Celebrate a 10th anniversary or celebration by giving the perfect bottle of a 2012 vintage wine. Read our 2012 wine guide to help celebrate any special occasion.

10th Anniversary Wines

The 2012 vintage across the globe delivered up a number of wines from a variety of regions that are drinking wonderfully, that will continue to age well for future celebrations  and will make for a perfect pairing or gift  for a celebration of  a  10th anniversary of your marriage, your company founding or any other major event from your life. This is our worldwide round up of the 2012 vintage to help you better choose that celebratory wine..

BORDEAUX

Uneven and cool weather during the spring led to late bud break and a smaller crop throughout Bordeaux in 2012. A warm summer led to ripening, particularly for Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon crops, ripening later, had to deal with September rains. In all and with the exception of Sauterne (which was a disappointment) the 2012 harvest in Bordeaux produced a variety of outstanding wines that will age well, particularly the Merlot based wines.

BURGUNDY

The 2012 growing season in Burgundy was tumultuous with cold weather and hail derailing ripening in a number of appellations. However, careful selection by domaines and good timing with the picking led to a number of very good wines, while yields were lower than normal. The buyer looking for wines to put away will want to carefully choose.

RHONE VALLEY

A warm summer overcame considerable spring rains in the Rhone Valley that led to moderate temperatures as harvest neared. The result was a relatively good vintage in the Rhone with most observers remarking on the elegant nature of the wines and their potential to age well. As always, those looking for an age worthy bottle will want to select carefully, but many of the best Rhône's, particularly from the North, appear to be excellent candidates for continued cellaring.

CHAMPAGNE

Anyone seeking wines from the 2012 vintage to drink now at anniversary celebrations or to put down for future celebrations must consider the 2012 Champagnes. Considered to be among the top vintage for Champagnes currently available, the top 2012s are likely to age beautifully for years if not decades due to near perfect summer and fall weather following spring weather that decreased the crop, but concentrated flavors among the remaining fruit. 

GERMANY

A smaller vintage in Germany followed small vintage during the previous years. This was due to cold conditions during the spring that impacted flowering and set. The great disappointment of the 2012 German vintage was the lack of sweet Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese produced. However, grapes picked during a specific October window produced lovely wines for those looking to use something German for their current anniversary celebrations or to put aside for future celebrations.

SPAIN

A very early harvest due largely to a growing season that progressed through drought conditions led to a very small crop of grapes and with it a small amount of wine relative to normal. Some regions fared better than others including Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Choose carefully if seeking to use a Spanish wine for your anniversaries pegged to 2012.

ITALY

Yields were down across the board in Italy in 2012 while Europe’s boot experienced continued drought. However, those estates that put in the work in the vineyard arrived as some excellent wines, with the Piedmont region appearing to fare somewhat better than others. Many of the best wines that will age well have been described as elegant and structured, meaning excellent aging potential for those looking for Italian wine to aid in celebrations pegged to 2012. 

PORTUGAL

Relatively dry conditions ruled in Portugal in 2012. The disadvantage of this vintage is that it comes in the wake of the universally hailed 2011 Ports. As a result, despite very good wines being made in small amounts, most houses did not declare a vintage port. However, Some, like Quinta do Noval did declare, noting that if the grapes and quality warrant it and if the wine meets the house style, then it should be declared regardless of the vintages that surround it. 

CALIFORNIA

Abundance. This is the key description for the 2012 California harvest — across the state. Weather cooperated to create large yields and easy ripening that result in fruit forward wines, particularly across Napa and Sonoma counties, but also further south and into Santa Barbara County. Some have said the “fruit bomb” quality of these wines will deter their aging, but this is no forgone conclusion. California provides ample selection for those seeking something from the Sunshine State for celebrations linked to 2012. 

OREGON

The 2012 Oregon Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley are considered to be among the finest produced in that region’s history. Cold weather during flowering kept the vintage on the smaller side, but a consistent sunny growing season, in contrast to 2011 and 2010, led to fully ripe wines by harvest. The results are stunning Pinot Noirs that should last for many years.

AUSTRALIA

In some respects the 2012 Australia experience is similar to California. Out of the box vintners and observers considered the 2012 Australian wines (both white and red) to be of outstanding quality and to this day the verdict is that the wines are very good. Some have criticized the wines for being far too big, rich and fruit forward to age, including those from cooler regions. What we know is that despite a smaller than normal crop, the Australian 2012s are sure to delight and in some cases will reward patience.

Wines For People Celebrating a 2012 Anniversary

The wines listed below should deliver great pleasure and serve as an excellent accompaniment to those celebrating a 2012 anniversary. 

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2012 Petrus

2012 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion

2012 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg

2012 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie La Turque

2012 Moet et Chandon Dom Perignon

2012 Dominio de Pingus “Pingus”

2012 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia

2012 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

2012 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir The Upper Terrace 

2012 Penfolds Grange