1988 Spain

Rioja's Tempranillo was the most successful variety in what was otherwise a middling vintage thanks to an uncharacteristically damp spring.

Drought conditions in the winter were followed by a damp spring with damaging hailstroms during the flowering, with yields significantly reduced. The main issue stemmed from mildew in May, followed by botrytis in June. July and August were by contrast hot and dry - conditions that helped fight off  mildew and save the vintage.