Towards the end of spring, our vines began one of the most crucial stages of their annual cycle: flowering . This delicate period was followed by fruit set , which marks the beginning of the transformation of flowers into berries.
In this article, we invite you to discover in detail what happened during this essential period of time, and how these two natural processes shaped our vines and, by extension, our future vintages.

The flowering of the vine

Flowering is an essential stage in the annual cycle of the vine. It generally occurs between late spring and early summer, when weather conditions are favorable. During this period, the buds develop to form clusters of tiny, inconspicuous flowers. Although the flowers of the vine are not particularly showy, their role is crucial. They contain the reproductive organs of the plant, and it is at this stage that pollination takes place: the flowers will open, and allow the pollen to be transported to other flowers by the wind and pollinating insects.

The success of flowering depends on several factors:

• Climatic conditions : Moderate and stable temperatures, as well as an absence of prolonged rains, favor good flowering.
• Vine Health : A well maintained vine, with good nutrition management will produce more robust flowers.

The setting of the vine

After flowering, fruit set is the next phase, where the flowers, once fertilized, turn into berries. This stage is also known as "fruit set". Fruit set begins about a week after flowering, and marks the beginning of the development of future grape clusters.

Factors influencing fruit set include:

• Weather conditions : A stable temperature and good exposure to sunlight are crucial. Temperatures that are too low or too high can affect fruit set.
• Resource management : Adequate irrigation and balanced nutrition are essential to ensure that the vine has enough resources to develop fruit.
• Human interventions : Interventions such as thinning the clusters help manage the fruit load on the vine, thus ensuring better berry quality.

Conditions during flowering and fruit set have an impact on the quality and quantity of the harvest. Successful flowering and fruit set influence not only the yield, but also the organoleptic characteristics of the wine.

Subsequently, as we enter the final stretch before harvesting the grapes, it is essential to carefully monitor the plants to detect the appearance of diseases and, if necessary, carry out the necessary treatments, for example by resorting to a sulphur treatment.

In conclusion, flowering and fruit set are decisive stages in the life cycle of the vine. Careful management and favorable climatic conditions during these periods ensure a quality harvest, thus contributing to the excellence of the wines produced.

We closely monitor these phases to ensure that each vintage reflects the best of our terroir.

GICB - Lands of the Templars