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1980 Wine and Port Vintage

 
Vintage Summary and Recommendations:


1980-wine-gifts

Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1980 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1980 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 1980 vintage was not a great one overall, with few hits across the wine world and even then it never quite went above being strictly average. The biggest disappointments lay in the Old World, particularly in the French regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, which saw very few great wines produced. Although some good Rhône Valley, Spanish and Port wines were made. Any of these wines would make a fabulous 45 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.


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

  • Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac 1980 Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
  • Bodegas Toro Albala 1980 Don PX Seleccion
  • Quinta Das Carvalhas 1980 Colheita Port – with gift tube
  • Barolo 1980 Giordano

  •  
    This Year in History: Fun Fact: Tennis player Venus Williams was born.
    Eurovision Winner: Ireland with the song "What's Another Year" by Johnny Logan
    Top Grossing Movie: Star Wars Ep. V: The Empire Strikes Back
     
    Bordeaux: The 1980 wine vintage produced wines of variable quality from Bordeaux. A very wet, cool year resulted in wines that were light and diluted. Nevertheless, some producers who operated a strict selection policy still managed to produce acceptable wines.
     
    Champagne: In Champagne, the 1980 is an exceptionally fine, rich vintage.
     
    Italian: 1980 for Italian wines was a very good year. The wines are generally quite consistent and there are some great Barolo wines from Piedmont. The wines have reached full maturity but will last for a few more years.
     
    Portugal: The 1980 Port vintage is rated as outstanding and was generally declared vintage. Over time the 1980 Ports have been hugely under-rated book-ended by the great 1977 and large abundant 1983 and 1985 vintages. This vintage is ready now but will continue to develop and keep for decades, making them the perfect wine gift for a birthday or anniversary. An unusually early spring was followed by an extremely dry growing season and sugar readings were on the low side when picking began a week or so later than normal, at the end of September.

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    45 products found.

    Franciacorta, 1980

    Catturich

    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: 8 in Stock

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    Jacob Gerhardt Neirsteiner Schlosskellerein, 1980

    Jacob Gerhardt Neirsteiner Schlosskellerein, Auslese Rheinhessen
    Sweet White Wine

    The 1980 Eiswein is a sweet dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. The sugars and other dissolved solids do not freeze, but the water does, allowing for a more concentrated grape juice to develop.

    The high residual sugar concentration give these wines great ageing properties - we tasted this bottle over two days. Served chilled from the fridge after a 4 hour decant. The colour is a light-amber with green tinge around the rim of the glass. Fresher than another bottle from a different region. There are honey notes, apricots and sultana notes on the nose.
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    Price: £99.95
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Lago di Caldaro, 1980

    G. Kettmeir
    Clearance Offer | Was £89.95 | Now £50

    1980 Lago di Caldaro (Kalterersee) – G. Kettmeir (Alto Adige, Italy)

    A rare, fully mature Schiava/Vernatsch from the shores of Lake Caldaro—perfumed, feather-light and savoury. Pale brick-garnet with a tawny rim; aromas of dried strawberry and redcurrant, rosehip, almond and orange peel, with tea leaf, cedar and a gentle spice/herbal lift. Light-bodied and silky on the palate: lively alpine acidity carries red-berry fruit, dried herbs and a hint of amaretti; tannins are ultra-fine and resolved. The finish is delicate, tapering and graceful with rosehip, citrus zest and soft spice.

    Producer note: G.
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    Price: £50.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Madeira, 1980

    di Savorgnana, Podere del Sole

    ChatGPT said:

    1980 Madeira – di Savorgnana, Podere del Sole (Madeira, Portugal)

    A rare, fully mature vintage Madeira bottled for di Savorgnana / Podere del Sole, showing the island’s hallmark tension between luscious sweetness and tangy, sea-breeze freshness. Deep amber–mahogany with a burnished rim. The nose is gloriously complex: orange marmalade and candied peel, Medjool date and fig, toasted almond and walnut, caramel/treacle and brûlée crust, with classic rancio tones of varnished oak, iodine and salt toffee.

