Véraison

Grape berries turning color : Véraison

Dear wine lovers,

With about 10 days advance, some of our grapes have started to turn color. This has started last week with Syrah which are now quite advanced compared to Carignan which have just started. Grenache and Mourvèdre should also do their "Véraison" soon.

This important step permit to evaluate an approximate harvest date which is usually 40 days after Véraison. Also, at this point, the berries start to increase their sugar level while decreasing their acidity and are now much more resistant to all vine disease, which means less treatments and, at last, some rest for farmers.

This is the period where all villages around do their "Fête du Vin". The most famous is "la fête de la Véraison" in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The last years, I was attending it without really realizing why farmers have such a relaxed look on their face. Now, I know...

Cheers,

Jean-Marc Espinasse - Domaine Rouge-Bleu