Page 5 - N°71 juillet 2023 GB

Flowering
Flowering
A fragrant eclipse!
A fragrant eclipse!
Almost magical, usually discreet owing to its fresh,
ethereal, very fleeting, herbaceous and green fragrance,
even if it does not go unnoticed by professionals,
flowering is a key stage in the vine’s lifecycle, as grape
production and therefore the future harvest depend on it.
This year, conditions were very favourable for flowering,
despite the wind and a few scattered showers, which
caused the occasional coulure on an overall generous
crop, which was not really affected in the end.
Flowering lasted an average of 10 days this year.
This rather generous 2023 flowering
season led to wonderful bunches of grapes
throughout the following dates:
Gearing up f
Gearing up f 31 May: first flowers in Côte de Beaune
on the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties
or harvests! 3 June: first flowers in Côte de Nuits
or harvests!
We are heading towards what we continue to call 6 June: first flowers in Hautes-Côtes de Nuits
an ‘early’ harvest, probably at the end of August, end of flowering in Côte de Beaune
compared with the traditional September dates. mid-flowering in Côte de Nuits
Climate change has knocked a month off our growing 13 June: end of flowering in Hautes Côtes de Nuits
cycle over the last thirty years or so! Whereas in the 2-3mm berries in Côte de Beaune
past, harvesting began 100 days after flowering, today 1-3 mm berries in Côte de Nuits
the vagaries of the weather, such as heat spikes that
often prevent ripening and postpone harvesting,
or low temperatures and rain, contribute to the
uncertainty of pinpointing D-Day accurately.
Our forecasts for this year are guided by the generally
excellent weather. Warmth and sunshine helped the
vines grow rapidly, while a certain amount of humidity
from scattered showers and heavy thunderstorms
helped the berries to swell. In addition, the regular
wind contributed to the excellent health of the vines.
Like every year, however, organisation is the key to
success, and anticipation is its prime requirement.
The cellar is ready to welcome another harvest, and
we are finishing preparing the barrels, both old and
new, and cleaning the entire cellar and vat room…

Flowers in the Clos du Prieuré on June 3rd