    Silky yet electric on the palate. Layers of candied citrus, raisin and toffee are cut by rapier acidity;
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    Price: £89.95
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Montepulciano, 1980

    d'Abruzzo, Vecchio Colle

    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: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Montepulciano, 1980

    d'Abbruzo, Casal Thaulero - 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: £195.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Nebbiolo, 1980

    Giovanni Scanavino
    Clearance Offer | Damaged Label as Pictured | Was £99 | Now £60

    1980 Nebbiolo – Giovanni Scanavino (Piedmont, Italy)

    A fully mature, classical Nebbiolo that favours perfume and savoury finesse. Brick-garnet with a broad tawny rim, the bouquet lifts with dried cherry and cranberry, rose petal and violet, cedar, leather and sweet tobacco, with hints of orange peel, tea leaf and a gentle tar/balsamic note. Mid-weight and silken on the palate: lively, old-world acidity carries red-cherry fruit, dried herbs and subtle underbrush; tannins are fine and resolved. The finish is long and tapering with cherry skin, cedar spice and dried flowers.

    Producer note: Bottled by Giovanni Scanavino,
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    Price: £60.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Nebbiolo D'Alba, 1980

    Poderi Scanavino

    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: £79.00
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Nobile di Montepulciano, 1980

    Cantina di Montepulciano - Riserva

    1980 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Cantina di Montepulciano, Riserva (Tuscany, Italy)

    A fully mature, classically styled Riserva that favours perfume and savoury finesse over power. Brick-garnet with a broad tawny rim, it opens on dried cherry and amarena, rose petal and cedar, with sweet tobacco, leather and hints of orange peel and black tea. The palate is mid-weight and silken: lively, old-school acidity carries savoury red-cherry fruit, dried herbs and a gentle balsamic note; tannins are fine and resolved. The finish is long and tapering with cherry skin, cedar spice and dried flowers.
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    Price: £79.00
    Stock: 2 in Stock

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    Nobile di Montepulciano, 1980

    Fattoria di Fognano - Riserva
    Clearance Offer | Was £79 Special Offer £39

    Nobile di Montepulciano is a red wine with a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita status produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montepulciano, Italy. The wine is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape varietal (known locally as Prugnolo gentile) (minimum 70%), blended with Canaiolo Nero (10%–20%) and small amounts of other local varieties such as Mammolo. The wine is aged for 2 years (at least 1 year in oak barrels); three years if it is a riserva.
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    Price: £39.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Nobile di Montepulciano, 1980

    Fanetti - Riserva

    1980 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Fanetti, Riserva (Tuscany, Italy)

    A fully mature, classically styled Riserva showing perfume and savoury finesse. Brick-garnet with a broad tawny rim, it opens on dried cherry and amarena, rose petal and cedar, with sweet tobacco, leather and hints of orange peel and black tea. Mid-weight and silken on the palate: lively, old-school acidity carries savoury red-cherry fruit, dried herbs and a gentle balsamic/underbrush note; tannins are fine and resolved. The finish is long and tapering with cherry skin, cedar spice and dried flowers.

    Producer note: Fanetti is one of Montepulciano’s historic families,
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    Price: £59.95
    Stock: 13 in Stock

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    Ramos Pinto, 1980

    Vintage Port

    A 1980 Ramos Pinto Port is also likely to be a fantastic choice. The 1980 vintage is highly regarded for port wines, and Ramos Pinto is a respected producer, so you're probably in for a treat.

    Vintage ports from 1980 often display intense flavors of dark fruits, such as blackberry, plum, and cherry, along with notes of chocolate, spices, and sometimes even a hint of tobacco. These wines typically have a velvety texture and a long, satisfying finish.

    A 1980 Ramos Pinto Port would be perfect for sipping on its own after a meal or paired with rich desserts like chocolate truffles or a flourless chocolate cake.
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    Price: £129.00
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Recioto, 1980

    Tommasi

    1980 Recioto della Valpolicella – Tommasi (Veneto, Italy)

    A rare, fully mature sweet red from air-dried Corvina, Rondinella & Molinara—silky, hedonistic and beautifully poised. Deep mahogany-garnet with a tawny rim. The nose is sumptuous and layered: amarena cherry, dried fig and plum, blood-orange peel, cocoa and espresso, with walnut brittle, sweet spice and a gentle balsamic/cedar lift. The palate is rich yet refined—candied cherry and date wrapped in dark chocolate and kirsch; acidity still bright, tannins melted to velvet. Long, warming finish of cacao, orange zest and spiced cherry.

