As soon as the temperature increases, at around March or April, the latent buds develop, burst and expose their down (fuzz) protecting them from frost (this is the bud-burst).
From the fertilization of the flowers one finds the number of berries per bunch.
The flowers are then replaced by the berries (this is the berry setting) the young grape berry grows and forms a “node”.
It is at this moment that we become aware of the quality of the fertilization.
In the month of August, the vine, a biennial plant, nourishes the grapes of that year and furthermore prepares the next year’s harvest. Starting from the leaf or the bunch, a young branch (lateral) starts to grow.
The lateral grows and another new bud then forms.
Then the branch ripens, the cellulose (green) transforms into wood (brown).
(This is the lignification of the wood.)
During summer the grape berries continue to grow as they ripen (This is the maturity) until September.
The anthocyans (that provide the red coulour) the tannins and all of the other necessary elements in producing a good wine, are synthesized. The acidity progressively decreases and the sugar appears: it transforms into alcohol during the alcoholic fermentation.
During the months of October and November, the vines start to lose their leaves (This is the leaf-fall) that end the active growing season of the vine.
SUMMARY : Team | Annual growing season | Annual calendar