Pruning our vines is a crucial moment in the year as we prepare them for the next harvest. Four months of work start in January for agricultural workers. In fact, during this period, the vine is in vegetative rest; in a state of “dormancy”. The leaves have fallen and the flow of the sap is interrupted, it is the ideal time to prune the vine. In general, if the vine is pruned late, it will bud* later, limiting the risk of spring frost.
At the estate, we mostly use Cordon de Royat waist. (picture 1). For this size we keep 2 arms of the vine, with 2 to 3 branches each with 2 buds. This method of cutting is particularly popular in the South of France. Combined with trellising with lifting wires, making it possible to enhance the vegetation and thus limit the accumulation of foliage in the cluster zone, this method allows good aeration and exposure to the sun of the grapes, resulting from homogeneous maturity.
Some of our plots are also cut into cups. (picture 2). The vines are low and grow without being attached, unlike the Cordon de Royat. For this size, you must choose between 2 and 4 spears, divided into candles, which will each bear 2 or 3 buds, which will give the fruits of the year. This method of cutting is traditionally used in the North of the Rhône Valley, because it gives the vines good resistance against wind and drought (due to the freshness of the soil during the day) and also makes it possible to restore the heat of the soil at night. This makes it possible to achieve the right balance.
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But why prune the vines every year?
Pruning limits the natural development of the vine and regulates the quantity of grapes. The clusters produced will therefore have better concentration and will be more qualitative. Pruning contributes to the quality of the harvest, by producing beautiful, juicy and aromatic clusters for a great wine tasting!
*vine bud break = start of the vine in spring, after the dormancy phase