    Producer note: Tommasi is one of Valpolicella’s historic families,
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    Price: £149.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Rosso, 1980

    Rapitalia - Gatinais, Sicily, Italy

    1980 Rosso – Rapitalà (Gatinais) (Sicily, Italy)

    A fully mature, old-school Sicilian red showing perfume and savoury finesse. Brick-garnet with a tawny rim, it opens on dried cherry and strawberry, blood-orange peel, rose and dried herbs, with cedar, leather, sweet tobacco and a gentle balsamic/underbrush note. Mid-weight and silken on the palate: lively Mediterranean acidity carries red-fruit, chinotto and a touch of dried fig; tannins are fine and resolved. The finish is long and tapering with cherry skin, orange zest and soft spice.

    Producer note: Tenuta Rapitalà was revitalised in the late 1960s by Count Hugues Bernard de la Gatinais,
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 1 in Stock

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    Sizzano, 1980

    Francesco Fontana Alto Piemonte
    Clearance Offer Was £69
    Now £35

    A Historic Nebbiolo Blend from Alto Piemonte
    The 1980 Sizzano Francesco Fontana offers a rare and authentic glimpse into Alto Piemonte’s traditional winemaking. Sizzano is a historic DOC in northern Piedmont, where Nebbiolo (known locally as Spanna) is typically blended with smaller amounts of Vespolina and Uva Rara to create a more approachable, fragrant style. Francesco Fontana’s bottling embodies the rustic elegance and age-worthy character that this area is celebrated for.

    A Vintage with Subtle Elegance
    The 1980 vintage in northern Piedmont was cooler and more challenging, resulting in wines with higher acidity, moderate alcohol, and more delicate structure.
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    Price: £35.00
    Stock: 4 in Stock

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    Vei Cavour (Piemonte), 1980

    Giordano

    Aged red wine. Selected red grapes produce this lively and elegant wine with an intense red colour and subtle orange tones. Its soft velvety bouquet results from a period of maturation in Slavonian oak barrels, ensuring a full and rounded taste.
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    Price: £69.00
    Stock: 3 in Stock

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    Vin Santo, 1980

    Frescobaldi

    Vino Santo has been made in Tuscany since at least medieval times, and was probably named 'holy wine' because of its use during the Mass. Antinori has been making vinsanto for centuries. A dessert wine bright yellow in colour with amber hues. Generous, complex aromas with hints of honey and dried fruit. A well-structured, pleasantly sweet and lingering flavour.
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    Price: £99.00
    Stock: 11 in Stock

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    Rioja, 1980

    Conde de la Salceda Gran Reserva

    A rare and distinguished Gran Reserva from the 1980 vintage. This mature Rioja offers a classic bouquet of dried cherry, cedar, tobacco, and earthy spice, with a smooth palate showing mellow red fruit, leather, and balsamic warmth. Elegant and fully evolved, with a long, savoury finish.
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    Price: £75.00
    Stock: Out of Stock

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    Rioja, 1980

    Berberana- Gran reserva-
    Rioja

    Founded in 1877, Bodegas Berberana is one of Rioja’s oldest and most traditional houses, producing age-worthy wines with long barrel and bottle maturation. Gran Reserva bottlings are only made in strong vintages and spend several years in oak before release, built for decades of cellaring.

    Tasting Note: Tawny-garnet in colour with a fading rim. Mature aromas of dried strawberry, leather, vanilla, cedar, and tobacco leaf. On the palate, smooth and resolved, with silky tannins, dried fruit, earthy spice, and a gentle balsamic edge. The finish is elegant, savoury, and long.
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    Price: £59.95
    Stock: Out of Stock

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    Warre's Vintage Port, 1980

    Vintage Port

    An outstanding 30 year old port just reaching full maturity. Reviews: Wine Spectator, October 1988 “Excellent Port from an overlooked vintage”. Malcolm Gluck, The Guardian, 23rd December 1995 “Overwhelmingly fruity and flowing. Beautiful, round and smooth. Quite exceptional”. WINE, December 2001 93 Points “The best colour thus far with a rich peppery nose and a meaty, complex long finish. Excellent”. Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine, Published 2002 Four Stars (Very Good) “Best wine of the evening…Still very deep; fragrant; extraordinarily dense, figgy flavour and impressive, very dry finish”.
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    Price: £89.00
    Stock: Out of Stock

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