Spring and summer : The blooming period

The winemakers have a lot of work to do in order to produce Sweet Bordeaux wines that you will be able to enjoy at home! In June, following the first buds, the Sweet Bordeaux vines enter in their reproductive cycle, called blooming. This is a key period in the life of the vine. The flowering period doesn’t last long (on average 10 days) and will have impact on the quantity and quality of the grapes but will also help in deciding when to harvest. Again, weather conditions play an important part. Cold and rainy weather during pollination can lead to a sagging phenomenon which will decrease the number and size of the grape berries.

All along the vine’s growth, there are many steps which take place…

As springtime comes along, vines grow quickly, from 5 to 15 centimeters per day. In order to control the vine’s shape, the winemaker must guide the branches by tying, that’s the hitch. The branches touching the ground are lifted up between the rows’ wires. Branches must grow straight towards the sky in order to encourages the ripening of grapes and help machinery go through the vineyard. Once the lift has been done, the winemaker does the topping, also called trimming. By hand or machine, he cuts back the top of the branches that have grown in height. He will have to repeat this task several times in order to have nice regular rows.

This is also the time during which the winemaker removes weeds that grow between rows during winter. During this time, vineyards are particularly vulnerable and can be attacked by fungus and insects. The winemaker has to ensure sufficient phytosanitary protection.

The next vine cycle is the veraison. Semillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle grapes turn from deep green to a new range of colors…