SPRING AWAKENING AND WEEPING: the radical activity of the vine resumes in late spring with the rise in temperatures. Part of the sap comes out of the pruning performed during winter and gets back into circulation. This particular moment is described as the phase of crying or weeping.
BUDDING: after a few days the wounds heal naturally and the buds begin to swell. Shortly thereafter, the buds open, breaking the cottony fabric that has protected them up till then and show the green tips of the shoots.
DISTENDED LEAVES: the buds begin to grow, giving life to the new shoot and the first leaves. Initially covered by a thick hair, with the passing of the days they relax, increase in size and become shinier, starting to perform the precious photosynthesis.
BUNCHES DIFFERENTIATION: on the growing shoot, in addition to the leaves, we can now well reconize the bunches: small and compact, with an almost spongy consistency, they are recognizable even to an inexperienced eye. The rachis (or stalk) begins to lengthen and the flower buds grow grouped.
FLOWER BUTTONS GET SEPARATED AND FLOWERING BEGINS: the floral buttons now ready to open get separated from each other to allow the opening. They are very small but from each one will get developped a grape of the future bunch. In full bloom, between the rows the scent is inebriating. Pollinating insects enter the scene, bees in the lead, starting their work rewarded by the fragrant pollen that is needed for the life of the hive. Respect for these discreet but irreplaceable helpers must never fail.
END OF FLOWERING AND ALLEGATION: the pollinated flowers give rise to small grapes, which grow from almost imperceptible (the size of a peppercorn) to pea, up to their final size. The seeds (grape seeds), the organ of diffusion of plants, take shape in the berries.
VERAISON OR COLOUR CHANGE: towards the end of July the vine begins to concentrate its forces to accumulate nutrients in the berries, abandoning their vegetable green color and beginning to take on the colour of the vine.
MATURATION: the grapes reach the right balance between sugars and acids and the berries get their typical varietal color. At the right time, according to the company’s winemaking choices, the grapes get harvested.
FALL OF LEAVES AND WINTER REST: the cycle is over.
The vine in this phase no longer gives but takes, it begins to accumulate the nutrients of the soil and of the leaves (which dry and fall). All this is necessary to face the cold winter and be ready for the following spring to give life again.
