As a sommelier and brewer, I have had the pleasure of tasting and evaluating many different vintages of champagne, including the 2000 vintage. I would say that the 2000 Champagne vintage was quite good, although it did have its challenges.
The growing season started off with a dry spring, which can be beneficial for the grapes as it helps to prevent diseases. However, this was followed by bouts of hail in both June and July. Hail can be devastating for vineyards, causing damage to the vines, leaves, and grapes. This resulted in some vineyard plots experiencing significant losses and reduced yields.
Despite the challenges, the weather took a turn for the better in August. The month was warm and steady, with plenty of sunshine, which is crucial for the ripening process of the grapes. This period of favorable weather lasted through to the September harvest, allowing the grapes to reach optimal maturity.
The combination of warm temperatures and ample sunshine during this crucial period resulted in grapes with good sugar levels and balanced acidity. These are important factors in producing high-quality champagne. The resulting wines from the 2000 vintage are generally well-structured, with a good level of complexity and depth.
One of the things that I particularly enjoy about the 2000 Champagne vintage is its approachability. While some vintages may require years of aging to reach their full potential, the 2000 vintage is already showing well in its youth. The wines have a beautiful combination of fruitiness and elegance, making them enjoyable to drink now.
It is worth noting that not all champagne houses and vineyards fared equally well in 2000. The impact of the hailstorms varied depending on the location and the measures taken by each producer to mitigate the damage. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific champagne producer and cuvée when evaluating the overall quality of the 2000 vintage.
The 2000 Champagne vintage can be considered good overall. Despite the challenges posed by hail, the warm and sunny weather during the crucial ripening period resulted in grapes with good sugar levels and balanced acidity. The resulting wines are well-structured, complex, and already enjoyable to drink. However, it is important to consider the specific producer and cuvée when assessing the quality of the vintage.