The harvest

How does the harvest work in France?

In France, the dates for the start of the grape harvest are defined by prefectoral decree for each AOC. Winegrowers can start harvesting on this date, or wait until a later date if they feel the grapes have not reached sufficient maturity. This date is set according to the degree of ripeness desired for the type of wine produced, and the best possible ratio between sugar and acidity. The harvest period is generally 100 days after flowering, but a number of climatic and viticultural factors can influence the ripening date of the grapes: the type of grape variety, the exposure of the plot, the geographical location - vineyards in the south ripen earlier than those in the north - and the style of wine sought. This last factor has a direct impact on the harvest: the first grapes to be picked are those that will be used to make sparkling wines, as they must retain good acidity and not be "too" ripe.

When is the harvest?

Harvesting generally takes place from late August to early October. However, some vineyards that produce sweet wines can harvest later, in late October or even December. This is the case in Alsace (late harvest, selection de grains nobles), the Loire (Layon, Montlouis, Vouvray, Quart de Chaumes, Savennières, Bonnezeaux, Coteaux de l'Aubance, etc.), Sauternes and Jurançon (late harvest). In this case, the aim is to achieve greater concentration of sugars in the grapes. This can be achieved either by "passerillage", when the bunches of grapes are left longer to dry on the vines, or by allowing a fungus to develop, the botrytis cinerea responsible for noble rot. In other countries, the harvest can even be postponed until January, when the grapes are frozen to make ice wine. These harvests are unique in that they take place... at night. Another wine, another elaboration.