4/30/2023 0 Comments The harvest![]() While mechanical harvesting is used on some estates, many leading chateaux in Bordeaux still pick by hand. Once the winemaker gives the green light to the harvest, a chateau becomes a magical hive of activity. But the next 6 weeks are the most important ones! The green light to start the harvest This year, châteaux owners are telling us that harvest wlll start early (probably end of August) and will take place over a shorter period as we’ve been experiencing steady sunny weather since Spring. It’s this ripeness that results in the wonderful taste sensation that comes with a perfect glass of wine. When all these elements come together, the grape is said to have a ‘full phenolic ripeness’. They can impact colour and aroma as well as taste. The seeds, the skin, the tannins, and the stems can all influence the balance and the quality of the wine. It means the sweetness of the grape itself is just right, but it’s about more than just the grape. Picking too early or too late can affect the balance of the wine – getting it just right is key.Ĭhoosing to harvest means the balance on the vine is just right. Computer data and drones are now widely used to monitor grapes, analyse levels of acid and predict outcomes. However many Bordeaux winemakers are also turning to technology to help take the guess work out of the harvest. By tasting the grapes, an experienced winemaker will know when the time is right to start the harvest. The decision to harvest in Bordeaux will often be made after a winemaker walks a row of vines taste-testing until the grapes meet expectations. The science of winemakingĮxperience and knowledge still play huge roles in winemaking. This process helped by ‘noble rot’, a type of mould that reduces the water content in the grapes and leaves a raison-like texture. Sweet wine grapes are left to dehydrate naturally on the vine. That means some of the last areas to harvest in the Bordeaux region are Sauternes and Monbazillac, both famous for their delightful dessert wines. The last grapes to be harvested are sweet white grapes as late as October. Then come Sémillon grapes later in September, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc – usually but not always in that order. Again it depends on the year, but this generally starts in late August or early September. Grapes destined to for dry white wines – such as Sauvignon Blanc – are usually harvested first. These grapes don’t grow at the same rate or ripen at the same time.ĭifferent grapes ripen at different times. In Bordeaux, for example, there will often be different harvest dates for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, even if they are growing on the same estate. Dates change from year to year, from area to area, and even chateau to chateau.ĭifferent varieties of grapes ripen at different rates. Sometimes the harvest in Bordeaux starts in August, or as late as October. Grapes are usually harvested from September onwards, but this depends on the style of grape, the location and the weather. It can be a stressful time for people working in the industry. The timing of the harvest is perhaps the most importance decision growers, winemakers and chateau owners make all season. Growers need to choose just the right moment to start their harvest in order to ensure the best possible wine makes it into their bottles. The harvest in Bordeaux is a waiting game. It’s the end of a year tending to the vines, lovingly pruning them and watching over them – and praying for the right weather conditions for a quality crop. The harvest in Bordeaux, like in other parts of France, is the fruition of a full year of planning and hard work. The harvest in Bordeaux is all about the wine. It doesn’t include the harvest of grapes for grape juice or table grapes. It refers to the harvest of grapes for wine production. ‘La vendange’ is unique in French culture. It’s an exciting and spectacular time to be in the vineyards of Bordeaux. It’s a time when you can see first-hand how some of the best wine in the world is made. There’s nothing better for a wine lover than to be at the harvest in Bordeaux.
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