The reign of Ugni blanc

The Ugni blanc is the predominant variety of vines, about 98 %.  After the phylloxera disaster at the end of XIX century, Ugni blanc replaced Colombard and Folle Blanche. This variety is more resistant to grey rot especially.
The late maturing Ugni Blanc,  is also appreciated for its high acidity level and low alcohol content.

The two historical varieties have progressively disapperead. However, a few winegrowers still have such vines.

And in fact, all the varieties used have been previously grafted on  various vinestocks according to the type of soil where they will grow.

Type of soils in delimited area

Clayey, chalky thin soils for the Champagne (grande champagne & petite champagne), clay and flint stones for the Borderies, clayey, chalky soils known as «groies» very similar to those of the Champagne Crus, except for their red colour and hard stones in Fins Bois… The soils are quite different depending from the delimited area. Subject for a next post !

About 6 months from budbreak to harvest in pictures

April : budbreak time

Delicate fragance vine flower

from flower to tiny berries

june : what we call small peas

july closing of the cluster

August : the veraison  berries become translucent in the sun.

L’article From green to translucent, the veraison est apparu en premier sur Living In Cognac Land.