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The cycle of the vine Ep.2

13 August 2021

We are always talking about the Cuvées de Champagne. Today, we want to take you with us to the vineyards, where it all begins!

In this second episode, we will discover together in detail the life cycle of the vine and the work of patience, vigilance and passion that the Winemaker accomplishes throughout the year, to get to the first day of the harvest!

6 - June - The fruit set 

In June, the grapes begin to form in the fertilized flowers which consequently wither and fall. Thus, during the fruit set, the fertilized ovule will give birth to the grape. When the grape appears completely, it is said to be "set". It is then firm, of small size and of green color (chlorophyll).

In the case where the flowering and the fertilization were not complete, it is called the millerandage and the bunch presents a disparity in the dimension of its grains. Some grapes will not develop and will remain in their initial state (small, hard and green in color).

7 - Summer - Growth and leaf removal

During the summer, the grapes are enriched with organic acids and increase in volume. It is during this period that the Winemaker cuts the leaves that could hide the grapes from the sun so that they receive optimal sunlight, as during this year. In the case of a too hot Summer, he will leave them in order to protect the grapes and avoid scald phenomena.

8 - During the summer - The veraison

The growth phase slows down little by little and the berries take on color: this is the veraison!
The color of the berries changes from green to pink and then from blue-red to black for the colored grape varieties and from green to translucent or yellowish for the white grape varieties. This phase lasts about 8 to 15 days and the pulp of the grapes also begins to be enriched in sugars.

August, September - Ripening
During the period of "aûtement", the shoots, which store the materials less oriented towards the grapes, mature. The shoots become woody to protect themselves from winter frosts. The ripening will last until the end of November with the beginning of the appearance of the buds and the outline of the inflorescences of the following year.

9 - Until the harvest - The maturation

This is a very important period in the life of a vine. As the grapes ripen, they gain in sugar and lose in acidity, they reach maturity!

The veraison gives way to a second phase of growth which corresponds to the maturation of the grapes. It lasts from 35 to 55 days, during which the grapes increase in volume while accumulating mineral elements, amino acids, phenolic compounds (such as tannins, aroma molecules ...). Ripening is also a phase of accumulation of sugars in the grapes, because they are no longer used for the development of the fruit, but stored in the grapes. This increase in the concentration of sugars is accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of acids which will then serve as fuel for the energy needs necessary for their development. The variation of the acid content is correlated to the climate. Thus, the cooler the summer, the more acidic the grapes are!

And finally, the first day of harvest arrives!

It is necessary to wait for the very last moment to obtain a perfect maturity. This day is decided when the balance between sugars and acids is reached.

And while waiting for the moment of the harvest, you can discover and taste our Cuvées !

Cin cin et à votre santé! 

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