1981 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations:
Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1981 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1981 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 1981 vintage ranged in quality, with many regions producing excellent wines, but few stood out as truly exceptional. In France, Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Loire, Alsace and the Rhône Valley all enjoyed good years but the vintage for Sauternes and Champagne was lackluster and poor for Burgundy. The rest of Europe was also a mixed bag, with Piedmont suffering a particularly bad year while Tuscany excelled. Spain, Germany and Austria all enjoyed good but not great years and both Port and Tokaj produced some nice wines. Any of these wines would make a fabulous 44 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
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Bordeaux: 1981 was a very good vintage for Bordeaux wines that was overlooked in favour of the outstanding 1982 Vinatge. Although July was cool, the fruit ripened well through a warm and dry August and September. The harvest began under good conditions in the very last days of September but was hampered by rain in the first two weeks of October, leading to a dilution of the grape juice. Nevertheless, reliable chateaux still managed to fashion some stylish, classic wines, with medium body and good structure.
Italian: The good 1981 Italian vintage produced a large crop of consistent wines. The best examples from Tuscany and Piedmont are now at their peak of their maturity, and will offer a good drinking experience.
Portugal: No vintage port was made in 1981. Our recommendation would be for a 1981 Colheita port from 1981. Kopke are renowned for their colheita and this would make a wonderful gift for a Birthday or Anniversary this year.
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29 products found.
Nobile di Montepulciano, 1981
Cantucci
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: £79.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Taittinger, 1981
Vintage Champagne Arman Label
Taittinger Collection Arman 1981
Vintage & Artist Edition Background
The 1981 Arman edition is part of Taittinger’s Collection Series, their line of vintage Champagnes paired with distinctive artwork. The artist for this bottle is Arman, famous for his “accumulations” and works involving musical instruments, violins, etc., which is echoed in the label design. Though vintage 1981 had one of the smaller harvests post-WWII, it benefited from a warm August and favourable conditions that allowed high ripeness in the grapes.
Blend & Style
This is a Brut Millésimé made from roughly 60% Pinot Noir from the Grands Crus of Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne, and 40% Chardonnay from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs. …
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Price: £395.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Suduiraut, 1981
Sauternes 1er Grand Cru Classe
A Refined Milestone from Sauternes
The 1981 Château Suduiraut, Premier Grand Cru Classé, stands as a testament to the estate’s enduring excellence. Now over 40 years old, its golden-amber color hints at the depth and elegance that decades in bottle have achieved. Crafted near Château d’Yquem, this wine benefits from Suduiraut’s prized terroir and meticulous focus on noble rot, delivering a rare and graceful aged dessert wine.
Layered Aromatics & Flavors
Expect an enchanting nose combining candied apricot, honey, citrus peel, and floral nuances, gently intertwined with toasted nuts, saffron, and beeswax. …
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Price: £89.95
Stock: Out of Stock
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1981
Jean Astier
The 1982 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape was marked by a warm, ripe growing season—yielding wines that were generous and approachable early on, yet capable of graceful aging. After more than four decades in bottle, this wine offers a deeply gratifying glimpse into the matured, old-school style of Southern Rhône winemaking.
This 1982 Jean Astier Châteauneuf-du-Pape pours with a deep garnet core and gently brick-tinged edges. The nose unfolds with heady aromas of dried cherry, leather, baked herbs, and incense. On the palate, it presents lifted, nuanced fruit—think stewed plum and fig—woven together with tobacco, Provençal garrigue, and a hint of gamey complexity. …
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Price: £89.95
Stock: Out of Stock