The vine goes through diverse phenological stages throughout the year. By the end of July, one of the most important changes in the vine takes place: veraison.

When first bunches of grapes start to appear in the vines in spring, grapes have a green colour because of chlorophyll. With veraison, the grape development period in which the grapes begin to ripen, green colour disappears while turning to red colour, then purple, black or even blue or golden, depending on the grape variety.

This is a turning point as in vast majority of red varieties, the pulp lacks colour and the skin is in charge of giving flavour, aroma, and intensity to wine during fermentation.

Despite we said at the beginning of the article that veraison occurs at the end of the month of July, this is not totally true, as it is well known, date depends on climatology and location where vines are located.

How does the phenomenon of veraison occur?

As tiny grapes grow, water and sugar levels rise, acid levels drop, and skin become thinner. At this magic moment, grapes start the colour change.

Veraison duration is not homogeneous, given that begins in an irregular way on each bunch. Therefore, although it is just needed a couple of days for this process of change to start, the complete change of colour of the bunch can last a couple of weeks.

In this phenological stage, vine stops growing to focus on grape ripening.

With veraison starts the countdown

This phenomenon is not just decisive on the plot, but also in the winery, where certain restlessness and excitement are on edge with the preparations and tune-up before grape entrance.

Although there is still a month after veraison to harvest, we are preparing everything for welcoming or favourite time of the year.