It is time to start splitting hairs, to make important decisions, to look at the sky and the ground. We enter the most important months for the development of the vine, late frosts, hailstorms, powdery mildew, mildew … Anything is possible and events must be anticipated.
The budding started about 10 days late compared to the usual. Winter temperatures in early spring have sustained some development, but, overall, the last few weeks have been rather warm.
In our case, the delay of the budding is positive, since the danger of spring frosts extends until almost the end of May and also storms with hail, until harvest.
In Menade , the first ozone treatment has already been applied, to stop the possible appearance of powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.
In two weeks we will begin with the green pruning , to make the first adjustment of the yields. First, a capacity is allocated, that is, the number of bunches are counted and the optimal production is decided.
Depending on how the spring develops, climatically speaking, in June the yields will be adjusted again if necessary.
During these weeks the vegetal cover crops are also being buried, which in this year were planted with a mixture of legumes. Organic manure was also applied.
As for rain, since the end of the harvest between 250 and 280 liters per square metres have fallen. The coming weeks will be crucial in deciding whether to help the plant with water resources.
The climate and the winemaking decisions that are made now are fundamental to the final result of the wines. All factors are important: the contribution of the cover crop, the bud count and clusters per vine, the water reserves within the soil or the distribution of the leaf mass.
Data, traditional practices in the vineyard and, above all, experience and knowledge are the keys for the vegetative cycle to take its course properly.
