The pruning of our vineyards has been long this year.
We began the work in November last year, and we still have this plot to finish. The low plot of Chardonnays in Loisy-en-Brie.
Not due to lazyness, but rather to tactics. Time will tell if it will work out.
Frost problems 2017
As you may remember, frost was a big problem in 2017. (Report from Decanter )
Not in winter, where cold weather rarely matters as the plants are not active. In spring, however, the buds grow, the young leaves unfold and this is a crucial moment where low temperatures can be very destructive and kill a bud partly or completely. Which will mean that neither branches nor grapes will develop. Thus no yields but also no branches to prune thus no or less yields the following year as well.
Partly frozen
This plot took its part of this sad heritage, but luckilyr it was only partly frozen.
Now is when we get to deal with the problems as in many places there are little or nothing to prune at the bottom. We'll have to continue with the old branches trying to make them survive another year or two until hopefully something will grow at the bottom again.
Delay to protect
The later you prune a vine, the later the buds will burst. Says theory.
Well, we could hardly wait any longer with this plot. Now the snow is gone, the temperatures rise and activity within the vines will resume.
Leaving this plot unpruned until the last minute may help to spare it for another frosty experience. We hope so anyway.
Half of the pruning is done by now, the rest rest should be finished within a week or two.
The rest is waiting.
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