June The vine starts to flower (floraison) - weather conditions vital. If temperatures are correct (18-20C) flowering will complete within about 10 days. Trimming of shoots, tying down and spraying against insects continues. Vintage will generally take place 100 days after flowering.
July Summer pruning to remove excess foliage and expose the flower sets. Some thinning of sets to ensure compliance with yield requirements. Spraying continues, weeds are tended to, vigorous growth continues and berries have formed.
August Berries start to swell and change colour. Weeding continues but spraying ceases. Vines are kept trimmed and fruit exposed for maximum ripening. Birds must be kept away - netting is sometimes used. Machinery and winery equipment is cleaned and made ready. Warm sunny weather desirable.
September Sugar levels in the grapes increase, colour deepens and acidity levels drop. As grapes continue to swell and ripen, sugar levels are checked on a regular basis using an instrument known as a refractometer. Harvesting of early ripening varieties commences. Vital decisions are taken whether to wait an extra week for more sunshine and more sugar or risk rain and some dilution.
October Harvesting continues in earnest with later ripening varieties. Manual and mechanical harvesting are practised in different regions. Hand picking is still considered the best. Although slow and labour intensive, it minimises damage and allows for greater selectivity of individual grape bunches. Harvesting by machine is expensive but has great speed and flexibility and can be used at night when temperatures are lower. The vintage is usually complete by the second week and the vineyard is tidied, ploughed and spread with fertiliser - often pressed grape skins.
November Soil is redistributed to cover the base of the vines to protect against frost (Buttage). Manure and fertilisers are spread. Pruning and removal of this year's shoots. These are gathered and burned. The sap falls back and the vine returns to its dormant stage.
December Generally a rest month in the vineyard and an opportunity to taste the new vintage. Soil that has been washed away by rain is returned to keep the vine base covered. Winter pruning commences in some regions.
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