit is launched.
    Eurovision Winner: Israel with the song "Hallelujah" by Milk and Honey
    Born in this Year: Jonny Wilkinson, Rugby Player, English rugby star who played fly-half for Toulon and England's national team. He wrote about the Six Nations tournaments and Rugby World Cups for The Times in 2011. He helped England win the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
    Top Grossing Movie: Moonraker
     
    Bordeaux: Initially overlooked in preference to the 1978 Vintage, 1979 was one of the very few cool years that produced a good vintage for Bordeaux. The wines were initially very tannic and acidic but after four decades of cellaring the wines have matured nicely and are now at their peak. They will remain so for years to come.
     
    Italian: 1979 is a very good wine vintage. Good growing conditions particularly in Tuscany and Piedmont produced rich, full bodied wines.
     
    Portugal: A Vintage Port from 1979 makes an excellent 44 year old wine gift for a 44th birthday or anniversary. Still drinking well, 1979 ports are part of a span of good vintages from 1977 to 1980. A very wet winter was followed by a dry hot summer and no rainfall from late June until 18th September. The crop was large and produced many quite good straight forward single-quinta wines that are now mature but will keep well for years.

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    34 products found.

    Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac, 1979

    Ryst Dupeyron Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
    50cl bottle

    The Armagnac Joseph Millésime 1979 represents a distinctive snapshot of the 1979 harvest and the traditional methods of Armagnac production. With careful aging, it offers a rich and complex drinking experience that showcases the depth and character of the Armagnac region.

    Tasting Notes
    Expect flavours typical of well-aged Armagnac, such as prunes, figs, and apricots, spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg, nuts, and possibly floral or woody undertones. The specific profile can vary based on the conditions of the 1979 growing season and the aging process.

    Serving & Food Pairing
    Armagnac is traditionally enjoyed neat, allowing you to fully appreciate its complexity.
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    Price: $115.70 USD
    Stock: 6 in Stock

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    Messias, 1979

    Quinta Cachao Vintage Port

    A true rarity, these 1979 Vintage Ports are a special release from the Messias Cellars in Porto where they have been laying undisturbed since original bottling. A wonderful mature port from a vintage that is not often seen and is scarcely available these days.

    Tasting Notes:
    The 1979 Messias Cachao port is fully mature with a tawny colour. This bottle was decanted 4 hours prior to tasting. On the nose there are notes of molasses, honey and butterscotch. On the palate there is a good balance, and an elevated acidity that balances the sweetness. Notes of walnut and hazelnut on the palate as well as a little coffee and molasses.
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    Price: $172.25 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Barbacarlo, 1979

    Fiamberti
    Clearance Offer | was £69 | 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: $39.00 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Barbaresco, 1979

    M. Mascarello & Figli

    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: $180.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Barbaresco, 1979

    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: $180.70 USD
    Stock: 6 in Stock

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    Barbaresco, 1979

    Sale

    Pelissero Luigi
    Special Offer | was £139 | 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: $128.70 USD
    Stock: 22 in Stock

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    Barbaresco, 1979

    Montebello della Torre

    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: $128.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Barbera del Monferrato, 1979

    Mellana

    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: $76.70 USD
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Barolo, 1979

    Cav. Luigi Cauda, Piedmont
    *** Clearance Offer | Was £149 | Now £79 ***

    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: $102.70 USD
    Stock: 7 in Stock

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    Barolo, 1979

    Giordano, 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: $128.70 USD
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Brunello di Montalcino, 1979

    Val di Suga

    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: $167.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Cabernet, 1979

    Villa dal Ferro
    Clearance Offer | was £59 | now £30

    A classic red Italian wine made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. The wine has aged to produce a garnet core with a clear rim. Lots of oak, leather and soft tannins remain.
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    Price: $39.00 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Cabernet, 1979

    Cavit, CABERNET
    *** MAGNUM BOTTLE ***

    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: $154.70 USD
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Dolcetto, 1979

    Marchesi di Barolo
    Clearance Offer | was £69 | 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: $39.00 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto d'Alba, 1979

    G. Troglia

    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: $76.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto d'Alba, 1979

    Marchesi di Barolo - Riserva

    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: $102.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Dolcetto d'Alba, 1979

    M. Mascarello

    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: $76.70 USD
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Fara, 1979

    Colli Novaresi

    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: $89.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Franconia, 1979

    New

    Dorino Livon
    Clearance Offer | was £59 | now £25

    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: $32.50 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Frei Joao, 1979

    Frei Joao - Reserva, Bairrada - MAGNUM

    Caves S. Joao, established in 1920, became a dominant force in Portuguese wine making in the early 20th century with their houses Porta dos Cavaleiros in Dao and Frei Joao in Bairrada. Given the shifting trends in consumer preferences, Bairrada and Dao fell to obscurity in the 1990s when critical influence drove the demand for bigger, extracted, warmer climate wines. As in all things, however, what comes around goes around! Sure enough, 20 years later savvy consumers and food-conscious sommeliers are looking for finesse and freshness and heading back to Bairrada and Dao. Wines that when young had a vegetal character,
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    Price: $193.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Grumello, 1979

    Nera
    Clearance Offer | was £69 | now £30

    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: $39.00 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Lagrein, 1979

    Barone de Cles

    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: $76.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Montepulciano, 1979

    d'Abruzzo, Rosso della Quercia - Casa Canditella

    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: $58.50 USD
    Stock: 9 in Stock

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    Rossese, 1979

    Sale

    di Albenga, Vairo
    Clearance Offer | was £59 | now £25

    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: $32.50 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Sangiovese di Romagna, 1979

    F.lli Bartolini

    Good-quality Sangiovese is prized for its high acid, firm tannins and balanced nature. Savory flavors of dark cherries and black stone fruit are characteristic, and may be backed by secondary notes of tomato leaf and dried herbs. The use of oak has become more popular and this coaxes richer flavors from the grapes, tending toward plum and wild raspberry.
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    Price: $76.70 USD
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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