1952

1952 despite the war in Korea Americans considered themselves to be prospering with average worker earning $3,400 per year, a college teacher could expect to earn $5,100 per year . Three out of 5 families owned a car, 2 out of 3 families now had a telephone, 1 in 3 homes had a television. The average woman in America would be married by 20 years of age looking forward to raising a family but few continued with a career after children were born...

Bordeaux by Tb: The recovery after the Second World War was slow and winegrowers had many challenges to overcome. Their production facilities were in poor condition and there was no capital for investments. However, thanks to several large harvests, the period from 1945 to 1961 produced some of the most heralded Bordeaux wines ever made. 1952 is on equal footing to finish on the list of the greatest vintages of the time, among 1945, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1953 and 1959.

In 1952, the season began with a moderately warm and dry spring. The summer months from June to the end of August were dry with an average daily temperature of 20.5C. The temperature climbed above 30°C in 29 days. Unfortunately, Mother Nature turned her back on producers at the very end of the season. The rain and the cold arrived on September 4 and for example in Pauillac, it rained for 22 days. The rain partially diluted the harvest and, due to the cold, the phenolic maturity of late-ripening varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon was left slightly short. Thus, the left bank, dominated by cabernet sauvignon, fared less well than the right bank, where early-ripening merlot dominates. On the other hand, the right bank avoided the worst rains of September and producers like Cheval Blanc with Cabernet Franc oriented wines, were able to harvest their harvest at the same time in mid-September in better conditions than their colleagues from the left Bank.

In our experience, the best wines of the vintage were Cheval Blanc, Pétrus, l’Eglise-Clinet and La Mission Haut-Brion. However, we have been amazed from time to time by the lesser known St-Emilions of this vintage. If we compare the prices versus the quality of these wines, we can conclude them as the great finds of 1950s Bordeaux that most still drink well if the bottles have been restored properly. To get the most out of these wines, be sure to decant them fifteen minutes before serving, as they do not handle air as well as the best vintages.

As with the 1950s, the 1952 Bordeaux also suffered from harsh tannins in its youth. After a long maturation in the bottle, this vintage turned out to be an excellent find. The warm spring and early summer resulted in ideal germination. The hot, dry season lasted until September, bringing colder temperatures and rain. This change in weather dashes hopes of what originally appeared to be a great crop year. Conversely, the rains removed any fear of overly concentrated grapes. End-of-year weather conditions had a pronounced effect on slower-ripening Cabernets. It is therefore the Médoc which suffered the most.

The wines from Pomerol and Saint-Émilion made from Merlot were able to mature very well; Indeed, the best wines of that year came from the right bank. Excellent wines were also produced in Graves. Because the very tannic character of Médoc wines has softened over the decades, the wines are extraordinarily drinkable at the moment. The finest examples could do with additional guarding. Château Lafleur and La-Mission-Haut-Brion are the best wines of this vintage. The Pétrus and Trotanoy vineyards come in second place.

BURGUNDY / Firm, well-constituted; more attractive than in Bordeaux. The terrible growing season of the previous year affected the vines, which only produced a small crop. June was dry, and after some rains hot weather arrived in July and August. September was fairly cool, with rains which reduced the quality from a potentially exceptional vintage.

Structured wines in both colours; those of the best terroirs still offer pleasure and will keep. Some great white wines from Corton Charlemagne and Montrachet have maintained their vigour and strength.

Australia / Above average growing season rainfall followed by dry ripening conditions in February and March.

Bush vines were very popular and recommended for Mataro, Grenache and Pedro. Low trellis spur pruning was recommended for Muscat, Gordo, White Frontignac, Red Frontignac and Palomino while low trellis rod pruning was recommended for Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, Riesling and Tokay.

Trellises were normally 20- 24 inches above the ground with one fruiting wire and one foliage wire.

Vines were planted in wide rows (3.6 metres) and vine spacings were also wide (1.8m or 2.2m vines) to allow ease of access by machinery and preserve moisture.

The development of new fungicides and insecticides such as Thiram were introduced to control black spot.

Grape marc was first introduced as a fertiliser and autumn applications of superphosphate became popular on furrow irrigated vines.

For the first time since World war II there was a grape surplus in the Barossa for most varieties. In some cases this was the result of competition from lower priced Riverland fruit.