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Grape ripening

Mid-august, the grapes evolve faster and faster. It is a good opportunity to plan a little walk in the vineyard. At least, those who are lucky to live close to wine regions...

After the bud burst and the blossoming this spring, there is an other important step in the grape's spread : the Véraison.

From this stage, the grapes have reached their definitive size and shape, they begin to ripen. The color of the berries change and they become translucent. At the same moment, the canes that bear the clusters stop their growth and become brown and woody.

Thanks to a little stroll in the vineyard, you will discover the earlier places where the color of the grapes changes first. You will also notice that all the grapes don't change at the same moment. Have fun trying to recognize the different varieties !

These external signs reveal also the changes in the grape composition. You will just have to taste a few berries to realize it ! First the berries become suppler. The acidity is not that pronounced anymore, the juice gets sweeter, and the typical aromas of some grape varieties appear (Muscat, Gewurztraminer).

This spring, we had already noticed a lead in the vegetal cycle of the vines. The warm and dry weather of the summer has emphasized the earliness of the vintage. That's why the vine growers will be allowed to start the picking of the Crémant d'Alsace the Monday 31^st of August.

At the Paul Buecher estate, we will certainly start the harvest the 7^th or 8^th of September. The first maturity controls show that the grapes are very beautiful and healthy for the moment and they seem to  ripe very fast. More news in a few days !

Sunday 30th of August 2009

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