Chardonnay rules: First leaves out

I believe we are many in Champagne to have enjoyed the summerly temperatures of the last week.

So the girls show their legs, the young men their arms and the very first leaves of the vines have unfold.

The buds gradually change from the small grey hardly visitble knot of winter into a very pink cone that is the last step before the leaf stretches for the sun.


Now new leaves will come out every day until the growth of the plant stops, usually around August where the maturation of the grapes begins.

We can still have frost at night. Should this happen, this may cause damage to the future crop.

So far we try not to think to much about, dress down, enjoy summer. Like the vines.