Written on 16/06/2022
Understanding the vine cycle
It's no secret that the origin of wine is the vine. Without vines, there's no wine.
And for wine to be the best it can be, it needs to be cared for. And to do this, it's important to respect the different stages of the vine cycle and adapt the treatment to each stage.
And that couldn't be more tedious, since the vine cycle is made up of two distinct cycles: the vegetative cycle, which runs from March to mid-November, and the winter cycle, which runs from mid-November to March, when the vines rest.
These distinct cycles actually give rise to ten crucial stages:
1. Early spring - Crying
The vine has been pruned over the winter and is showing signs of cutting. The sap then begins to rise at the tip.
2. Late March to mid-April - Budburst
It's the beginning of a shoot. The first buds appear and begin to swell, revealing a young shoot that will eventually split.
3. Late spring - Leafing out
The vine begins to take on a pretty green color. Leaves grow, unfurl and spread across the vine.
4. Early summer - Flowering
This is when the vines really start to look their best. With the warmth and sunshine, tiny white flowers appear on the vines. They form clusters, like grapes, and can bear up to 100 to 200 flowers.
5. Early June - Fruit set
The flowers explained in the previous step begin to produce grapes. The vine takes on a completely different form.
6. Summer - Stripping
Of course, sunshine and warmth mean leaf growth. But in the vineyard, this isn't always a good sign, which is why the winegrower has introduced leaf removal. This step consists of removing the leaves that might block out the sun from the grapes, so that they get the best possible sunlight for maximum flavor.
7. Summer - Veraison
Previously green, the grapes are now turning purple.
8. Until harvest - Ripening
As the name of the stage so aptly suggests, the grapes are maturing. It is at this stage that they gain sugar and lose acidity.
9. September and October - Harvest
The grapes are ready to be picked. The winegrower can call on the help of small hands for this tedious but enjoyable stage!
10. November to March - Dormancy
The leaves change color and fall. The sap returns to the roots and the vine hibernates until March, the start of the next vegetative cycle.
