Frost, hail and pests have the effect of destroying fruit, resulting in rotting grapes. The above usually applies to northern Europe. In southern Europe and many New World countries, adversity and affliction of the above seldom occurs. The climate is often ideal during the grape-growing season, and so there is not a great difference between a good year and a mediocre one. However, the mediocre years in northern Europe should not be written off.
Different vintages serve different purposes.
Any of them accompanies good food and good company at reasonable prices. Because the grape flavours were not as concentrated as those of 1990, the resulting wines were styled for early drinking. Their subdued fruit, light tannins and subtle flavours render them more approachable too. Another reason not to ignore so-called middling vintages is that in such years, the reputations of the best chateaux are made. It has been always said that any winemaker can make great wine with an extraordinary harvest but the true talent of a winemaker is revealed when making good wine with less than perfect grapes.